Al Ahli end Buriram's ACL run

Thailand's Buriram United crashed out ofthe AFC Champions League Elite title race following their 3-0 quarter-final loss to Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Saturday night.

- TOR CHITTINAND

Al Ahli turned on the power in the first half, racing to a three-goal lead as they set up a tantalising semi-final encounter with fellow Saudi Arabia side Al Hilal, who defeated Gwangju FC 7-0 on Friday.

Al Ahli made Buriram pay when a mistake from Sasalak Haiprakhon in the fourth minute saw Roberto Firmino gain possession before setting up Riyad Mahrez to drill the ball into the bottom left corner.

Buriram barely had time to regroup as they fell further behind two minutes later after a neat through pass from Ibanez found Galeno, who sidestepped keeper Neil Etheridge to slot the ball into the back of the net.