Buriram made the long trip north to face Lamphun Warrior of the Regional League Division Two in their League Cup Quarter-Final, first leg. Buriram fielded a strong side, though there was no Macena and Diogo was on the bench. It was to be one of their worst performances of the season.
Buriram created very little against their lowly opponents and in fact almost suffered a humiliating defeat right at the death. The first-half was utterly forgetable with Buriram having most of the possession and putting in endless high crosses for non-existent strikers.
It was a little better in the second-half but whatever chances Buriram had came from scrambles and rebounds in the box rather than from genuine creativity . It was an ideal opportunity for some players to stake a claim for a regular first team place but all it did was confirm Buriram’s lack of strength in depth.
Buriram had a chance in the first minute when Theerathon’s free-kick was headed back across goal only for Seul Ki to miss his kick completely in front of goal. Two minutes later Buriram almost gifted their opponents a priceless goal.
While the Buriram defenders all stood still,appealing for an offside that never came, Lamphun advanced on goal but Siwarak dealt comfortably with the low shot. A real let-off and a minute later Anawin received a yellow card for a rash challenge when once again there was no danger.
In the sixth minute Theerathon sent in a free-kick which Suchao just failed to get a touch on and the ball went through to the keeper.Little of any note then happened until the nineteenth minute when Seul Ki headed a cross from the right, back for Theerathon to hit a shot on the turn wide.
Buriram came close to opening the scoring in the twenty-second minute when Suchao sent a corner from the left to the near post where Seul Ki got in a neat flick but the keeper got down to save with his legs on the line. Five minutes later Suchao attempted an overhead kick from Chaowat’s left-wing cross but it dropped harmlessly over the bar.
After thirty-five minutes Sittichok was brought down thirty yards out but Suchao sent the free-kick straight at the keeper. A minute later a left-wing cross found Sittichok who missed the ball completely before sending the loose ball high over the bar.
Finally in first-half stoppage time Anawin had a shot blocked and he too fired the rebound over the top from ten yards. It had been a very poor performance with only Theerathon showing anything like his true form. A huge improvement was required !
Narubadin came on for Anawin who had clearly not found favour with the less-than impressive referee. Seven minutes into the half Sittichok was fouled just outside the right edge of the box. Theerathon rolled the ball back to Naruphol on the edge of the area but once again he sent his effort high into the crowd.
On the hour Prakit came on for Suree and immediately Sittichok had a shooting chance from just outside the area but sliced his shot high and wide. A minute later Prakit received a yellow card for a bad late tackle on the half-way line. YET again, completely unnecessary.
Buriram could have taken a fortunate lead in the sixty-seventh minute when Prakit sent another high ball forward which Naruphol headed on to leave Siittichok with only the keeper to beat but he dragged his shot wide. Sittichok was clearly offside but there was no flag.
Jakkaphan then came on for Suchao and sent over a cross from the right in the seventy-fifth minute only for Seul Ki to miskick in front of goal. Nukoolkit then let fly from range a minute later but the keeper got down well to turn the low shot round the post.
Sittichok was then presented with another clear shooting chance on the edge of the box but he pulled his low shot wide once again. Sittichok’s miserable night was complete shortly after when he sent a dreadful shot high over the bar when well-placed.
Little had been seen of the Lamphun attack but they had a golden opportunity to snatch a famous victory a minute from time. A long ball forward found the Buriram defence all over the place, leaving their skipper free on goal. Maybe nerves got the better of him but he elected to cross instead of taking the clear route to goal.
So Buriram’s blushes were spared. It was a very disappointing performance with Naruphol and Sittichok again showing that they are not up to the required standard. This game would have been an ideal opportunity to give the talented Anon a run out and Theerathon should certainly have played in the centre of midfield.
Once again it showed how much Buriram need Diogo, Macena and Tunez and once the big Veneuzeulan returns let’s hope they all stay fit.