Buriram claimed another 1-0 victory in their “friendly” with Johor Darul Ta’zim. However, it would appear that someone forgot to inform the Malaysian champions that it was a friendly as they subjected Buriram to some robust tackling from the first whistle.
Buriram tried a new defensive formation of three at the back with Suchao a surprise selection at right-back. Kanu played in the centre of defence with Yossawat and Narabudin wide left and right respectively in midfield.
Buriram made a bright start but as stated earlier, several promising attacks were halted by some cynical tackling. One of these free-kicks resulted in Buriram taking the lead in the sixth minute.
Yossawat swung over a lovely free-kick from wide on the left and Diogo timed his run perfectly to score with a clinical finish from six yards.
It was almost two three minutes later when Buriram sliced open the visitors’ defence with a delightful move from a free-kick. Coutinho found Supachok wide right with a cheeky chip over the defence and the resulting cross was met by Kanu with a bullet header which the keeper somehow turned over the bar. A remarkable save.
A minute later Coutinho produced some dazzling close control when he ran at the defence,beating five defenders in a mazy dribble before sending a low shot towards the corner of the net but the keeper got the slightest of touches to turn it round the post.
It really was a stunning piece of skill by the Brazillian who so far looks to be an inspired signing.
Buriram came close again in the 25th minute when Yossawat’s left-wing cross struck a defender and the ball looped against the crossbar. The visitors’ defence was then breached again in the 28th minute.
Seul-Ki threaded a lovely through ball for Diogo to run clear down the right channel before striking a shot against the post from a tight angle.
Yossawat produced another good cross from the left in the 41st minute for Coutinho to create space for himself with a lovely first touch before sending a low shot narrowly wide.
The new defensive formation had not really been tested as Buriram had dominated possession but there were a few alarm bells and I think Suchao would struggle against a pacy winger. Kanu did nothing wrong but perhaps Koravit needs to be in the centre to marshall defensive operations.
Both teams made several changes during the second-half so the game lost all shape and pattern. The only real incident of note came in the 49th minute when Diogo raced clear down the left-channel . He drew the keeper before unselfishly slipping the ball to his right to the unmarked substitute Supachai.
However, with an open goal at his mercy he got his legs in a tangle and missed the ball completely. One to forget !
The first-half was a useful workout against a team who were certainly “competitive” and it will be inertesting to see how things go against the Myanmar League All-Stars on Wednesday.
It would appear that the league fixtures have been drawn up but at the moment all we can tell you is that Buriram’s first game is home to Chonburi on either February 11 or 12.
Still no concrete news about Tunez’s transfer but it is believed he is going to China.
Just a brief mention about popular former head coach Alexandre Gama. He has been appointed head coach at big spending Chiangrai United .