Buriram were made to work hard for their 2-0 victory at struggling Pattaya. The home side showed little ambition and got 10 men behind the ball as often as they could to deny the Buriram attack space to create clear-cut chances.
Despite this, Buriram should have made more of the chances they did have, particularly one in the first-half where Diogo was clean through but elected to try a cheeky dink over the keeper instead of a more conventional finish.
Siwarak was never really threatened as once again Tunez marshaled his defence superbly to snuff out any threat that appeared. Jakkaphan was relegated to the bench with Bordin taking his place in the starting line-up.
After an opening flurry from Pattaya, Buriram took control but never really threatened the well-organized home defence. Apart from the previously mentioned Diogo effort.
On the subject of Digo, the referee incurred the wrath of Buriram’s travelling supporters as he constantly showed reluctance to award the Brazilian striker, free-kicks.
In the official’s defence, Diogo certainly goes to ground too easily and it is easy to see why officials err on the side of caution, whenever he appears to be fouled !
Coelho appeared a little more sluggish than usual and at half-time neither keeper had been really threatened apart from the solitary Diogo chance.
Buriram brought on Jakkaphan for Bordin and the skipper did introduce a measure of control into the midfield.
Coelho thought he’d broken the deadlock when he finished off a flowing move with a cool, low finish. However, his celebrations were cut short by an offside flag. What the official had failed to spot was the ball came off a defender, therefore playing Coelho onside ! This was not be said official’s last mistake.
Buriram did finally take the lead in the 62nd minute’s when Jakkaphan’s corner was cleared back out to him on the right. This time his cross found Coelho who headed the ball on for Diogo to slip the ball past the keeper.
Ten minutes later it was two, when a home defender slipped as he attempted to collect a pass from a teammate, leaving Coelho to seize on the opportunity and easily beat the keeper.
That was more or less it as Buriram comfortably saw out time against 10-man Pattaya after they had a player sent off, following a dangerous two-footed lunge on Seul-Ki.
Stars of the show were Tunez and Sasalak who never gave the Pattaya midfield a moment’s peace with his tireless running and close-quarter skills.
So Buriram remain top and entertain Thai Honda on Wednesday, June 28, 6pm.
I travelled down to this match and watched the game with the Buriram supporters and it was certainly an experience.
To say they are impartial would be a complete lie as they mercilessly pilloried officials and opposition alike . The noise was quite deafening as insults were hurled at anyone close enough to hear.Or not close enough, it didn’t matter.
I did intend to use the voice recorder on my phone to make notes on the match but that cunning plan was rendered useless by the vociferous away support. Still, by refusing to take part in pre-match refreshments , I was able to remember enough, to cobble together this report.
Thank you GU 12, it was a blast !