Thai clubs start AFC Champions League campaigns

Buriram United's Supachok Sarachat.

Thai League 1 sides Buriram United and Port will play in the second play-off round of the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

Thai League 1 runners-up Buriram host Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City FC, while FA Cup winners Port meet the Philippines' Ceres Negros at PAT Stadium in one-off matches.

Buriram and Port are seen as favourites in Tuesday's matches.

Buriram forward Suphanat Mueanta.

Buriram will be led by forwards Supachok Sarachat, Supachai Chaided and Suphanat Mueanta who recently played for Thailand in the AFC U23 Championship.

The winners of the tie will travel to Shanghai SIPG with a place in the ACL group stage at stake.

Port technical chairman Jadet Meelarp told a press conference yesterday that his team had studied tapes of Ceres' matches.

"We are stronger than we were last season because we have several new players," Jadet said.

"We will have the home-field advantage and we believe that we can do it."

Ceres Negros coach Risto Vidakovic said: "Port are a good team and have several strong players like Sergio Suarez and Heberty Fernandes. But we will play with our strong defence for a good result," said Vidakovic.

The winners of the game will next visit FC Tokyo.

Thai League 1 champions Chiang Rai United are the only team from the Kingdom to earn a direct entry into the ACL group stage this year.