If you go on any Thai football website, the same question is being asked by football fans all over the country, “What has happened to Buriram United ?”
In the last five seasons, Buriram have won 4 league titles, 4 FA Cups and 4 League Cups. This season there is a strong possibility that they will be trophyless with only the League Cup remaining .
Even then it is highly likely that Buriram will face Muang Thong in the final, having lost to them three times already this season. There is no doubt that this has hit Buriram fans hard, following on from a season when they remained unbeaten in all domestic competitions to become the self-styled “Invincibles”. A term I feel very ill-chosen.
With ten games to go, Buriram lie in third place in the league, something many clubs would be delighted with. But for the Thunder Castle faithful, this season has been a disaster. But what has brought about such a dramatic change in fortune ?
It all started before a ball was kicked when it was decided not to renew Gilberto Macena’s contract. With his Brazilian compatriot Diogo, they had scored nearly 60 goals between them. They formed a perfect partnership, forging an almost telepathic combination.
Some would point to Macena being nearly 32, but he was probably the fittest player in the team so his age was not an issue. Gilberto was desperate to stay at Buriram and did not make any financial demands. The players brought in to replace him were well below his standard so scoring goals was always going to be a problem.
All clubs have to deal with injuries, it’s part of football. However, during all the time I have been involved in the game I have never seen a team suffer so many long-term injuries to key players all at once.
I don’t think any team in the world could lose four pivotal players and not be affected drastically.
Losing Diogo for the first half of the season with a dislocated shoulder was nothing short of a disaster. That meant that both of last season’s incredible strike force were gone. A succession of “strikers” were brought in but all have been hugely disappointing.
Following on from that , Suchao was ruled out for five months with a cruciate knee ligament injury. Not only did Buriram lose an inspirational skipper, but also one of the best holding midfield players in the league.
Next Buriram lost Seul-Ki through a mystery debilitating illness which left him hardly able to walk. He was outstanding in midfield last season with his ability to hit long passes with unerring accracy. Not only that, he was a tireless runner and helped out in defence as well as chipping in with important goals.
Another MAJOR loss was Koravit. Last year he developed into arguably the best defender in Thailand but he contracted a neurological condition which threatened his career. This season Buriram’s defence has been vulnerable to through balls and Koravit’s ability to see danger before it occurrs has been badly missed.
Add to those four Anon who was also ruled out with a dislocated shoulder then it is not difficult to see why Buriram have struggled. They lost the heart of the team and although new players have come in, few of them have impressed, with the possible exception of Chitpanya.
Then of course Theerathon was transferred to bitter rivals and likely champions Muang Thong, as a result of personal issues with the club.
I have been as critical as anyone of some of Buriram’s performances but when you sit back and examine the facts in the cold light of day, it’s hardly surprising. Roll on next season.