2015 will live long in the memories of all Buriram United fans as their team swept all before them in the Thai domestic season. League Champions, FA Cup Winners, League Cup Winners, Mekong Club Champions and Kor Cup winners. Not forgetting Buriram Unitedremained undefeated, their only reverses coming in the Champions League.
Even then they were desperately unlucky to go out at the group stages with ten points, the same as Seongnam of Korea and Gamba Osaka of Japan but Buriram had the worst record of the three teams in games against each other. The penulitimate game against Seongnam at home proved pivotal as Buriram United pushed forward for a late winner and were caught on the break.
A draw would have seen Buriram United top the group with eleven points, but it was not to be.
The season began with the Kor Cup in Bangkok where the League Champions play the FA Cup winners and a rather uninspiring game saw Buriram Uniteddefeat Bangkok Glass with a solitary Diogo goal.
Buriram United did not exactly come out with all guns blazing in the league drawing three of their first four games, including arch-rivals Muang Thong away. They then won six games in a row to move to the top of the league with Muang Thong close behind.
Another dip in form saw Buriram United draw four of the next seven games but they remained at the top. However, one of those draws became a critical turning point in Buriram United’s season. They found themselves 3-1 down at home to BEC Tero and staring defeat full in the face.
But they dug deep and Diogo pulled a goal back with eight minutes to go before he headed a great equalizer deep into stoppage time. Buriram United then faced Muang Thong at home and after going behind early on they rallied to go 2-1 up in the second-half only for Muang Thong to grab a late equalizer.
It was tight at the top with Muang Thong and Buriram only seperated by goal difference with Buriram United a couple of goals behind.And so it remained for a few weeks as Buriram United went on a remarkable fourteen game winning run. At first Muang Thong kept pace as the two teams drew well away from the rest of the pack.
However, Buriram United were not just winning, they were sweeping all before them with wonderful attacking football that brought an avalanche of goals. The pressure told on Muang Thong and some poor results saw Buriram United pull away, leaving their bitter rivals floundering in their wake.
Buriram United wrapped the title up with a good win at Bangkok Glass before returning to Thunder Castle to thrash Saraburi, scoring some truly memorable goals before being presented with the League Trophy. There followed a rather subdued performance at BEC Tero which saw Buriram United preserve their unbeaten record with a late Tunez equalizer.
Buriram United rounded off the season in style with a thumping 5-1 win at Thai Port which sent the home side down. A fitting end to a great league season.
Buriram United also added the League Cup to their trophy collection.They progressed serenely to the semi-finals and overcame Army 5-4 over two tight, entertaining games before seeing off Sisaket 1-0 in the Final with a beautiful Seul-Ki goal. It would appear it was a close game but in reality Buriram United were in cruise control.
The FA Cup became the fifth and final trophy of the season and the Final saw Buriram United up against Muang Thong. It was the final all Thailand wanted to see and Muang Thong were desperate to record their first-ever victory over Buriram United who in turn were keen to keep their unbeaten record.
They say always save the best till last and Buriram United did exactly that. They dominated the game from start to finish to leave no-one doubting who was the better side. It was the complete performance with Jakkaphan’s wonderful strike the icing on the cake in a comprehensive 3-1 victory.
A fantastic year for the club with all the players contributing to Buriram United’s success. Diogo scored 45 goals in all competitions and Siwarak was an ever-present in the league. Seul-Ki and Tunez have been outstanding, as have Theerathon, Koravit and Suchao.
Sadly, we bid farewell to Macena who has scored goals and provided numerous assists. I fear he will be badly missed and we wish him well. So on to 2016, it can’t get any better surely……………can it ??