Buriram held high-flying Bangkok United to a goal-less draw at a very wet I-Mobile stadium. It was an entertaining game, although neither goalkeeper had a serious save to make. Buriram welcomed back Diogo and new signings Moreira, Korrakot and Sieghart made their debuts and all can be happy with their performance.
It will take time for them to settle in but there were obvious signs that there are better times ahead. The passing was sharper and crisper and the movement off the ball was was hugely improved. For me, the most impressive newcomer was Chitpanya who came on as a second-half substitute. He is quick, direct and looks to be an outstanding prospect.
A deluge just before the game started made conditions difficult as players struggled to keep their feet and they found it difficult to gauge their passing as the ball sped off the wet surface.
It was an uneventful opening as both sides tried to adjust to the tricky playing surface. Diogo tried his luck from long range before Korrakot sent over a superb left-wing cross which was just too high for Moreira.
On the half-hour mark the whole crowd held its breath as Diogo fell heavily in the box and there was a collective sigh of relief when he was able to continue without treatment.
Four minutes later Anawin sent over a good cross from the right and Diogo rose well to head the ball back towards the far-post but the defence scrambled it away.
Shortly after, Tunez received a yellow card after former Buriram favourite Macena threatened to run clear down the right. In the forty-second minute a long ball into the box saw Moreira inches away from flicking a header over the keeper who was off his line.
Deep into stoppage time a right-wing cross caused panic in the Bangkok box as the ball pinged about but no Buriram player was able to get in a clear shot on goal. So all-square at the interval with the game being enjoyable but lacking in real goal-mouth incident.
Chitpanya came on for Anawin for the second-half . Two minutes in Diogo made a typical surging run forward which resulted in Moreira’s shot being blocked.
In the fiftieth minute the ball found Diogo in the area and despite twisting and turning, he was unable to get in a shot and the ball then fell to Chitpanya with the same result.
Siwarak had to be alert in the sixty-fourth minute when he got down well to hold a well-struck low shot. Shortly after Sakeereen came on for Sieghart to be the fifth player to make his debut.
Buriram were inches away from breaking the deadlock in the sixty-seventh minute when Chitpanya was fortunate with a rebound and he clipped the ball over the keeper but just wide.
Korrakot then received a yellow card for having his foot too high. Ten minutes from time Moreira almost became an instant hero when Sakeereen did well to cross from the right and the Portuguese striker got in front of his marker to power a header inches wide of the near-post.
Three minutes later a right-wing cross saw the loose ball picked up by Chitpanya but he screwed his shot just wide. Then Sakeereen was wide with a header from a left-wing cross.
Well into stoppage time Diogo was flattened (not for the first time) just outside the area but the free-kick came to nought.
So honours even, though Buriram certainly had the better of it and were a little unlucky not to take all three points. All the new players looked the part and as stated previously , the future is looking brighter.
Next games are Wednesday June 29 Siam Navy (A) Thai League, 6pm and Sunday July 3 Chiang Rai (H) Thai League, 7pm.