An 89th minute Coelho header gave Buriram a narrow 1-0 win over Bangkok Glass to maintain their six point lead at the top. However, tv replays suggested that the big striker was offside when he met Suchao’s free-kick.
It could well be the pivotal moment in Buriram’s quest to regain their league title as Muang Thong had earlier thrashed Bangkok United 4-0. Glass had clearly come to frustrate Buriram, often getting ten or eleven men behind the ball.
However, they did break quickly out of defence and forced Siwarak into two excellent saves in the second-half. Buriram had the chances in a game where they dominated possession but often their attacks lacked pace allowing the visitors time to get men back.
When sides defend in numbers, you have to use the flanks and get behind the defence but too often Buriram were unwilling to run at the retreating defenders. This was particularly true of Supachok and Anon who seemed very conscious of not losing possession.
Jakkaphan was hugely disappointing in midfield and was very fortunate to remain on the pitch for the full ninety minutes. Once again, Siwarak was the unsung hero as he showed his amazing level of concentration in making two vital saves when for much of the game he was a mere spectator.
In front of a very disappointing crowd, Buriram almost made the perfect start when Narubadin sent over an excellent right-wing cross but Diogo’s header was too high.
They had another chance in the 10th minute when following a flowing move, Supachok turned his marker superbly on the edge of the area only to lash a wild shot high and wide.
Despite plenty of possession, Buriram had to wait until the 34th minute for their next chance when Coelho sent a free-kick over the wall from a free-kick in the D after Diogo had been fouled but the keeper turned it away for a corner.
Diogo took a lot of punishment throughout the game, particularly from the uncompromising Smith but the referee kept his yellow card in his pocket.
So it was goalless at the interval and despite Buriram having the lion’s share of possession, the Glass keeper had not been really tested.
The second-half followed the same pattern as the first but the first real action of note came in the 53rd minute when the Glass keeper fumbled Jakkaphan’s left-wing corner resulting in a mad scramble in the area but the ball was eventually cleared.
Buriram made their first change in the 57th minute, bringing on Korrakot for Anon who had been rather quiet for much of the game. The home side continued to press but it was the visitors who threatened in the 68th minute.
Following a free-kick, the ball was crossed in from the right and Siwarak had to get down quickly to his left to turn the ball round the post for a corner. A minute later he made an even better save, this time getting down low to his right to turn the ball away.
Buriram then replaced Supachok with Ratthanakorn as they struggled to break down the stubborn Glass defence. Korrakot sent over a superb cross from the left in the 72nd minute which just evaded both Diogo and Coelho as they rushed in to get the touch which was required.
Five minutes later Narubadin got to the byline down the right and sent over a good cross which Diogo headed over. It’s worth noting that Narubadin has improved the quality of his crossing immensely and he is becoming a potent outlet for Buriram.
Indeed, he sent over another excellent cross from the right in the 83rd minute which found Diogo unmarked in the box but he headed wide when he really should have hit the target.
Buriram were agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock in the 85th minute when Korrakot crossed from the left and Coelho knocked the ball down for Diogo to cheekily flick it up before crashing a fine shot inches wide.
In a final throw of the dice, Buriram introduced Suchao to the fray in place of Chitipat in the 87th minute and what an inspirational move it proved to be.
Diogo was brought down out left and Suchao with his first touch delivered a perfect cross into the box which Coelho headed powerfully into the net. As mentioned earlier, it appeared that Coelho was offside but it was marginal and no blame can be attached to the referee’s assistant.
The relief could be felt all round the ground as the magnitude of that goal is huge and could well be the one that decides the league. Buriram at times played some lovely football but they need to up the tempo, particularly against the better teams in the league.
Speaking of which, Buriram’s next game is against Ratchaburi on Sunday, September 24, 7pm. Ratchaburi have already beaten Buriram this season and they have an excellent home record. A VERY important game.