Buriram United lost out in a penalty-shoot out to the Cambodia All Stars in an entertaining friendly. In front of an enthusiastic full-house,the home side twice came from behind to thwart Buriram United . The game obviously meant more to the Cambodians than Buriram United,this could be seen by the reactions of players and crowd to the Cambodian goals.
For Buriram United , it was an opportunity to get players match fit and to give new faces a chance to impress. The Thai champions started with a strong side, though they did have new signings Anan and Danilo up front. Buriram United dominated possession in the early stages with the midfield looking impressive.
However, they created little in the way of scoring chances with both of the strikers struggling to make an impact. Danilo in particular looked laboured and uncomfortable on the ball and neither of them had the pace to work the channels like Macena and Diogo.
The Cambodians easily dealt with the numerous balls delivered into the box and they were also quick on the break and stretched the visitor’s defence a few times. Buriram United took the lead on the stroke of half-time with an excellent goal.
Jakkaphan collected the ball on the left,just inside the area before picking out Suchao on the other side of the box with an inch-perfect pass. The skipper wasted no time in drilling a low,first-time shot across the keeper and into the far-corner of the net.
Buriram United brought on Narubadin for the very influential Seul-Ki and Brazilian striker Moritz for Anan. The Cambodians started brightly and were competing more in midfield, a timely reminder of how important Seul-Ki has become to this Buriram side. Danilo continued to look way off the pace, though Moritz did impress in flashes.
Buriram United were unfortunate not to double their advantage when Suchao thundered a thirty-five yard shot onto the bar with the keeper a helpless spectator. The home side, roared on by an enthusiastic crowd began to look more threatening, as Buriram United made substitutions.
The Cambodians levelled in the sixty-seventh minute due to a dreadful mistake by Siwarak. The keeper rushed out to go for a left-wing cross which he hadn’t a hope of getting, leaving himself flapping at thin air and Prak the simple task of putting the ball into the empty net.
The Cambodians were ecstatic and the crowd delirious. Siwarak looked rightly embarrassed.Buriram United were still having plenty of possession, with Theerathon involved constantly,though it has to be said he did give the ball away far too often.
Buriram United finally put Danilo out of his misery and introduced Diogo and the transformation was instant. He was a threat right from the start and the Cambodian defence couldn’t cope with his pace and movement. It came as no surprise when Diogo restored Buriram United’s lead with a superbly taken goal seven minutes from time.
Following a move down the left, Diogo allowed the ball to run across his body and give him the space to advance into the box before beating the keeper with a perfect low finish into the far-corner. It was another example of just how good a striker Diogo has become. Class.
Following another Siwarak dropped cross, Buriram brought on reserve keeper Yotsapan . The All Stars pushed forward for an equalizer and were rewarded deep into stoppage time. Tunez didn’t quite get enough on an attempted headed clearance from a corner and the ball fell for skipper Chan to find the net,though the keeper should have done much better.
So a draw it was, and much to my surprise a penalty shoot-out followed which the All Stars won 4-3 and Tunez actually missed a penalty !
Of course the result is immaterial. These games are only there to prepare for the coming season. There were some good performances but even though it was the first game there were some obvious concerns as well. There was little to suggest that Macena will not be badly missed.
Moritz deserves time to bed in, but Danilo struggled to make any kind of impact and didn’t look fit. Toscano, the former Uruguayan international signed earlier last year has gone without playing a game.
So who will partner Diogo ? We will have to wait and see. Next game is against Pohang Steelers at Thunder Castle on Wednesday January 27 at 6.00pm.