It looked as if the match was destined to end in deadlock at 1-1, after Chonburi's Fabiano and Daniel Allsopp of Melbourne traded goals.

But Stephane Baga came off the bench with 20 minutes to go and bagged a brace to win the game for the hosts, who had Arthit Suntornphit dismissed five minutes from time.

Merrick said: "Chonburi played very well. They have good speed and are quick on the counter attack. I am looking forward to the return game in Melbourne.

"In the first half, Chonburi played well when Fabiano scored and we had to try and keep the score as it was in the first half.

"Baga also played very well. We kept pressing in the second half to keep the game alive."

Opposite number Jadet Meelarp saw his side move to the top of Group G on goal difference, but insists he is taking nothing for granted.

He said: "I am not thinking about the quarter finals because this group is very tough. We have to play an away match with Melbourne yet and have also got two big games with Chunnam Dragons.

"We prepared two plans for this match. The first was to attack from the flanks. When that did not work we used the second plan, which involved attacking down the middle and it worked well.

"Towards the end of the second half, the Melbourne players were getting tired, so we brought Baga on to use his speed and attack them down the centre and it worked."