After a promising performance against high-flying Bangkok United, the new-look Buriram travelled to struggling Navy,looking to end their winless run. However, they once again failed to overcome weaker opposition with a hugely disappointing display.
Buriram had the lion’s share of the play but their football lacked pace and invention, allowing the home side to get men behind the ball to comfortably snuff out Buriram’s powder-puff attack.
The second-half was dire with the Navy keeper not having to make a single save of any note. Yes, the new players need time to bed in but sides like Navy should be swept aside with ease. Buriram did have chances in the first-half, the best falling to Diogo who created it for himself before missing the target.
Buriram were without Tunez who was replaced by new-signing Adisak with Jakkaphan taking over as skipper. Kaio was recalled and dropped back into midfield.
Buriram had a great chance to take the lead in the sixth minute when Sieghart did well down the left before pulling the ball back for the unmarked Chitpanya whose low shot was turned aside by the keeper.
Two minutes later the keeper saved again from Kaio who fired in a shot from the edge of the area. Navy then threatened in the sixteenth minute when a left-wing cross found an unmarked forward in the box but his shot was deflected for a corner.
They had another chance three minutes later but shot wide from a great position. Buriram should have broken the deadlock in the twenty-fourth minute when superb control by Diogo left him with only the keeper to beat but he placed his shot wide of the far-post.
A minute later Kaio tested the keeper with a twenty-yard shot but he made another good save. The first yellow card went to the very unfortunate Chitpanya in the thirty-fourth minute .
Shortly after Diogo made a good run down the right before beating a defender and crossing for Moreira to head over.
Buriram had created chances but failed to take them and the defence was looking a little suspect at times. Improvement was needed.
Five minutes in to the second-half Adisak was shown a yellow card, this time fully deserved. Sieghart was replaced by Anon in the fifty-seventh minute as Buriram looked to make the breakthrough.
On the hour mark Diogo was sent clear and the keeper almost made a hash of a routine save before the ball was hacked away. Seven minutes later Kaio was replaced by Supachok and he almost made an impact when he sent Moreira clear in the seventy-third minute but the striker’s shot lacked accuracy and power.
Buriram then took off Jakkaphan for Surat before Diogo received a harsh yellow card from a very poor referee. The visitors almost snatched a dramatic winner a minute from time but Chitpanya’s powerful twenty-yard shot was inches too high.
There was still time for Narubadin to collect an unnecessary yellow card before the referee finally put the crowd out of their misery.
This was a VERY poor performance and few came out of it with any credit. There was no passion, no get-up and go against a side who will likely go down. Things will have to improve for the visit of a useful Chiang Rai side on Sunday.(7pm)