PETALING JAYA: Losing two key players could derail most teams, but Buriram United coach Mark Jackson (pic) believes the Thai giants have enough depth to overcome the absence of suspended duo Guilherme Bissoli and Goran Gausic.
Brazilian forward Bissoli and Serbian midfield playmaker Gausic will miss today’s first-leg final of the Asean Club Championship Shopee Cup against Selangor at the Petaling Jaya Stadium after both were sent off in last week’s semi-final second leg against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in Buriram.
Despite the setback, Jackson remains confident his side can rise to the occasion.
“Losing players like that is a massive blow, but as a group we will find a way,” said the Englishman.
“That is why we have a squad and it also creates opportunities for other players.”
Jackson still has several quality options at his disposal.
In place of Bissoli, who is the tournament’s joint top scorer with seven goals, Buriram can turn to Thai international Suphanat Muenta or Singapore striker Ikhsan Fandi.
To fill the void left by Gausic, Jackson could rely on Austrian midfielder Peter Zulj, as well as Thai internationals Phitiwat Sukjitthammakul and veteran defender-turned-midfielder Teerathon Bunmathan.
Buriram booked their place in a second straight final after edging JDT 4-3 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
Today’s clash will mark the second meeting between Selangor and Buriram in this season’s competition.
Since taking over from former coach Osmar Loss, Jackson has guided Buriram through the remainder of the campaign with two wins and a draw to reach the knockout rounds before overcoming JDT in the semi-finals.
Now bringing his team to Malaysia, the Englishman is confident his side will be fully prepared for the first leg.
“The staff and I always study everything in depth about the opponent, the venue, the weather conditions and all the details around the match,” he said.
“The preparation behind the scenes from the staff at the club has been fantastic and we will be fully prepared for the final.”
