Southeast Asia Thailand

Buriram Inches Away From Title Ahead of Final Day

Obb Deewajin

Football Tribe Thailand

 

And here we are – Matchday 30th of the 2019 Thai League season. Last week, Buriram United held on to their lead atop the table with a controversial win over then-title challenger Port FC. One final victory against the relegated Chiangmai FC would see them lift their 8th league title. 

Off the field, confidence is roaring within the Thunder Castle camp – Chairman Newin Chidchob already wrote an open letter asking the Thai League NOT to award them the title at Chiangmai but to have the celebration back at the Chang Arena instead. On the field, head coach Bozidar Bandovic still has to conduct a last-minute fitness check on center-back Pansa Hemviboon while another defender, Chitipat Tanklang, and midfield dynamo Jakkaphan Kaewprom will definitely miss this match due to injury. 

A win would give Buriram United the title, but if they failed to do so, Chiangrai United are ready to pounce. The Beetles are set to visit Suphanburi FC – a team one point above safety which may or may not be struggling to survive (but more on that later). And as we all know, Chiangrai United have a really close relationship with Chiangmai FC – and it will be interesting to see how hard the Lanna Tigers fight on Saturday. What better to leave an impression on the league than knocking the reigning champions off their perch.

Chiangrai boss Ailton Silva doesn’t have any major injury concern to worry about and we can expect to see the trio of William Henrique, Ekanit Panya, and Bill Rosimar terrorize to opposition’s defense once again. William Henrique stood out in the 4-1 demolition of PT Prachuap FC last week but you cannot overlook Bill Rosimar’s link-up play in that game. The former Coritiba striker’s ability to play in others around him will be key to unlock Suphanburi FC’s tight-knit defense.

Adebayo Gbadebo’s team might only be a point above the drop zone but they are on a run of decent form – notching up 10 points from their previous 5 outings which has also seen them remain unbeaten in three matches. Yet, the biggest push for Suphanburi FC’s chance of survival is the rumor that PTT Rayong “taking a break” from the next Thai League season – more information will be released on the 28th of October.

If the said rumor is true (which is likely given that the players and staff are already posting #savepttrayong), then either only two T1 clubs will be relegated (Chainat Hornbill FC & Chiangmai FC) or an additional club will be promoted from the second-tier.

The PTT Rayong bombshell may have killed what was a thrilling fight for survival, and no other final day fixture got spoiled as much as Nakhon Ratchasima FC (12th) versus Sukhothai FC (14th). While it was expected to determine which of the two sides – if not both – remained in the division.