NewsBite

Central Coast Mariners lose to Buriram United in AFC Champions League Elite clash at home

An Australian once on the books of a Premier League club has sunk Central Coast Mariners in a stunning AFC Champions League Elite defeat to Thai club Buriram United.

The big issues facing Tony Popovic

Central Coast Mariners have slumped to a dismal home defeat in the AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday, stunned 2-1 at home by Thailand’s Buriram United and finishing the match with 10 men.

Buriram’s Brazilian striker Guilherme Bissoli opened the scoring in the 30th minute at Gosford, north of Sydney, poking home Dion Cool’s cross from the right-hand flank.

And it was an Australian, Curtis Good, who added the second after 50 minutes.

The central defender, who was once on Newcastle United’s books in the English Premier League, rose unmarked to head home Goran Causic’s cross.

It got worse for the Mariners seven minutes later as goalkeeper Adam Pavlesic was given a straight red card when he raced from his area to scythe down Bissoli, who had beaten the offside trap.

The A-League team did get a consolation in the fifth minute of injury time, Lucas Mauragis firing home a sweet strike from outside the box but it was too little too late.

Buriram remain unbeaten after two rounds of the rebranded Asian Champions League after a goalless draw at home to Japan’s Vissel Kobe on match day one.

Central Coast, who lost 3-1 at China’s Shandong Taishan in week one, are bottom of the 12-team East Zone league table.bur-dh/sn

Originally published as Central Coast Mariners lose to Buriram United in AFC Champions League Elite clash at home

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/football/central-coast-mariners-lose-to-buriram-united-in-afc-champions-league-elite-clash-at-home/news-story/10d6a351f54d35923aff4f0f9d27d019