Buriram staged a remarkable second-half come-back to claim an unlikely point against Chonburi. The visitors took command of the game with a two-goal salvo just before the break , as a dejected Buriram trooped off the pitch to regroup. It had been an abject performance by the home side with their defence being ripped to pieces by the speedy Chonburi attack.
The three at the back again exposed the sluggish Buriram defenders to rapid counter-attacks and to be truthful, Chonburi had the chances to put the game out of sight. New boy Ottesen had a nightmare baptism as his lack of pace and mobility were ruthlessly exposed by the visitors.
Chitipat again showed that he is not the answer to the problem right-back position and other debutant Coelho was played as a lone striker and desperately lacked support from a disjointed midfield which cried out for someone to start getting hold of the ball and pulling the strings.
There was no Diogo, presumably through injury and also no Coutinho.
Chonburi had a great chance to take the lead in the 8th minute following a mistake by Ottesen but the shot was straight at Siwarak. Shortly after Coelho tried his luck from distance but his fierce shot flew narrowly wide. Chonburi had the ball in the net in the 11th minute following a slip by Koravit but the referee did well to spot a tug on Ottesen.
Chonburi were using the ball over the top to great effect and Siwarak was forced into a magnificent flying save as he turned the ball over the bar. Ottesen did well to half-clear a dangerous ball into the box but when the ball was returned low across the face of the goal a Chonburi forward completely missed his kick in front of a gaping net.
After 37 minutes Chonburi broke again to have a three on two situation following another Ottesen slip but the finish was straight at Siwarak. A goal just had to come and it duly arrived in the 40th minute. More dreadful defending allowed Nural to run clear and round Siwarak before firing into the empty net.
It got worse three minutes later when another ball over the top allowed the visitors to run clear of the slow-turning defenders only for the resulting shot to hit the post. The ball rebounded to Nural on the edge of the box and he wasted no time in sending a low shot into the corner of the net.
It was no more than Chonburi deserved and Buriram looked a beaten side at the half-time whistle.
The term “a game of two halves” is much used in football and to say this was one of them would be an understatement. Buriram brought on Supachai for the struggling Chitipat and the youngster made an instant impact with his close control and direct running.
Not only that, the whole Buriram team came out with a desire and intensity that was nowhere to be seen in the first-half. From the outset, they pushed Chonburi back and chances began to arrive. Coelho was unlucky with an overhead kick and went close with a superb free-kick which was inches too high.
Buriram had another chance in the 51st minute when Supachai was brought down and Korrakot’s free-kick found Ottesen but his header was straight at the keeper.
Suchao received a yellow card in the 55th minute for a cynical foul and he was immediately replaced by Narabudin. Buriram went close again when Korrakot’s left-wing corner again found Ottesen but his downward header was just kept out at the base of the post by the keeper and Coelho’s follow-up was blocked.
It was all Buriram but Chonburi almost killed the game off in the 62nd minute when the defence were caught by another long ball but Siwarak reacted superbly to rush out and block the shot. Korrakot then picked up a yellow card for a rash challenge.
The visitors again got clear in the 67th minute when Ottesen was unable to deal with a through ball and Siwarak managed to get the faintest of touches to turn the ball wide of the post. Supachai then had a shot cleared off the line following a right-wing corner in the 73rd minute.
It was breathtaking stuff and Buriram finally pulled a goal back in the 75th minute. A lovely run down the left by Supachai saw him feed Jakkaphan who got to the byline before crossing for Coelho to hook the ball past the keeper from eight yards, though the stopper will probably feel he should’ve done better.
Three minutes later, unbelievably Buriram were level. A rejuvenated Seul-Ki surged forward from midfield but his shot was deflected wide for a corner on the right. Korrakot curled one in to the near-post for Ottesen to bury a header into the net. The Icelander’s delight was there for everyone to see as he turned hero on what had been a very difficult night for him.
Buriram were far from finished and Chonburi were rocking and there for the taking. Yossawat came on for Korrakot and Ottesen picked up a yellow card. There was almost a fairytale finish five minutes from time.
Yossawat sent over a wonderful cross for Coelho to meet with a firm header which looked in all the way until the keeper somehow managed to claw the ball away for a corner.
It almost all went horribly wrong for Buriram in stoppage time when a quick Chonburi break down the left saw the ball headed wide from five yards. It would have been cruel on Buriram but Chonburi must be kicking themselves for their first-half wastefulness.
Certainly a point gained but there are lessons to be learned . The defence has to be sorted out. It would be harsh to blame Ottesen as it was his first game and he is undoubtedly not match fit. The system needs to be changed, the lack of pace at the back demands a sweeper and one holding midfield player to sit in front of the defence to make himself available to defenders and forwards facing their own goal.
Coelho was a handful in the second-half after appearing laboured in the first and will be a useful alternative when Diogo and Coutinho return. Young players like Supachai, Supachok and Anon will also hopefully be given their chance to claim a regular place.
Next up is Navy away on Saturday February 18, kick-off 7pm.
Footnote:-
Thai referees do not exactly enjoy good press but it would be remiss of me if I didn’t commend last night’s referee on an excellent performance. He was strong, made correct decisions and was quick to stamp out attempts at time-wasting and holding up play. He was also keen to let the game flow, “Well done sir !”