Buriram finally saw off Bangkok Glass in a penalty shoot-out in Bangkok last night. Siwarak saved two penalties whilst Buriram scored all four of their’s for a 4-2 victory. It was an entertaining game, nothing like the game of attrition at Thunder Castle last week.
Both sides had chances though once again Buriram had the far better ones but poor finishing let them down again. Buriram had new Brazilian signing Jandson making his debut in attack and he did enough to show that he could well be a more than useful acquisition.
Suchao returned from suspension and Seul Ki reverted to centre-back for the still injured Tunez.Jandson almost made a dream start in the second minute when Jackraphan crossed from the right and the Brazilian got up well to power a header just wide.
A minute later Theerathon was wide with a shot from just outside the area .Shortly after another good move down the right saw Sittichok’s cross turned behind for a right-wing corner which was headed over by Sittichok.
After fourteen minutes another excellent move down the left saw Jandson get round the keeper but from a tight angle his finish lacked power and Glass were able to get back to clear. Buriram were playing good football and the home side were struggling to get into the game.
A minute later Diogo found space twenty-five yards out but his low shot was just wide of the right-hand post. Jandson then received a yellow card for needlessly pulling an opponent back. He almost redeemed himself in the twenty-sixth minute when he cleverly headed a Theerathon free-kick down in the area but the danger was cleared.
Immediately after Buriram should have taken the lead. The ball reached Diogo via Jandson just outside the area but with only the keeper to beat, Diogo side-footed a tame shot which the keeper saved without too much difficulty. Make sure you hit the target, yes, but do it with some real conviction.
Glass finally threatened in the thirty-fifth minute when Chitipat gave away possession just outside the area but the resulting shot was wide. Two minutes later Sittichok received a yellow card for another unnecessary challenge.
Theerathon then almost broke the deadlock when he was just wide of the right-hand post from twenty yards,though he will be disappointed not to have hit the target. However, Theerathon was having an outstanding game and he continued to be pivotal in much that was good from Buriram.
A quick break four minutes before the interval saw Theerathon feed Jakkraphan down the left and with players in the box in support, Jakkraphan tried an impossible chip which sailed harmlessly over the bar. A minute later, Glass almost snatched an unlikely lead.
Their young winger, whose previous contribution had been an early entry into the referee’s book, turned inside a defender just outside the left edge of the area before hitting a powerful shot which Siwarak turned round his near post.
All-square at the interval then though Buriram had been on top for most of the half. The only real criticism would be that they gave away possession a little too often trying to deliver very difficult killer passes. Sitichok was substituted and Rafael came on to make his debut.
Buriram did not continue where they left off and Glass began to see more of the ball. Siwarak got down low to his left in the fiftieth minute but then Buriram hit Glass on the break seven minutes later.
A great long ball out of defence set Diogo away down the left.His low cross was just a little behind Jandson who tried to turn the ball in with the heel of his right foot.
Just after the hour mark, Seul Ki picked up a ridiculous yellow card for interfering with the keeper’s attempted clearance. Then Jakkraphan crossed for Rafael to head straight at the keeper. Jakkraphan was in action soon after when the keeper turned his well-struck shot over the top.
A minute later Jakkraphan became the fourth Buriram player to be booked and all four were completely unnecessary. Not one was for a foul committed in a dangerous situation and most of Buriram’s yellow cards are in similar positions. It’s time they were eradicated.
Buriram went close again when the keeper pushed the ball out and Rafael was first to react but his shot was deflected wide. Rafael was then felled thirty yards out and when Theerathon sent the ball into the box Chitipat met it on the volley but hit the keeper from point-blank range.
Glass then went straight downfield and slack defending allowed the home side a clear shooting chance but Siwarak got down low to his left to make a great save.Six minutes from time Diogo chased down a long ball out left and sent over a good cross which Rafael headed wide.
Three minutes later Theerathon sent over another good cross from the right but once again Rafael headed over. Finally in stoppage time , Diogo headed Jakkraphan’s right-wing corner over. That was the final action as the game went into extra-time.
The players were obviously tired and the opening stages were tentative from both teams. Seven minutes in Glass were reduced to ten men when their influential skipper was shown a second yellow for a foul on Diogo. The referee had no option but yet again the game was held up as he refused to leave the field,claiming Diogo had dived.
This gave Glass a mountain to climb and Diogo should have made them pay from the resulting free-kick. Theereathon sent over a superb cross and Diogo had a completely free header but sent it wide. Rafael was booked soon after for diving but it was a harsh decision.
It should have got worse for Glass soon after when following a Theerathon foul, the referee failed to spot a Glass player kick Theerathon whilst he was on the ground. Granted, it wasn’t a violent kick but it was certainly a red card.
Chitipat was injured trying an acrobatic volley from Jakkraphan’s cross and had to be replaced by Naruphol. A minute from time Glass almost claimed a dramatic win. A cross from the left caused panic in the Buriram defence and Narabudin turned the ball against the post and into the arms of a relieved Siwarak.
There was still time for Buriram to almost snatch the winner but Rafael shot straight at the keeper. So it went down to penalties which is what Glass had been playing for most of the game. With Buriram’s record with penalties this season, I’m sure their supporters were more than a little apprehensive.
Glass went first and Siwarak dived to his left to make an excellent save. Rafael was first up for Buriram and he coolly sent the keeper the wrong way. 1-0 Buriram.
Glass scored their second and Seul Ki calmly placed the ball high to the keeper’s right. 2-1 Buriram.
Siwarak then made another good save diving to his left. Suchao then stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way. 3-1 Buriram.
Glass scored their fourth but Buriram only needed to score one of their two remaining penalties. Theerathon crowned a superb performance by crashing his penalty into the net to send Buriram through 4-2.
Buriram deserved to win and Theerathon played better than I have ever seen him. He played a more central role where his undoubted class influenced the game more than when he is stuck out wide. Something I’ve been wanting to see.
Jandson and Rafael certainly have something to offer and it’s good that the coach will have some options up front. Finally a word about the Buriram penalty takers. OUTSTANDING !!
Next game BEC Tero (H) Sunday July 26th 19.00