Southeast Asia Thailand

Buriram Dismantle Rayong to Reinvigorate Title Charge

Gian Chansrichawla

Football Tribe SEA Editor

 

Buriram United returned to winning ways with a 5-0 demolition of relegation battling PTT Rayong at the Chang Arena on Wednesday night.

Heading into the game, the defending champions had suffered a defeat to Chainat and a draw away against Sukhothai, piling on the pressure for Bozidar Bandovic and his men. This run of results saw Port FC slip out of their grasp, as they sat five points behind the league leaders heading into this game in hand.

Despite the results and the possibility of the recent King’s Cup having a wear-and-tear effect both on the pitch and the players’ fitness, Buriram began the game explosively against the visitors. Their heavily attack-orientated lineup saw Hajime Hosogai serving as a one-man pivot behind what was effectively a four-man strong forward line. Additionally, 16-year-old Suphanat Mueanta earned another start for his club, having won his first cap for Thailand last week.

Buriram came close to breaking the deadlock after 20 minutes, as Hosogai got on the half-hearted clearance from Suppasek Kaikaew, firing a low shot which was denied by the visitor’s goalkeeper. Striker Pedro Junior was on hand to reach the rebound, but ultimately he sent his half-volley flying over the crossbar.

The hosts’ goalkeeper Siwarak Tedsuengnoen was rarely tested by Rayong’s advances, but a long shot from Anawin Jujeen in the 25th minute kept the shot-stopper on his toes.

The deadlock was finally broken when a low cross from Narubadin Weerawatnodom made its way to the penalty spot, where opposite full-back Sasalak Haiprakhon was on hand to score with a first-time finish. His strike meant that the defending champions went into the break ahead.

Emerging for the second half, Buriram looked to have turned up a gear as it took them just over the minute to find the net again. Suphanat Mueanta managed to bring Sasalak’s lobbed pass under control and dribble his way to the by-line before sliding a low cross through the penalty area, which was ultimately turned in by Pedro Junior.

Captain Andres Tunez would then have his say on proceedings, heading in his first from a corner in the 55th minute. Moments later, the center-half doubled his lead by stepping up to the penalty spot, slamming in his spot-kick to give his side a 4-goal lead.

The game was capped off by a goal from Suphanat, as the youngster made the most of scramble in the penalty box to side-foot his first-time effort into the far corner.

This result leaves Buriram just two points behind league leaders Port, who they prepare to visit this Sunday, in what is set to be this season’s biggest and most consequential game so far.