Bangkok: Full-back Tristan Do has insisted hard work is behind Muangthong United’s impressive start in the 2017 AFC Champions League as the unbeaten Thai champions prepare to host 2012 winners Ulsan Hyundai on Wednesday.
Muangthong currently sit second in Group E after picking up their first-ever win in the continental competition – a 2-1 victory at home to Kashima Antlers at the end of February – in between scoreless draws at Brisbane Roar and Ulsan.
And with two of their three remaining games to be played in front of home support at Thunderdome Stadium, Muangthong are now eyeing what would be their first round of 16 appearance.
Tristan Do on Muangthong's AFC Champions League hopes
“I’m not really surprised [by how Muangthong have started] because we had a really great season last year,” said defender Do, who helped his side win their first league title since 2012 in his debut season with the club after signing from BEC Tero Sasana.
“We have a lot of national team players who know what the top level in Asia is like because they have played in the World Cup qualifying games, so I’m not really surprised – this is the result of a lot of work.”
After making his Thailand debut in 2015, Do has been a regular fixture in the Southeast Asians’ team that reached the third round of FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 qualifiers in which they have been paired with many of the best sides in Asia.
And although Thailand have struggled against the elite – they sit bottom of Group B on just a solitary point and are unable to advance to Russia – Do believes Muangthong have been able to succeed where the War Elephants have failed.
“With the national team right now we see that it’s always better to begin well,” added Do, who was one of eight Muangthong players in Thailand’s starting line-up for 4-0 defeat in Japan last month.
“Everything you take [in terms of points], you don’t have to take anymore. I would say if we can get 10 points we can qualify, so if we win our home games it could be great.”
Having already picked up half of Do’s target, victory against Ulsan on Wednesday would open up a four-point gap over the South Koreans and leave Muangthong needing just one win from two games to advance.
The Thai-side’s only home game to date in the competition – which was played at Supachalasai National Stadium – resulted in their maiden AFC Champions League win and what could well be a pivotal moment as Spanish forward Xisco scored deep into stoppage time to claim a 2-1 victory.
Muangthong claim first-ever AFC Champions League victory
“We won right at the end, it was the last second of the game so it was a really, really big moment,” said Do.
“It was amazing. In football, when you win like that, it can be any game – a Champions League game or a Thai game – when you win at the end it is something special.”
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com