Jiangsu wary of challenge posed by Buriram
Thai side have a strong record in competition and will be tough to be beat tonight, coach says
Buriram United made such an impression in last year's AFC Champions League, Jiangsu Sainty coach Dragan Okuka is preaching caution ahead of his side's meeting with the Thai Premier League side tonight.
The Thai team handed Guangzhou Evergrande a 2-1 defeat at Tianhe Stadium early in the 2012 competition after registering a victory over then-J.League champions Kashiwa Reysol before running out of gas and narrowly missing out on a place in the knockout phase of the competition.
Guangzhou went on to reach the last eight and retain the Chinese Super League title, but the impact of that loss to the Thais has been seared into the memories of many of the mainland's football watchers.
"We have a strong opponent this time," said Okuka, whose side picked up their first-ever point in the competition three weeks ago with a 0-0 draw against Japan's Vegalta Sendai.
Last year they beat Guangzhou Evergrande and nearly qualified. This year they drew the first two games. They play football in an aggressive way
Last year they beat Guangzhou Evergrande and nearly qualified. This year they drew the first two games. They play football in an aggressive way, but we are confident, too
"We hope to repeat the performance against Sendai and have a good result."