Gian Chansrichawla
Football Tribe SEA Editor
The Thai League season is set to culminate in a match of incredible stakes at the Chang Arena in Buriram this evening, as the defending champions aim to hold on to a slender two-point lead with the visit of second-placed Port FC.
Having led the league for the bulk of the first leg of the season, a loss in the reverse fixture derailed Port FC’s campaign and led them to be written off by many. However, since the appointment of coach Choktawee Promrut, the side have qualified for the FA Cup final and surged right back into the title race – and could land an astonishing reciprocal blow to Buriram’s season in tonight’s grudge match.
The worrying sign for Port, however, is the fact that they have only collected two points out of a possible 15 against the other sides in the top 4 (Buriram, Chiangrai and Bangkok United) this season. Conversely, Buriram are yet to lose at home this season and have only lost three since the mid-point of the 2016 campaign, averaging one home defeat in every 18 home games in a league consisting of just 15 this season.
Both sides will be fatigued from international duty, with Port supplying four and Buriram supplying eight of Thailand’s most recent international squad. Defender Pansa Hemviboon was ruled out of both of Thailand’s games, so it remains to be seen whether or not he will be fit to represent his club in the upcoming match.
Port’s most notable absentee will be Go Seul-Ki, the Korean midfielder who has starred for the Klongtoey side during his loan spell from Buriram. Go has proven himself to be crucial in all stages of play this season, from distributing the ball from deep positions to cutting out opposition counters to even popping up in the box to provide crucial goals or assists. His presence will be sorely missed, and the burden of creativity will fall heavily on the shoulders of Siwakorn Chakuprasart, Sergio Suarez and possibly Sumanya Purisai in his absence.
It goes without saying that this result will be watched eagerly by Chiangrai United. The title was taken out of their hands with a draw against PTT Rayong in their last outing, but they are waiting in the wings, ready to grab their chance. Stars Ekanit Panya and Phitiwat Sukjitthamakul return from international duty on fine form and will be looking to cap off stellar personal seasons with a historic title.
This, of course, assumes that Chiangrai can beat Prachuap. The Killer Wasps proved too lethal for Buriram in the recent League Cup final, but they can end up helping the side they made runners-up by stinging a top side once again.