Obb Deewajin (Football Tribe Thailand)
Seven-time Thai League winner Buriram United heads into the 2019 Thailand Champions Cup after an emphatic 3-0 victory over 2nd tier Angthong FC. Having been beaten by Chiangrai United on penalties in 2018, “The Thunder Castle” have built up Saturday’s game as a chance for revenge.
Losing key man Diogo Luis Santo will definitely have an impact on Buriram’s overall quality, and Bozidar Bandovic must be allowed time to adjust to life after the Brazilian. Yet, the team is as strong as ever in other areas. Ex Brazil international forward Osvaldo took a little while acclimating to life in Thailand but has been in superb form, being involved in 7 goals in the last 8 league games last season. He’ll be expected to fill in Diogo’s vacant space, linking play and creating chances in the final third.
What’s interesting is who’ll partner him up front in Bandovic’s 3-4-1-2 formation. Although signed as a replacement for Diogo, Maïga couldn’t be more different. So far, the Mali international has operated more like a target man, using his strength to hold up play and fancying his chances in the box. He could be a real threat against teams which sit deep.
On the other hand, Javier Patiño’s game offers more flexibility as he returns from a fine Asian Cup campaign with the Philippines. However, at the moment, Maïga and Osvaldo seem like the prefered pairing.
Elsewhere Champions Cup holders Chiangrai United have also gone through a significant transition, replacing head coach Alexandre Gama with Jose Alves Borges. “The Beetles” are in high spirits after beating V League Champions Hanoi FC 3-2 to lift the Leo Pre-Season Cup. Under Borges, the team has looked slightly more adventurous, often attacking down both flanks.
Main striker “Bill” Rosimar Amâncio returns somewhat chubby but with his goal instinct is still in tact as evidenced by his pre-season scoring record. Additionally, core members of the 2018 squad, such as left-winger Chaiyawat Buran, defender Shinnaphat Leeaoh and ex-South Korean international midfielder Lee Yong-Rae are in great condition.
The few new signings by Chiangrai United have been pretty much on point. Defender Brinner Henrique a like-for-like replacement for the towering Victor Cardozo, while experienced midfielder Peerapong Pichitchotirat offers great passing range which should complement Chiangrai’s pacey attack well.
We’ll probably see a more open game than the previous meeting between the two with both wingbacks playing an important role in Saturday’s game. There’ll be a lot of chances created and whoever makes the most of it will be the likely winner. Cheers to a great evening of football!
