Buriram moved into the last 16 of the League Cup with a 2-1 victory at League 2 Chainat Hornbill. However, it was a dreadful performance with the home side being much the better side for a lot of the game.
So disappointing were Buriram that the President was moved to publicly say that it simply wasn’t good enough and totally unacceptable.
Buriram’s defence looked vulnerable as they allowed Chainat far too much space particularly down the flanks. Chitipat again showed that he does not have what it takes and things only improved with the late introduction of Pansa.
Another concern was the lack of pace in Buriram’s attacks, with the long ball forward being used far too often. However, this was often due to lack of movement off the ball, not giving options to the man in possession.
Diogo was again left on the bench, raising further concerns about his fitness. The home side started brightly and Siwarak was forced into a smart save in the 7th minute, turning a well-struck shot over the bar.
From the resulting left-wing corner,the ball was headed down and Chatchai got down low to head past a helpless Siwarak. Poor defending all round.
Buriram went in search of an equalizer but had to wait until the 25th minute for it to arrive.A flowing move out of defence saw Coelho feed Bastos who turned inside his marker on the edge of the area before lifting the ball over the keeper.
A well-taken and crafted goal.
It should have been two seven minutes later when Bordin was sent clear on goal but placed a low shot wide of the post. Shortly after, Siwarak made a good save from a deflected shot after the Buriram defence had been cut wide open.
Narubadin saw yellow in the 35th minute following a needless foul and a couple of minutes later Chainat had a great chance to take the lead. The Buriram defence was split once again but the resulting shot ended way over the bar. A let-off.
Just before the interval Coelho managed to stay onside and he was left with a one-on-one with the keeper but could only fire a low shot against his outstretched body.
Coelho tested the keeper again in stoppage time with a header which was turned round the post.
A disappointing half with Chainat keeping possession far better than their illustrious opponents and a big improvement was needed from Buriram to prevent a cup upset.
Buriram started the second period well and Coelho sent a free-kick well wide from thirty yards. In the 56th minute a good move down the right saw Coelho turn inside before firing in a powerful shot which was blocked by a desperate defender.
Just after Supachok came on for the the totally ineffective Supachai before the home side squandered a great chance to go ahead. Dreadful marking allowed Chainat a clear sight of goal but fortunately the shot was straight at Siwarak.
After that neither side created anything of note and in the 76th minute Pansa came on for Bordin.
Out of the blue, Buriram grabbed an unlikely winner four minutes from time. Coelho received the ball on the edge of the area and he sent in a shot which the keeper made a complete hash of and the ball rolled slowly over the line.
So on to the next round but Buriram can count themselves very fortunate indeed to get away with such a lack-lustre display. They can forget any hope of regaining the title if this kind of display is repeated in the league.
Next up is Ubon at home in the league on Saturday July 29, 8pm.