Buriram failed to qualify for the knock-out stages of the Champions League despite thrashing Guangzhou 5-0 at Thunder Castle. Buriram knew they had to better Gamba Osaka’s result and with eight minutes to go, all was going well.
Then news filtered through that Gamba had taken the lead against the Korean group leaders after being a goal down at half-time.This put Buriram out on the head-to-head rule .
It was a cruel way for Buriram to go out after they had demolished their Chinese visitors.The players were distraught but they can hold their heads high after a five-star performance that deserved a better reward.In fact Buriram, Seongnam and Gamba Osaka all finished on 10 points. Guangzhou were taken out of the equation and Buriram finished third in the new mini-league.
When the emotions have subsided we can point to two factors that caused Buriram’s exit. First, they had chances to bury Gamba in the home tie but failed to take them and were punished.
Second, the two disgraceful penalty decisions that went against Buriram in Korea. A point in either of those two games would have seen Buriram through.But it was not to be and so we now have to look forward to attaining more domestic glory.
Buriram are a changed team. They have gone from goal-shy to goal- crazy! Macena and Diogo are now looking a very potent strike force. Earlier I felt that Diogo was not a natural goal-scorer.
I was wrong. He is now showing the predetory instincts of a true striker, his hat-trick last night being a perfect example of composed finishing. Macena is a perfect foil for him and Thai defences will not be relishing coming up against them in this mood.
Back to the game. Buriram knew nothing less than a win would do and went looking for an early goal. A fourth minute Theeraton inswinging corner was unconvincingly punched away by the Chinese keeper.
Two minutes later the Chinese almost took a surprise lead when their captain curled a shot onto the angle of bar and post from the left corner of the box. Immediately after Guangzhou had another great chance but shot wide after a pull-back from the right.
That was the last we were to see of the Chinese as an attacking force as Buriram assumed total control. The opening goal came after eleven minutes and what a great goal it was.
Tunez found Theeraton who fed Macena on the left wing. The Brazilian advanced before putting a beautiful diagonal ball into the box. Diogo showed great anticipation and timed his run perfectly to calmly place a first-time shot past the helpless keeper.
Buriram went in search of more goals but despite several free-kicks and corners, they had to wait until the thirty-fourth minute for their second. Prakit hit a dipping thirty- yard shot which the keeper somehow managed to scramble away for a corner from the right.
Instead of the usual Theeraton inswinger, Suchao sent over a perfect cross which found the unmarked Tunez and the big defender made no mistake with a firm header. Three minutes later, it was three.
Theeraton again set Macena free down the left and he sent over another inviting cross into the box. Prakit challenged for the ball but it broke backwards and Diogo, showing great courage and control, coolly found the net under pressure from two defenders.
Three minutes before the interval Naruphol came on for the injured Prakit and Buriram went in at half-time with the game sewn up. News came through that Gamba were making little impression on their Korean opponents who were deservedly winning 1-0.
So it was looking good for Buriram who went straight on the offensive in the second-half. Macena shot over when a Theeraton corner was half-cleared to him on the edge of the box.
Then Macena found Naruphol in a similar position but his shot was inches too high. After fifty-one minutes Theeraton crossed from the left and Diogo bravely got to the ball just before the keeper but couldn’t force it past him.
However, the fourth goal was not long-delayed, arriving in the fifty-fifth minute. Diogo picked up the ball mid-way in the Guangzhou half.He ran at the defence who retreated and allowed him to reach the penalty area without making a challenge.
Diogo needed no further invitation to shoot and although the keeper got a hand to the ball he couldn’t prevent it entering the net. Four minutes later, it was five !!
A long ball out of defence was seized on by Macena who galloped down the right-channel and into the area. The angle was pretty narrow but Macena placed his shot across the keeper and in at the far-post.
After sixty-two minutes Macena almost repeated the dose but was just wide. The dreaded news that Gamba had equalized came through but as the scores stood, Buriram would qualify.
Suchao was struggling after a knock and was replaced by Jakkraphan. Chitipat was then felled by a nasty, high challenge and the culprit was lucky to escape with a yellow card instead of a red.
Buriram were now content to play possession football and the Chinese were just waiting for the final whistle. Then the crowd appeared to fall silent and it became apparent that Gamba had taken the lead.
The players were visibly crest-fallen and were finding it difficult to focus on the game. At the final whistle their faces told the whole story as they wandered about as if in a daze.
Yes, it’s a huge disappointment but they have done themselves, the fans and Thai football proud. To get ten points and not go through is very harsh indeed. But football can be an emotional rollercoaster and we rode it last night.
Buriram travel to TOT on Sunday May 10th 6pm. There are no league fixtures until June 20th due to international committments.