Two outstanding goals saw Buriram defeat Ratchaburi 2-1 in the first game of the new season. After a dire first-half in which a 30 yard Diogo free-kick was the only attempt on goal, Buriram came out with all guns blazing in the second.
They went two up with a superb Jakkaphan strike and a clinical finish from Diogo. However, Ratchaburi got back into the game with a hotly disputed penalty but Buriram held on comfortably and indeed should have put the game to bed.
Loan-signing Praweenwat started at left-back and Supachok came into the midfield with Suchao, Jakkaphan, Ratthanakorn and Narubadin.
As stated earlier, the opening period was instantly forgettable as the somewhat disappointing crowd became increasingly restless. The first action of any note came in the 20th minute when Suchao had to leave the field with a hamstring problem, Korrakot replacing him.
Two minutes later, Siwarak had to get down smartly to turn a low shot round the post. Buriram’s only real attempt on goal came in the 27th minute when Diogo thundered in a thirty-yard free-kick but it was straight at the keeper who was happy to palm the ball out with both hands.
So a disappointing start and a big step up in tempo was required. Buriram made a tactical switch at the interval with Narubadin moving to right-back, Pansa moving to the left and Praweenwat slotting in to the holding midfield role.
Whether this switch was responsible is a matter of conjecture, but it was a completely different Buriram in the second period. Almost from the off, Diogo burst clear down the left but his low shot was turned away by the keeper. Then in the 47th minute after a sweeping move down the left, the ball came out to Ratthanakorn who fired narrowly over.
Back came Buriram a minute later and when Diogo allowed a right-wing cross to find Jakkaphan, the midfielder hesitated a fraction and his shot was blocked. Another chance arrived in the 50th minute but Korrakot’s left-wing cross was headed over by Edgar.
Something had to give and Buriram finally broke the deadlock on the hour mark. The ball was worked down the right by Jakkaphan who played a one-two with Edgar before taking the ball in his stride and smashing a shot into the far-corner. Jakkaphan’s first touch and finish really was top drawer.
It got better for Buriram six minutes later with another superbly executed goal. The ball was moved down the right and when it was played inside to Jakkaphan , he found Diogo in space to his left in the box and the Brazilian drilled a low shot beyond the keeper.
Diogo almost repeated the dose a minute later when he cut in from the left but this time his low effort was just wide of the far-post. Buriram were in complete control but Ratchaburi got back into the game in the 71st minute with a penalty.
There looked to be no danger as Narubadin was contesting a ball into the right side of the area. However, the Ratchaburi forward went down and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Tunez and Jakkaphan protested long and hard which quite frankly did them no favours. As a result Tunez ended up with a yellow card. An official will NEVER change his mind and quite rightly so.
My initial reaction was that there was contact and having seen the incident again, I believe the referee got it right. It was a clear push and completely unnecessary as the ball appeared to be heading out for a goal-kick.
Menezes stepped up to give Siwarak no chance with a shot high into the net. The expected onslaught from Ratchaburi never materialised as Buriram continued to look the more likely to score. Junsoo then came on for Ratthanakorn in the 81st minute.
The game should have been made safe in the 83rd minute when following a rapid break out of defence down the right, Diogo set up Jakkaphan but this time he made a complete hash of it when he really should have done better.
Three minutes later Diogo won yet another free-kick left of centre about twenty-five yards out. He took the kick himself and sent a shot arrowing towards the top corner which the keeper did very well to turn over.
Two minutes from time it was Diogo again as he burst forward before unselfishly feeding Edgar who was unmarked to his right. The striker took a touch before sending in a tame effort which was straight at the keeper.
With seconds to go, Anon came on for Supachok as Buriram comfortably saw out time.
It’s always good to start with a victory and Buriram certainly deserved to win. But there are still questions to be asked about the midfield. There is no-one with the vision to unlock defences and Jakkaphan ,despite being involved in the two goals, gives the ball away far too often.
He was named man-of-the-match which I found astonishing. Diogo was far and away the best player on the pitch. He was a constant threat and scored a true striker’s goal. Edgar worked hard but when his chance came, the finish was disappointing. He does not look likely to provide the thirty-odd goals scored by Coelho.
Buriram now travel to China to face Guangzhou Evergrande in the Asian Champions League on Wednesday February 14, kick-off 5pm (Thai time). This will be a stern test and should provide a clearer picture of what to expect this season.
There appears to be conflicting information regarding the kick off of this match. Times of 4pm and 5pm have been published so check your tv schedule.