Buriram are just one win away from retaining their Thai Premier League title after sweeping aside in-form Nakhon Ratchasima who had won four of their last five games.They certainly gave Buriram a game and troubled them at times with their pace and movement.
But the reality is that Buriram just had too many players of genuine class for their Isan neighbours to deal with. Once again, Seul Ki was imperious in midfield and Tunez showed why he has to be the best defender in the league. Add to that the clinical finishing of Diogo, the non-stop running of Macena and you have the reason for Buriram’s dominance.
Buriram were without Theerathon but although his dead-ball prowess was missed,the home side just carried on from where they left off last week to record another big victory, the thirteenth in succession.That is a remarkable achievement at any level.
Anon came in for Theerathon and Buriram almost had the dream start. In the first minute. Diogo had his heels clipped out on the right and a quickly taken free-kick caught the Korat defence napping as Narubadin flashed the ball across the face of the goal.
Buriram continued to press and the game was being played at a fast pace.In the eleventh minute Suchao fed Diogo who got to the byline but his cross was blocked. A minute later Macena cut in from the left but his low shot was saved,though the reprieve was short-lived.
In the thirteenth minute a ball in from the left reached Seul Ki but he resisted the temptation to shoot as his body position was awkward. Instead, he coolly played a low ball into Macena who was under pressure from a defender. The ball came back to the Korean and he rifled a low shot into the corner from outside the area.
An outstanding strike from a player on the top of his game. Buriram came close to increasing their lead in the nineteenth minute when Jakkaphan made a fine run down the left before crashing in a fierce shot which the keeper acrobatically turned over the bar.
Korat were attacking whenever they could and almost equalized in the twenty-fifth minute.They progressed down the right and when a low shot came in Siwarak couldn’t hold it and the ball rebounded off Tunez before landing on top of the net. Buriram responded well and should have been awarded a penalty on the half-hour mark.
Diogo picked the ball up in the right side of the area and as he ran past and across a defender he was sent sprawling. The ball broke to Macena who in turn was flattened by a desperate tackle ,leaving two very bemused Brazilians looking on in disbelief.
Five miutes later the duo teamed up in a delightful move which got them to the edge of the area. However, they attempted one pass too many and the ball was cleared. It was certainly an entertaining game,played at a lively pace and the visitors almost levelled a minute from half-time.
Following a short corner on the right, the ball was played into the box and Siwarak did well to get down and hold a header. Deep into stoppage time Macena collected a lovely long ball before playing in Diogo but his hurried shot flew well-wide.
An entertaining half with Buriram well-worth their lead. However, the game was far from over with Korat looking dangerous at times,though the Buriram defence was still looking solid. So it was game on for the second-half.
Buriram came out on the offensive and Macena won of couple of early corners with his persitence and direct running.From the second of these Buriram increased their lead in the fifty-second minute. Suchao crossed from the right and found Tunez completely unmarked and the big defender calmly headed low into the corner of the net.
Five minutes later Jakkaphan was replaced by Chaowat after he had been hurt in an earlier tackle.Buriram carved out another good chance when Macena found Diogo in the box but the big striker tried an extravagant chip which missed the target.
Buriram caused more panic in the visitors’ defence in the fifty-eighth minute when Macena made a great run out of defence before playing a one-two with Seul KI. The Brazilian raced down the left wing before sending over a dangerous cross which a defender was grateful to head over the bar.
Narubadin was then inches away a minute later when he sent over a cross-cum shot from the right which eluded the keeper but struck the crossbar. But Buriram were not to be denied and scored a superb third goal in the sixty-second minute.
The defence broke up a Korat attack and Seul Ki picked the ball up before sending Diogo racing clear with a wonderfully weighted high, through ball. Diogo took it in his stride with excellent control before advancing to coolly beat the keeper with a low shot.
Suchao was replaced by Prakit in the sixty-sixth minute and Buriram almost grabbed a fourth immediately. They broke from defence and Macena got to the byline down the left before crossing low into the box. Seul Ki got to the ball first but couldn’t get any power into his effort and the keeper managed to turn the ball round for a corner.
Anon had done well and he made a good run down the left but his cross was blocked in the seventy-third minute. It was his last taste of action as he was then replaced by Anawin.Korat almost pulled a goal back shortly after.Following a cross from the left, Siwarak was beaten by a low shot but the ball came back off the inside of the post.
The Seul Ki – Diogo combination gave a reprise of their earlier effort in the seventy-ninth minute when Seul Ki again found Diogo with another wonderful through ball. The striker timed his run perfectly to beat the offside trap and he lifted the bouncing ball over the keeper with the outside of his foot before calmly slotting in from a tight angle.
Great vision by Seul Ki and great finishing by Diogo. Buriram were far from finished and ten minutes from time Diogo picked the ball up on the left before crossing low but Macena just failed to reach the ball as he slid in. Prakit was then fouled and Korawit’s fierce free-kick was only just too high.
Despite finishing strongly , Buriram were unable to add to their tally but they ran out convincing winners. Seul Ki was outstanding in midfield. He has tenacity but he also has the ability to spray passes around, reminiscent of a certain Mr. Beckham.
Tunez just appears to have so much time and rarely wastes possession. A collossus at the back.
Buriram are streets ahead of all their rivals and Muang Thong have been left trailing ten points adrift of the Champions elect. Buriram can clinch the title at Bangkok Glass on Saturday 7pm before turning their attention to Chainat in the FA Cup semi-final on Wednesday 7pm in Bangkok.