After strolling to a 2-0 interval lead, Buriram almost let the game slip away with an inexplicable lack-lustre second-half display. They allowed the visitors who were there for the taking to get back into the game and create a number of chances which could well have been taken.
Buriram were saved from embarrassment by a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping as the ever-dependable Siwarak came to the rescue.
It had all started so well for Buriram as they dominated from the start. Praweenat moved to left-back with Junsoo dropping to the bench. Jakkaphan returned to the side but yet again left many supporters wondering just how he can be chosen ahead of younger, more talented players.
Both he and Korrakot were hugely disappointing and against tougher opposition Buriram would really have been up against it.
Buriram almost made the perfect start in the 2nd minute when the impressive Narubadin broke down the right and crossed low for Edgar to lay the ball back for the unmarked Jakkaphan to send a lame shot straight at the keeper.
Two minutes later another Narubadin right-wing cross took a deflection and dropped onto the top of the crossbar. It was Narubadin again in the 7th minute when he pounced on a loose ball and surged forward, only to be brought down heavily from behind. Korrakot wasted the free-kick, as he did on several occasions.
Buriram then produced a flowing move with some delightful one-touch football which left Diogo free down the right and he sent over an inch-perfect cross which Edgar headed wide when he really should have scored.
Buriram finally took the lead in the 23rd when Edgar’s persistence down the left saw the ball crossed low and the keeper failed to gather cleanly. The ball broke loose and two defenders under pressure from Jakkaphan failed to clear, leaving Diogo to gleefully turn the ball into the net.
Buriram continued to press and forced a number of corners, Korrakot’s inswingers certainly had the keeper flapping at times but the ball just wouldn’t fall to a Buriram player.
The second goal finally arrived in the 40th minute and it was Diogo at his best. Edgar collected a loose clearance and found Diogo in the left-side of the area. The striker was marked by two defenders but a wonderful shimmy and turn gave him the space to send the ball just inside the far-post from a narrow angle.
It was a brilliant finish and it left the Navy defenders looking at each other in disbelief. It was a very disconsolate team that trooped off at the interval and it appeared that Buriram would sweep them aside in the second-half. This was to be far from the truth.
Navy almost got back into the game in the 47th minute when an uncharacteristic Tunez error gifted them a clear sight of goal but Siwarak got down well to the low shot. Worse was to come in the 53rd minute when Jakkaphan’s dreadful mistake gave them another opportunity but the shot curled just wide of the far-post.
Buriram hit back a minute later when Supachok played Diogo in down the left and the low cross just evaded Edgar. Narubadin returned the ball into the middle for Supachok to see his shot blocked and Diogo fired the rebound high into the crowd.
An even better chance came Buriram’s way in the 56th minute when Korrakot’s free-kick found Tunez who headed the ball back across goal for Edgar to send a first-time shot crashing against the keeper’s body. The striker really should have done better.
Two minutes later Narubadin raced clear down the right before sending a low cross into the box which found the unmarked Diogo who somehow managed to get the ball over the bar when it looked easier to score.
Navy began to sense that maybe their luck could be in and began to trouble the Buriram defence with some quick breaks, their number 10 Vitor Junior being at the heart of them.
They were helped by a strange tactical change by Buriram. Praweenwat moved from left-back to a more central position, leaving Buriram exposed down their left-flank which the visitors were happy to exploit through Vitor and Amadou. This resulted in Tunez being pulled out of the centre to cover and without their main man organizing things, the defence looked vulnerable to say the least.
Despite this, Buriram had a glorious chance to put the game to bed in the 65th minute when a lovely flick by Supachok opened up the Navy defence only for the unmarked Korrakot to make a complete hash of things, not even managing to get a shot in.
Another quick Navy break in the 70th minute left Amadou clear on goal but once again Siwarak got down well to his low shot. Supachai came on for Ratthanakorn in the 75th minute and Supachok was replaced by Anon five minutes later.
Buriram had a huge let-off in the 84th minute when a total mix-up in the right side of the box saw the ball crossed low and two Navy forwards failed to get a touch from a yard out.
Narubadin ,who had played well, had to leave the field on a stretcher in the 87th minute and was replaced by Junsoo. As the game went into stoppage time, it looked like Diogo was going to complete his hat-trick when Jakkaphan sent him clear on goal but he was halted by a last-ditch tackle as he was about to pull the trigger.
The win leaves Buriram three points clear at the top but this was hardly the performance of league leaders. No team can afford to have two midfield players who are ineffectual and disrupt the rhythm of the side. The change in the defensive formation was mystifying particularly given the pace of Navy’s front two. As my teachers used to say, “Must do better !”
There is now a short break in the fixtures and Buriram’s next game is away at Ubon on Wednesday March 28, 7pm.