Vietnam footballer impresses in AFC Champions League debut at Thai club

By Xuan Binh   April 10, 2019 | 01:39 am PT
Vietnam footballer impresses in AFC Champions League debut at Thai club
Luong Xuan Truong makes his AFC Champions League debut in Buriam United jersey. Photo courtesy of Buriam United FC
Midfielder Luong Xuan Truong left a mark in Buriram United’s 1 - 3 home defeat to Beijing Guoan in a group stage AFC Champions League match Tuesday.

Since joining Buriram on loan from Hoang Anh Gia Lai at the start of the season, Truong has had modest playing time. Despite being named in Buriram’s Champions League squad, he did not play in the club’s two previous matches against Jeonbuk Motors and Urawa Red Diamond.

Tuesday night marked Truong’s maiden Champions League appearance as he was subbed for Jakkaphan Kaewprom in the 79th minute, when Buriram was already three goals down to Beijing Guoan. Former Villarreal striker Cedric Bakambu was Buriram’s tormentor, netting all three in less than an hour.

Seconds after coming off the bench, Truong made an immediate impact with a smooth one-touch cross to another sub Suphanat Mueanta, who had no trouble sending it through the keeper’s legs to earn the Thunder Castles a consolation goal, making Mueanta the youngest ever goal scorer in AFC Champions League history at 16 years and 8 months.

This was Buriram’s second loss in three matches in the competition, which saw them drop down to bottom spot with just three points. Their only victory came against South Korea’s Jeonbuk Motors, who are sitting at the top of the table with six points. A spot in the knockout round, however, is still within touching distance for the Thai club with three matches to play.

Buriram United will return to Thai League on April 19 when they play Trat at home, and Vietnamese supporters are keen to see if Truong can impress again.

 
 
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