Buriram will look on this trip to Ubon as two points dropped after they dominated for long periods but had to settle for a 1-1 draw. Sloppy defending gifted the home side an equalizer just after Buriram had taken the lead but Siwarak was hardly troubled again in the match.
It was an unchanged side following last week’s demolition of Muang Thong and Buriram made a good start. However, Ubon had no intention of sitting back and it made for an open game.
Buriram took the lead in the 15th minute when Diogo let fly from fully thirty-five yards and the ball bounced just in front of the keeper to beat his dive to his left and nestle in the corner of the net.
Sadly, Buriram’s joy was short lived as Ubon hit back almost immediately when a left-wing corner was met by Aukkee’s header which Siwarak got to but the ball had clearly crossed the line.
Once again the tactic of not having a player on the line at both posts proved costly. Had someone been there at the far post, it would have been a routine clearance. I just don’t understand why teams do this.
Five minutes later Buriram were almost back in front when a left-wing cross was headed against the bar by Diogo with the keeper beaten.
It was Diogo again shortly after when he let a long ball over the top into the box bounce before firing in a shot which the keeper did well to block.
Buriram continued to press but didn’t create any more clear-cut chances before the interval, though Korrakot’s inswinging corners were causing the Ubon defence problems.
Buriram continued where they left off and Coelho played Diogo in down the right of the box but the angle was too tight. After 53 minutes Anon made way for Phanuphong and the midfielder’s first contribution was a bad tackle which earned him a deserved yellow card.
Coelho then had a wonderful chance to restore Buriram’s advantage in the 59th minute. A great ball into the box found him completely free with time to control the ball and pick his spot.
Instead, he elected to hit it first-time and the shot flew wide. A bad miss and it was just about the end of the striker’s night as he was replaced by compatriot Coutinho in the 67th minute.
Little had been seen of the Ubon attack but they had a great chance to take the lead in the 74th minute but the shot was dragged wide of the post with Siwarak beaten.
Korrakot was unlucky to receive a yellow card from a less than impressive referee in the 76th minute before Diogo lit up the night with some sublime play ten minutes from time.
The Brazilian collected the ball just outside a crowded penalty area before giving himself space with some amazing close control before threading the ball through for Coutinho to get to the byline before sliding over a low cross which Diogo only just failed to get on the end of.
Four minutes from time Seul-Ki collected the ball thirty yards out before hitting a firece shot which the keeper did well to save.
That was just about the end of the action apart from Suchao picking up a late yellow card for a rash challenge.
Buriram will play worse and win this season, though it really is a game they should have taken three points from. Diogo was outstanding and has got to be just about the best player in Thailand. The defence again played as a unit with Ubon only creating one clear chance, which is encouraging.
It was good to see Ubon head coach Scott Cooper again . Many Buriram fans may not realise but Scott is the only Buriram head coach to lose his job without having lost a single game , be it domestic or Champions League !
On the subject of head coaches it has been pointed out by several fans that present head coach Ranko Popovic can be seen remonstrating far too often with officials. He appears to seize every opportunity to “voice his opinion” particularly to the fourth official. It does him no favours at all and it’s time that he put a stop to it.
Next game is home to rock-bottom Super Power FC on Tuesday, April 18, 6pm.