Buriram United won an entertaining match against a very useful Pohang Steelers side at Thunder Castle. Both teams took the game seriously and there was no flurry of substitutions until near the end,giving players a chance to bed in and get match fit.
Buriram United started with Danilo and Anan up front with Moritz playing just behind them, giving Buriram United plenty of attacking options. Suree came in for Chitipat and Anawin dropped back to play right-back. At times Buriram United played with a flat back four and perhaps it is a tactic they are considering in the Champions League,especially away from home.
Buriram United started brightly and Danilo had a shooting chance in the third minute after beating the offside trap but fired wide. However, Buriram United took the lead with a fine goal in the tenth minute. Danilo and Theerathon combined well down the left before the latter sent over a deep cross.
The ball was just kept in play before being turned back for Anawin to send over an inch-perfect cross and Moritz leapt high before sending a thumping header into the net from eight yards. Buriram United almost repeated the dose five minutes later when another good move down the left saw Theerathon cross for Danilo to get up well but his header flicked off a defender for a corner.
Buriram United had another chance shortly after when Suchao’s ball into the box was half-cleared to Jakkaphan but the midfielder volleyed wide. Danilo then used his strength to hold off a defender’s attempt to pull his shirt but the resulting shot was easy for the keeper.
The Steelers had been by no means outplayed and they were always a threat with their quick passing and movement. It was a good test for the Buriram United defence who did not allow the Chinese many sights of goal with Tunez in total command.
The home side went further ahead in the thirty-third minute when an excellent Jakkaphan cross from the left found Danilo who climbed well to head into the corner of the net. The Steelers then had a spell of pressure and when Tunez and Suree got in a tangle just before half-time Siwarak had to make a smart save ,low to his right.
Buriram United brought on Diogo for Danilo and although he took his goal well, he was not really a threat and was guilty of giving free-kicks away far too often. Buriram United deserved their lead but they were missing the vision and passing of Seul-Ki, though Suchao did have an excellent half.
The second-half was a completely different story with the Steelers dominating possession. Buriram created very little though Diogo showed great anticipation in the fiftty-seventh minute when he just failed to beat the keeper to a headed back-pass. Siwarak then got down well to block a low shot with his body as the Steelers pushed forward.
From the resulting inswinging corner the ball beat everyone’s attempt to reach it to somehow end up in the back of the net.. Buriram United responded well and Diogo had an effort cleared off the line from Theerathon’s right-wing corner. Anan was then replaced by Surat and Moritz moved up to partner Diogo up front.
Anan is a big, young forward signed from Bangkok Glass but like Danilo ,he looks a little awkward on the ball and his first touch is not yet good enough. He also is guilty of giving far too many free-kicks away and he has a lot to learn if he is to become the finished article.
Moritz was replaced by Sittichok in the seventieth minute and his first touch brought a good save from the Steeler’s keeper. The game was now rather disjointed and little of note happened at either end. Buriram United made three substitutions in the last six minutes as the game ended rather tamely.
This was a good work-out for Buriram United against a useful Steelers side. What did we learn from it ? At the moment, none of the new signings look like they will provide the pace and variety that Macena did. Hopefully, the latest Brazilian signing, Kaio, will provide an option to a big bustling striker.Moritz looks useful and hopefully the others will progress as they get used to their new surroundings.
The game also showed how important Seul-Ki is, particularly against quality opposition. On the subject of Seul-Ki, it was reported that he had a thigh muscle injury but he was named as a substitute. He came out for the half-time kick about with the other subs but never attempted to kick a ball properly. Indeed, he appeared to find walking difficult, all rather odd. Let’s hope he is back sooner rather than later.
The good news is Chitipat seems to have shaken off his ankle knock and came on as a late substitute.