After a dire first-half, Buriram put six past the struggling Super Power to rack up a 7-0 victory. In fact the sixth goal was the 100th that the home side had conceded in the season, not a record they will be proud of.
It got even better for Buriram later in the evening when Muang Thong’s Heberty put through his own goal in the 86th minute to give Sisaket an unlikely 2-2 draw. This leaves Buriram six points clear of Muang Thong and free-scoring Bangkok United.
However, all this cannot hide the fact that Buriram were woeful in the first-half, only taking the lead just before half-time. They lacked a cutting edge and I find it inconceivable that Koravit was left on the bench after his superb performance on Wednesday.
Buriram had a great chance to open their account in the 5th minute when the keeper fluffed an attempted clearance and it went to Coelho whose tame shot went straight back to the keeper.
Seven minutes later Coelho had another good chance when Bordin got to the byline down the right before crossing for the Brazilian to head well wide.
Tunez was unlucky to see a header cleared off the line from Bastos’ right-wing corner in the 25th minute which was just about the end of the goalmouth action until the 43rd minute.
That was when Coelho produced a moment of real quality when he collected a ball to the right of the area, before turning inside and curling a delightful left-foot shot into the far corner.
The second-half saw a flurry of Buriram goals, the first coming in the 47th minute when Sasalak crossed low from the left to leave Bastos with an easy finish.The third arrived two minutes later when Supachok showed great composure in a crowded penalty area to shoot low into the net.
Two more minutes and it was four when Coelho latched onto a through ball before calmly beating the keeper with a cool finish.
Supachok was replaced by Supachai in the 61st minute and two minutes later Coelho completed his hat-trick. Bastos’ shot was blocked but the ball fell perfectly for Coelho who gratefully accepted the chance to find the net.
Narupon then replaced Bordin in the 72nd minute and five minutes later Seul-Ki joined the party, heading in Bastos’ left-wing corner at the near-post.
Buriram were not quite finished and deep into stoppage time Seul-Ki headed a left-wing cross back for Coelho to notch his fourth.
In the end a satisfactory result but the first-half performance was very worrying. A side six points clear at the top should not be playing like that and with some tricky fixtures ahead Buriram can’t afford such a sloppy display again.
Not playing Koravit was mystifying and he must be wondering just how well he has to play to be given another chance in midfield.
There is now ANOTHER break ! Next league game is Chiang Rai at home on September 10, 7pm.