After a dreadful first-half in which Buriram only managed two shots on target, Buriram ran riot to dispose of Regional Division Two side Nong Khai. Strikes by Tunez (3) , Kaio (2), Yong and Anan saw off the battling part-timers who simply ran out of steam in the second-half.
This result should not paper over the cracks of a woeful first period in which Buriram created very little in the way of clear-cut chances. The good news was the return of Koravit whose prolonged abscence has been a major headache for Buriram . Obviously, he is not match-fit but his return will be a major boost as Buriram try to close the gap on the league leaders.
Buriram gave starts to Yotsapon in goal, Adul and Chaowat in midfield, with Anan joining Weslley and Kaio up front. Buriram should have been ahead in the fifth minute when Sathaporn sent over a great cross from the left which the keeper was unable to get to and the ball fell for Anan three yards out but his weak shot was blocked on the line by a defender.
It took Buriram a further twenty minutes to threaten the home goal again when Anan laid the ball back across goal for the unmarked Adul to hit a low shot straight at the keeper. Believe it or not, that was the end of the goalmouth action and the only other event of note was a yellow card for Kaio when he expressed his displeasure too forcibly to the referee after he was brought down by a heavy challenge.
A half to forget and Buriram replaced Weslley with Yong for the second-half. Buriram took the lead in the fifty-first minute when a poor free-kick on the left went up in the air off a defender’s head, the ball was headed across goal and following a headed flick-on, Tunez had the simplest of tasks to find the net.
Buriram increased their lead two minutes later with a comical goal when a defender and the keeper collided when trying to reach a through-ball, leaving Kaio to walk the ball into the unguarded net.
Buriram scored again in the fifty-seventh minute when Yong latched onto a through ball and advanced before rather fortuously getting the ball under the keeper and into the empty net.
On the hour mark Sathaporn was replaced by Narubadin and he almost scored with his first touch, sending a long,low shot narrowly wide. Shortly after, Kaio was clean through but instead of shooting, elected to move the ball left to Yong who was forced wide and the chance was gone.
In the sixty-sixth minute, following a left-wing corner, Tunez attempted to head the ball back across goal but just as it appeared to be creeping in at the far post, the keeper palmed it away.
A minute later Chaowat fired in a free-kick from just outside the box which the keeper saved at his near-post. Chaowat was then replaced by Jakkaphan and straight after Yong received a yellow card for protesting to the referee , following a dangerous challenge on Anan.
Tunez grabbed Buriram’s third in the seventy-fourth minute when he met Jakkaphan’s right-wing corner first-time ,sending a low shot into the net from ten yards.
Buriram were creating chances at will now and Narubadin’s left-wing cross was met by Kaio who sent in a good header which was well-saved by the keeper at the expense of a corner.
It was no great surprise when Buriram scored a fifth when Kaio played Anan in and he beat the keeper with a cool finish. Kaio then turned from provider to scorer when he picked the ball up thirty yards out before firing in a strong shot from twenty yards, though the keeper could perhaps have done better.
A minute into stoppage time Tunez completed his hat-trick when he headed Jakkaphan’s right-wing corner against the post and when the ball rebounded straight back to him, he planted a firm header into the net.
So job done but we mustn’t let the second-half avalanche hide the first-half performance which was worrying. It would be nice to think a half-time rollicking from the new coach galvanized Buriram into action. Ratchaburi will provide very different opposition at Thunder Castle on Sunday. (7pm)