Buriram re-wrote the record books when they reached their target of 86 points with a 2-1 win at Chonburi. It was a tight game with few clear openings, though the best chances fell to the Champions.
They should have taken the lead early on when Supachok progressed down the left before crossing low. Jakkaphan allowed the ball to run through his legs to Diogo who teed it up for Ratthanakorn to lift a lazy shot over the bar.
Buriram came closer shortly after when Supachok got clear on goal down the left. He rounded the keeper before firing in a shot towards an empty net but somehow a defender managed to block the ball acrobatically on the line. Wonderful defending !
Next Tunez got on the end of a right-wing corner and his downward header bounced in front of the keeper before hitting him in the chest.
Chonburi responded by taking the lead from the penalty spot in the 13th minute when Tunez was guilty of a careless challenge and the referee rightly pointed to the spot. Renan sent Siwarak the wrong way with the only penalty conceded by Buriram this season.
It became a bit of a midfield battle after that with Chonburi just having the edge. Buriram were certainly missing the influential Seul-Ki and it showed once again how important he is to the side.
Buriram came out fighting in the second-half and had the home side rocking. Their pressure told in the 63rd minute when Diogo burst into the left-side of the area and was pulled and pushed to the ground for an obvious penalty.
Diogo was his usual cool self as he easily beat the keeper to level the scores. Seven minutes later Buriram took the lead when Coelho got clear down the right before crossing for Diogo to head powerfully down and the keeper was unable to hold the ball.
Diogo was first to react to turn the ball in from close range. There was a suspicion that Coelho was offside but after seeing the video several times, he was probably just on. A tough call for the assistant referee.
Chonburi tried to hit back but the Buriram defence looked solid and never allowed the home side a clear sight of goal.
So, 86 points it is, 14 clear of Muang Thong who lost at home 1-0 to relegated Thai Honda last Wednesday.( Thought I’d throw that one in !) Strikeback Buriram certainly did !