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.

Buriram United players (in blue) celebrate a goal during the AFC Champions League Elite football match between Australia’s Central Coast Mariners and Thailand’s Buriram United at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford on October 1, 2024. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

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.

Central Coast Mariners go down to 10 men after a tackle from goalkeeper Adam Pavlesic outside of his penalty area.

Mark Jackson's side trail Buriram United 2-0 in the second-half of their AFC Champions League Elite match.

Catch the action live on Paramount+ now. 📺 pic.twitter.com/nEYP08SQX2

— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) October 1, 2024

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