Melbourne City’s hopes for automatic qualification through to the AFC Champions League round of 16 took a hit as Patrick Kisnorbo’s side drew 0-0 with BG Pathum United FC at Pathum Thani Stadium on Wednesday night.
BG Pathum were the Group G leaders ahead of the Wednesday night clash. City had the chance to jump into top spot with a win but could only secure a point, moving to nine points from five games with BG Pathum increasing their tally to 11.
Isuzu UTE A-League rivals Sydney FC also face an uphill battle in their bid to reach the knockout rounds heading into Thursday night’s penultimate Group H fixture against Jeonbuk Motors.
THE QUALIFICATION EQUATION
How City can qualify for the round of 16 from here
City’s 0-0 draw against BG Pathum on Wednesday night makes it harder for City progress to the ACL last 16 – but not impossible.
There’s two ways for the A-League Men champions and leaders can progress:
1. Finish on top of Group G
Should Melbourne City defeat Philippines outfit United City in their final group game, and BG Pathum lose to Jeonnam Dragons, then the Australian club will finish on top of Group G and secure qualification to the round of 16.
2. Finish as one of the three best second-placed sides
There are 10 Champions League groups split into two regions: the West (Groups A-E) and the East (Groups F-J).
From each region, the three best runners-up will progress to the round of 16, along with the 10 group winners.
City are in Group G. Their nine points put them well within contention to finish as one of the three-best runners up from Groups F-J, with only Urawa Reds (10) and Ulsan Hyundai (10) registering more points at the end of Wednesday’s games.
Group J consists of three teams after Shanghai Port’s withdrawal from the competition. This means that for groups F-I, at the conclusion of the group stage all results against the fourth-placed team in each group will be discarded when calculating the three best second-place finishers.
3. And what about Sydney FC?
City are in a much better position, but there is still a small glimmer of hope for Steve Corica’s Sydney FC.
Bottom of Group H, Sydney meet unbeaten South Korean giants Jeonbuk Motors with just two points to their name through four matchdays.
Jeonbuk occupy second position in the group and the possible qualification spot on eight points, one behind leaders Yokohama F.Marinos and six clear of Sydney.
A Sydney win would move the Sky Blues – who have an inferior goal difference of -4 – within three points of Jeonbuk heading into their final match against Hoang Anh Gia Lai.
KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you up-to-date coverage as Melbourne City’s maiden Champions League campaign continued on Wednesday night.
RECAP: MELBOURNE CITY 0-0 BG PATHUM UNITED
The final whistle blows to conclude a goalless draw at Pathum Thani Stadium.
It’s a point apiece for City and BG Pathum, with the latter remaining on top of Group G with one game to play.
81′: Chances at both ends (0-0)
Both teams go close to finding the opener in rapid time, with Jamie Maclaren’s close-range shot thwarted by the outrushing Kittipong, before Diogo’s long-range strike faded just wide of the top-right corner down the other end.
76′: Time running out for City (0-0)
There’s less than a quarter of an hour to play with City needing all three points to replace BG Pathum at the top of Group G.
54′: CHANCE! Jamieson goes close from range (0-0)
That was close from Scott Jamieson. The City captain burst through midfield toward the penalty area, striking off his left peg toward the bottom-left corner.
Kittipong Phuthawchueak got down to his left to palm the ball around the post, conceding a corner which City failed to capitalise on.
46′: SECOND HALF (0-0)
Brazilian forward Diogo comes on for BG Pathum as the second half gets underway, replacing striker Ikhsan Fandi who went down under a challenge from Scott Jamieson late in the first half.
HALF TIME: CITY 0-0 BG PATHUM
There’s a moment of tension at the half-time whistle as BG Pathum attempt to attack instantaneously after a drop ball, catching City’s defence by surprise.
The referee’s whistle blew to signal half-time, with City’s players and staff angered by the host’s cheeky attempt to spring an attack.
40′: Long-distance Pathum strike goes wide (0-0)
Chatmongkol Thongkiri’s ambitious strike from range calls Glover into a dive, but the ball darts past the right-hand goalpost. It’s the latest half-chance in a series for the hosts as Pathum get on top late in the second half.
23′: CHANCE! Dangda strike saved by Glover (0-0)
Dangda’s failure to make proper purchase on a first-time strike from a cross whipped along the ground into the box gave Glover the time to get across to his right and make the save to keep City’s sheet clean.
9′: Glover to the rescue (0-0)
City survive their first defensive test, with BG Pathum attempting to score via their first corner of the evening.
The ball whipped to the front post bounced through bodies before being flicked on toward goal by Teerasil Dangda; his attempt fell to Pathompol Charoenrattanapirom in the goal mouth, but City keeper Tom Glover got down quickly to collect the loose ball.
4′: Nabbout looking lively (0-0)
A dangerous cross of the right flank by Andrew Nabbout looked set to find the head of Jamie Maclaren at the back post, before the BG Pathum defence cleared the danger.
1′: KICK-OFF (0-0)
We’re underway at Pathum Thani Stadium!
TEAM NEWS
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