Chonburi set ambush for unwary Koreans

Chonburi FC coach Withaya Laohakul has warned K-League side Pohang Steelers not to underestimate his charges when the two battle for a berth in the AFC Champions League today in Pohang, South Korea.

The Thailand Premier League runners-up earned a crack at a place in the lucrative group stage of Asia's elite club competition after Buriram PEA completed a historic domestic treble last season including the FA Cup, which gives the winners a playoff spot.

The one-off tie against three-time Champion League winners Pohang hands Chonburi a chance to reach the competition proper, following their debut campaign in 2008 when they were eliminated in the group stage.

In the prematch conference for the game at Pohang Steelyard stadium, Pohang coach Hwang Sun Hong, whose side are heavily fancied to secure qualification, said he already begun plotting a strategy to reach the later stages of the tournament.

Withaya acknowledged the KLeague club's status as favourites, bolstered by the freezing temperatures in Pohang, but said his opposite number's comments could work in Chonburi's favour.

"I think it actually might be good for us that [the Korean coach] has overlooked our team. That will give our players a strong desire to prove him wrong.

"It's no doubt they are formidable in attack. However, our defence will present a good test for them.I believe we can find the winners in 90 minutes," said Withaya.

A draw after 90 minutes would send the game into 30 minutes of extra time, with a penalty shootout required if the scores stay level.

The winners will enter Group G alongside Australia's Adelaide United, Gamba Osaka of Japan and Uzbekistan's Bunyodkor, while the losing side drop to the AFC Cup group stage.

TPL champions Buriram have been drawn in Group H along with China's Guangzhou Evergrande, KLeague outfit Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and JLeague winners Kashiwa Reysol.