Diogo continued his remarkable scoring start to the season with a hat-trick to seal a hard-won three points in a 3-2 win at Ubon. The home side made Buriram fight all the way in an entertaining encounter which still leaves the reigning champions unbeaten at the top.
Buriram were without Tunez (presumably injured) and Praweenwat moved into the centre and Jungsoo came in at left back.
Buriram made their customary good start when they took the lead in the 3rd minute. The keeper put one of his defenders in trouble with a careless pass wide on the Buriram right and Edgar pounced to take the ball away from him and then calmly pulled it back for Diogo to smash into the net.
It was the Brazilian’s 100th goal for the club and Khun Newin presented him with a shirt to mark the occasion.
It should have been two in the 11th minute when a lucky rebound left Edgar with a clear chance but saying he made a bit of a mess of it is being kind. Buriram continued to control the game and when Korrakot sent over a free-kick in the 23rd minute, Diogo flashed in a header which the keeper miraculously turned away from point-blank range. He certainly made up for his earlier error.
Having posed very little threat to the Buriram defence, Ubon levelled in the 26th minute. A right-wing cross hit an Ubon player and rebounded perfectly for Hartmann to lash past the helpless Siwarak.
Buriram responded well and regained the lead in the 35th minute. Narubadin made a great run down the right and got to the byline before pulling the ball back low. It took a deflection which left Diogo with the simplest of close-range finishes. Narubadin is certainly looking a real threat now and he has improved the quality of his end-product no end.
Three minutes from the interval Jakkaphan tried his luck from distance which produced a good save from the keeper.
A good half for Buriram who deserved their lead. One interesting observation is that Supachok was playing very deep for much of the half whereas he is most dangerous playing just behind the front two.
Supachai came on for Edgar at the start of the second-half. The striker was struggling after taking a knock just before the interval.
Ubon equalized for the second time in the 52nd minute, though it was somewhat controversial. A low right-wing free-kick was met at the near-post by Nattawat and Siwarak got down well to seemingly keep the ball out. However, the assistant referee awarded a goal. Having watched replays from various angles, it is impossible to say with any certainty that the ball had crossed the line. One time it looks a goal, another it doesn’t. It had to be pure guesswork by the official.
Buriram then had a great chance to regain the lead in the 61st minute when Supachai played the ball in from the right and Jakkaphan headed it back to the unmarked Supachok but the finish was tame and the keeper saved easily.
A minute later Narubadin burst into the right-side of the penalty area before being blocked by a defender. The referee waved play on but I’ve seen penalties given for less. Buriram had another chance in the 64th minute when a long ball in from the left found Diogo free but this time the finish was disappointing and the keeper made a comfortable save.
Narubadin was unlucky to pick-up a yellow card in the 72nd minute before Buriram scored again. Ratthanakorn made a great run down the left before getting to the byline and pulling the ball back for Diogo’s emphatic finish.
When you watch closely, you can see just how good a striker Diogo really is. He moved back and two yards to his left to give Rattanakorn the perfect angle to tee the ball up for him. That is instinctive, something you can’t really coach.
Buriram saw out the rest of the game without too many alarms and they brought Suchao and Sasalak on for Ratthanakorn and Supachok to strengthen the defence.
This was never going to be an easy game as Ubon are very good at home. The three points were welcome and Diogo again showed what he means to the side. It is to be hoped he remains injury-free as there is no-one else who can finish like him.
Next up is Chonburi at home on Saturday March 31, 5.45pm.