Kuching against Gangwon brings together two attacks that have struggled to turn their routes into goals in this competition. Svay Rieng against Tampines is a clear level gap at home, against a visitor whose block has already been broken by this same front four. In one match the question is finishing on both sides, in the other it is whether the stronger side converts.
Gangwon keep the ball and press, but in this group they have scored once from open play in three games. The first XI won the first meeting with fifteen shots and only three on target, then managed the game with the ball after the 28th minute. The second string drew at Kitchee and lost at home to Phnom Penh, scoring only from a penalty. Kuching have lost their striker Ngah Wanja and centre-back Peres, and have two goals in three group games. Both clubs have a bigger fixture three days later, the Kuching coach talked about managing legs, and it is a humid evening after a long flight for the visitors. Whichever Gangwon XI starts, the game should be slow and low on clear chances. That's why I'm siding with a tight, low-scoring match in Kuching.
Tampines have lost all three group games. They had two shots to twenty-one at home to Machida and gave this Svay Rieng side six shots on target and four first-half goals a week ago. Their own coach said two of those goals came from losing the ball in build-up, and he flagged the bigger, softer pitch and a tough week. Svay Rieng out-shot Shenhua heavily at home, so they will have territory. The real question is converting it against a deeper block, and Tampines' block is far softer than Shenhua's. That's why I'm on Svay Rieng at home.
