Buriram progressed in the FA Cup by beating Korat (shorter to write !) 2-0 but it was a far from convincing performance. Both sides were guilty of too many misplaced passes which meant that neither team could get into any rhythm. Buriram brought in Suree at centre-back,Supachok and Patipan in midfield and Rafael was given his first full start up front.
Korat had an early chance to take a surprise lead in the ninth minute when a corner on the left was played short and when the cross came in the visiting centre-back had a completely free header which he sent over the bar. This stung Buriram into action and they should have opened the scoring two minutes later.
The ball was played into the box from the right and Diogo found Rafael in space but his attempt to control the ball was not good enough and from the resulting tight angle Rafael lost his composure and lashed a wild shot into the side-netting. The Brazilian had a chance to redeem himself in the fourteenth minute.
A great kick by Siwarak found Theerathon out on the left who fed Suchao. The skipper put a lovely ball through for Rafael to run onto but the first touch was dreadful and the chance was gone. Rafael went down clutching his left hamstring when he stretched to try and retieve the situation.
He was replaced by Sittichok but it appeared the Buriram coach had already decided to make the change anyway. Buriram then had a free-kick in a good position thirty yards out after Sittichok was brought down but Diogo’s shot went high over the bar,
Sittichok then put over a good cross from the right but only Diogo was in the box which was indicative of Buriram’s performance so far. No pace, no passion. Korat had another excellent chance in the thirty-second minute from a left-wing corner.
When the cross came in Siwarak came to collect but missed the ball completely leaving the Korat skipper an open goal but luckily his header was just too high. A BIG let-off ! Theerathon was playing out wide on the left again and there is no doubt his influence in the centre of midfield was being missed.
As has happened many times this season Buriram then came up with a stunning goal completely out of the blue in the thirty-seventh minute. Suchao sent a long diagonal ball into the box which found Diogo. The striker adjusted his body position superbly to send a looping header over the keeper into the corner of the net. Great goal.
The rest of the half was uneventful and Buriram went in happy with their one goal lead.The worrying thing is that Diogo’s header was Buriram’s only effort on target in the entire half.Hopefully things would improve.
And improve they did after fifty-two minutes. Suchao sent a long ball down the right channel which was headed on by Patipan to Diogo on the edge of the box. The Brazilian controlled the ball and showing great awareness laid a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Seul Ki who coolly placed the ball beyond the keeper’s dive into the corner of the net.
Another outstanding goal.It nearly got better two minutes later when a good move down the left saw the ball reach Theerathon who put over a superb cross which Diogo went to meet only to be pushed from behind as he prepared to head into the empty net.
It was a clear penalty but once again Diogo’s reputation for going down too easily swayed the referee. Buriram put together another good move in the fifty-sixth minute when a long ball down the left saw Diogo get to the byline before pulling the ball back to Sittichok whose goalbound effort was blocked.
From the resulting corner from the left, Suree sent in a good header which a defender somehow managed to head off the line. Great defending. Theerathon was then replaced by Anon, much to the delight of the young female Buriram supporters.
After sixty-six minutes Suchao sent Diogo away down the left and the striker picked out Sittichok with a low cross but once again the effort was blocked. Buriram then appeared to decide to shut up shop and allowed the visitors to come onto them.
They almost paid the price when Tuck was allowed to reach the penalty area unchallenged but his shot was straight at Siwarak. Tuck had another chance ten minutes from time when a right-wing cross found him completely unmarked six yards out but he headed straight at a grateful Siwarak.
An identical chance came for Korat a minute from time but again the header went straight at Siwarak.Buriram managed to see out the rest of the game without any more dramas and went off happy with their night’s work. However, there is a lot of room for improvement and maybe Buriram had one eye on Saturday
The defence is all over the place and the marking in the box at times is non-existent.The midfield is not creating enough chances and I believe Theerathon should remain in the centre. Hopefully Macena will be back to face Muang Thong and the sooner Tunez’s ribs heal the better.
Next game is the big one, Muang Thong on Saturday August 1st (H) 19.00 and I believe it is a sell-out. Let’s hope Buriram respond to the atmosphere and send the visitors back to Bangkok with nothing but bad memories. But make no mistake, it will be tough !