Buriram United overcame a useful Albirex Niigata side to win their first trophy of the season with two second-half Seul-Ki headers doing the damage. It was rather harsh on the Japanese team who had looked the better side for most of the game,particularly in the first-half. It was also the first time that Buriram United wore the new third shirt which is proving a big hit with supporters.
Buriram United were without Diogo, presumably injured, and started with Moritz and Kaio up front. Buriram United struggled to create clear chances,whilst their opponents gave the home defence plenty to think about with their slick passing and movement.
The Albirex keeper almost gifted Buriram United the perfect start in the second minute when he made a complete hash of trying to find a defender with a square ball across the box and only succeeded in finding Kaio in front of an open goal but the Brazilian touched the ball past a despairing defender before stabbing a right-foot shot high and wide.
The Japanese responded in the fourth minute when Anawin was turned inside out in the left side of the area but the ensuing shot was inches too high. Buriram United were huffing and puffing without really threatening though Suchao almost got Jakkaphan in with a delightful chip over the defence in the seventeenth minute but the ball was turned behind for a corner.
Chitipat was shown a yellow card in the twenty-sixth minute for holding back after being beaten for pace in the Albirex half and seven minutes later Buriram United almost snatched the lead. Theerathon picked the ball up in midfield before firing in a great shot from thirty yards which the keeper did well to turn over the bar.
Albirex responded in the fortieth minute with a good move down the left which saw a low cross come into the Buriram United area. The marking was non-existent as the striker turned to fire a low shot against the post from six yards and when the ball rebounded perfectly for Silva, he fired over an open goal from twelve yards.
So all-square at half-time but it was worrying that Buriram United were unable to get into any sort of rhythm and put any pressure on the Albirex defence. The two strikers were not looking threatening and the midfield were certainly second best. Improvement was required.
Buriram United started the second-half brightly and in the forty-eighth minute a good break out of defence down the right saw a deep cross to the far post find Moritz unmarked. The Brazilian had time to take the ball down but elected to attempt a volley from a tight angle and the ball hit the side-netting.
However, the Japanese responded by taking the lead with a fine goal in the fifty-sixth minute. Following a swift break down the left, the ball was played low into the box before being laid back for Silva to drill a low shot past Siwarak from twenty yards.
The visitors were ecstatic and in fact were worthy of their lead. Buriram United needed a swift response and it came just four minutes later. They won a corner on the left and Theerathon picked out Seul-Ki with a perfect cross for the Korean to get in front of his marker at the near-post to glide a deft header into the far corner.
There were no defenders on the line, a tactic which I find totally bemusing as it would have been a simple clearance had there been. Before the restart Moritz was replaced by Adul . The goal obviously lifted Buriram United and they produced their best move of the match in the sixty-third minute.
Neat play down the left saw the ball reach the breaking Kaio and he collected it before feeding Jakkaphan with a delightful pass but the midfielder put his shot wide with the outside of his right-foot.Shortly after Anawin was replaced by Suree.
Kaio was in action again three minutes later when he gained possession in the left-channel before running at the retreating defence and hitting a fierce shot just too high.
Suchao had to leave the field following a challenge in midfield and was replaced by Sathaporn. There followed a rather quiet period of play with neither side looking likely to break the deadlock. However, ten minutes from time Buriram United won another corner on the left.
Once again Theerathon and Seul-Ki performed their double act, though this time the Korean sent in a powerful header which the keeper got a hand to but had no real hope of stopping it. Who said lightning doesn’t strike twice ?
Buriram United sent on Anan for Seul-Ki who appeared to get a slight knock either scoring or from the resulting celebrations. The Japanese pushed forward in search of an equalizer and an altercation flared up six minutes from time when Tunez took exception to another dubious Silva challenge and it resulted in yellow cards for both of them.
Anan fired just wide and Adul received a yellow card for a dreadful challenge as Buriram United comfortably ran down the clock. Buriram United were certainly better in the second-half and a win is a win. However, it is glaringly obvious to everyone that Diogo is absolutely vital and it is to be hoped he can avoid injury AND suspensions.
