Thai League Champions Buriram United have taken a massive step towards defending their title with an impressive 3-0 away victory over arch-rivals Muangthong United. The visitors remained compact and put in a typically disciplined performance, with goals from Korrakot Wiriyaudomsiri, Yoo Jun-Soo and former Brazil international Osvaldo bringing the Thunder Castle ever closer to their seventh Thai League title.
Second-placed Bangkok United did their best to keep the pressure on their decorated opponents with a 4-2 thrashing of Chonburi, saving Muangthong the embarrassment of having their historical nemesis celebrate the title on their own patch. Ultimately, there is very little the capital-based club can do as Buriram only need a solitary victory from their remaining four games to complete the job.
A dramatic end to a relegation six-pointer between Ratchaburi FC and Chainat Hornbill saw the latter fall into the relegation zone, raising the stakes for the final weeks of the season. Ubon’s relegation was confirmed after a 2-2 draw with Suphanburi, meaning that Siam Navy, Police Tero, Chainat, Sukhothai, Suphanburi, Ratchaburi, Bangkok Glass, and Chonburi are the teams mathematically remaining in the relegation fight, to differing degrees of concern.
Elsewhere, in the lower reaches of the Thai League system, JL Chiangmai was crowned as Champions of the nation’s third division after a playoff victory over MOF Customs United. The two sides will be joined by Ayutthaya United in the T2 league next season.