The much anticipated clash between champions Muang Thong and a Buriram side desperate to put last season behind them, did not disappoint. However, it wasn’t a ding-dong affair as Buriram dominated the game from start to finish. With a near-capacity crowd the atmosphere was electric as Buriram romped to a 2-0 victory.
Every single Buriram player was a hero as they played with a committment and passion that their illustrious opponents could not live with. The often suspect defence was rock-solid and Siwarack only had a couple of saves to make as the visitor’s failed to create a single clear-cut chance.
At the other end, Buriram got behind the Muang Thong defence on numerous occasions and the only surprise is that Buriram did not score more. Diogo and Coelho caused no end of problems and if they had been more willing to shoot rather than pass to a colleague then the scoreline would have had a more realistic look about it.
Buriram were not helped by a referee who was to put it mildly, a little biased. Muang Thong got away with numerous obvious fouls as well as escaping two clear-cut penalty shouts. Buriram on the other hand were penalised if they even touched an opponent. It was back to the old days and it was quite frankly, embarrassing.
The game got off to a bizarre start as the referee allowed Muang Thong to kick off before Buriram were able to get lined up following the usual team huddle. It was a sign of things to come.
Buriram started brightly and in the 2nd minute Coelho sent Diogo racing clear down the right but the cross was too deep. However, the home side came back two minutes later to score the early goal they craved.
Diogo was teasing Theerathon wide right and the defender responded with a tackle that even this referee had to penalize. Korrakot sent over a perfect free-kick, delivered at pace, which Coelho met with a powerful header that gave Kawin no chance.
Muang Thong were visibly shaken but responded with a couple of forays that the Buriram defence dealt with fairly easily. The home team carved out another great chance in the 13th minute when Jakkaphan set Diogo away down the right for the Brazilian to send over a good cross which Anon laid back for Jakkaphan to fire hopelessly wide.
Siwarak was called into action for the first time in the 28th minute when he dived low to his right to turn a long-range shot round the post. However, Buriram continued to press and were dangerous on the break.
They almost got a second three minutes from the interval when Korrakot’s vicious inswinging right-wing corner was headed over by Seul-Ki at the near-post.
A minute later Coelho went down in the box following a heavy challenge but the referee waved play on. Seul-Ki then vented his frustrations with a tackle that received a deserved yellow card.
An excellent firt-half, far and away Buriram’s best football of the season.
At the start of the second period, Seul-Ki was lucky to stay on the pitch when he pulled Chanathip’s shirt and the referee awarded the foul but did not issue a second yellow which should have been mandatory.
Buriram came close to adding a second in the 48th minute when Korrakot floated a free-kick to the back-post for Ottesen to head back across goal,only for Diogo to head over.
Six minutes later a great team move sent Coelho charging into the box only for the big striker to be brought down from behind. It was a nailed-on penalty but of course, not given.
After 67 minutes the excellent Anon was replaced by Phanuphong as Buriram continued to look the more likely to score.
Shortly after Buriram were denied again when a ball into the box was clearly handled and the ball fell to Jakkaphan who curled a shot just wide of the far-post. A bad decision.
Buriram then carved the Muang Thong defence open again in the 74th minute when a lovely ball from Phanuphong played Diogo into the left side of the box but he elected to cross instead of shoot and the chance was gone.
Jakkaphan then received a yellow card for a clumsy challenge before Buriram finally put the game to bed with a superb goal six minutes from time.
Phanuphong again found Diogo with a delightful ball down the left and the Brazilian got to the byline before sending over a dangerous low cross which Suchao, coming off his marker, skillfully turned inside the far-post with the outside of his right-foot.
Shortly after Diogo was denied the goal he richly deserved when he let fly only for Kawin to make a great save, diving to his right to turn the ball round the post.
Deep into stoppage time Muang Thong had Brazilian Ceilio sent off for a second yellow to compound a miserable night for them
So a wonderful team effort which leaves Buriram only one point behind Muang Thong. For me, there was no man-of-the-match, everyone played their part. The lesson to be learned is that this is how Buriram should be playing every game, regardless of the opposition. No walking-pace football.
The next game is Sunday April 9, Ubon away, kick-off 6pm.