Two goals in the last ten minutes finally made the game safe after it seemed countless missed chances were going to cost Buriram dear. Thai Port played some neat football in the midfield area but it was Buriram who carried the threat up front.
On another night, Diogo would probably have scored five but he uncharacteristically wasted four good chances in the second-half. However, this should not detract from another outstanding performance from the Brazilian as he tormented the Port defence from start to finish.
A 3-1 scoreline did not flatter Buriram as it could easily have been seven or eight.
Narubadin failed a fitness test but Tunez made a welcome return to the centre of defence.
Port came to Buriram on the back of two defeats but there was little sign of that as they made a confident start. They took the lead in the 12th minute when they were allowed too much space down the right and when the deep cross came in, no-one picked up Nurul and he was left free to head past the stranded Siwarak.
Buriram responded well and forced a couple of corners which were again wasted through poor delivery. This happens far too often and there is no excuse for professional footballers doing this.
A good move down the right in the 25th minute saw Supachai send over a dangerous low cross which Edgar got to first but fired wide. A minute later though, Buriram drew level with a beautifully crafted and taken goal.
Port could only half clear their lines and when the ball reached the centre from the left, Jakkaphan collected it and found Diogo with a perfect pass which left the Brazilian side-footing the ball into the corner of the net.
Great pass, cool finish.
Shortly before all this, Buriram made a tactical switch. Praweenwat moved from right-back to centre-midfield and Junsoo moved from left-back to join Tunez in the centre of defence. This left Buriram with no recognized full-backs so Korrakot (left) and Sasalak (right) had to fill in when required.
Buriram made a surprise substitution shortly before half-time with Supachok replacing Praweenwat.
It hadn’t been a bad half but nothing had prepared us for the start of the second when Diogo could have hit a hat-trick in the first five minutes. First he made a determined run down the left where he outmuscled two defenders to leave himself with only the keeper to beat.
However, the angle was tight and Diogo’s low attempt came back off the keeper’s legs. Immediately after, Supachok and Jakkaphan combined well down the right before the latter crossed perfectly for the inrushing Diogo to hammer over the bar from five yards,
It was Diogo again in the 49th minute when Edgar sent over an excellent right-wing cross which Diogo got a good header on but the ball flew straight at the keeper.
The Brazilian then picked up a yellow card in the 51st minute when he exacted his own retribution on a Port defender who had fouled Edgar but the referee didn’t give it. Needless, and Diogo should know better.
Buriram then brought on Suchao for Supachai in the 65th minute and three minutes later Diogo was fouled thirty yards out . He took the kick himself which brought a good save from the keeper diving to his left.
Diogo was in the spotlight again in the 73rd minute when Sasalak and Jakkaphan combined well down the right, leaving Jakkaphan to pick out Diogo in the box but once again the shot was too high.
Suchao was shown a yellow card in the 77th minute and Anon came on for Korrakot. This was to prove significant.
Buriram won a corner on the right in the 80th minute and as Korrakot had gone off, Sasalak took the kick. It was a perfect inswinger, delivered at pace, leaving Tunez to head into the far corner of the net.
Relief could be felt all round the stadium as it looked like it was going to be “one of those nights” ! Buriram were then content to play possession football, whilst still being on the look-out for a quick break.
One came in the 90th minute when Junsoo found Diogo with a great long ball down the right. The striker had a quick look up before finding Edgar completely free two yards out and the finish was a formality.
As stated previously, it could have been 7 or 8 but Buriram didn’t let the missed chances get to them and stayed composed to convert those two at the end. One player who deserves a mention is Anon. He was only on the field 13 minutes but he ran the Port defence ragged on a couple of occasions and really deserves more game time.
Next up is a trip to Korea for the must win game at Jeju in the Champions League, on Tuesday April 17, 6pm (Thai time). Best of luck to the boys ! You can do this !