Last Day: 2017

TPL

Chonburi 1-2 Buriram Utd

Chonburi Stadium

Attendance: 3,818

Saturday 18th November, 2017

Programme

Match report

by Peter Reeves

It was a case of here we go again as the league leaders came to town. A few weeks ago in the League Cup, Chonburi had dominated the game and ended up with nothing, losing on penalties. There were lessons to be learnt from that encounter. The first one being keep a disciplined shape and organization and you have half a chance. The second being there’s little to be afraid of other than Newin’s prayers to the heavens. 

It is probably unfair having only seen them three times this season, but Buriram Utd do not look like runaway leaders of this ‘premier’ league to me. So often relying on long balls over the top to a Diogo, who has never looked the force he used to be They look ordinary at times. The Sharks had to have discipline and they had to believe.

 

Buriram started OK and looked like they meant business, as you might expect, and had Chonburi chasing early shadows. On 4 minutes a half chance was created, but a poor effort from the edge of the box. A minute later, a better opportunity in on the left side, but the forward took far too long and the chance was wasted. Chonburi though were getting into the game. Lots of passes,but as usual, just no cutting edge. 

When faced by a bank of 5 and 4 you need someone who can do something creative and unexpected, a failing Chonburi have had all season. Sometimes you need a little luck and on 12 minutes the Sharks got it. A few passes around the box and a shocking defensive header by the Buriram defender gave Nurul space. A clumsy challenge in panic and down he went. For once a clear penalty. 1-0.

 

This is where you need discipline to keep control of the ball for the next 10 or 15 minutes and for once the Sharks were doing OK. They seemed to retreat  a bit, like the little kid in the playground who gives the school bully a whack and then stands back waiting for the inevitable response. But the response from Buriram was muted and ineffective. On 31 they created the best of their first half chances. The striker, through one on one with Chanin facing him, got it all wrong and the keeper saved.

 

The last 15 was all Buriram possession, but no end product. Half time. The Sharks had done OK. They had the lead and the back line had only been breached a couple of times. Nothing to fear here.   Buriram just looked average and were not slow in leaving the foot in in a few challenges.

 

The second half started much the same as the first, but on 52 minutes the defining moment for me. A good ball put Nurul through on the right. Clear sight of the goal area with a defender chasing him and the keeper in front of him. In that scenario you cut across the front of your defender. If he makes the challenge it’s a penalty, but you get a clearer sight of goal and the options. However, he decided to go wide, create a poor angle for himself. He could still cut it across the box for a team mate, but he went for glory and messed it up. 2-0 and you’ve got them, but no. Silly boy, and within 10 minutes it had all changed. 

Diogo got round the back of the defender and the slightest touch and down he went, Of course he did. There was contact, but for heaven’s sake, my granny wouldn’t have gone down under that powder puff challenge. Is it cheating? Could be construed as such, but it’s part and parcel now isn’t it. 1-1 and the writing was on the wall.

 

Three minutes later another clear chance for Buriram wasted and the Sharks were flagging.

Chonburi to their credit were still trying to come forward, but the first half hour’s momentum had gone, as it does when you try and hold a lead. On 78 a ball down the right that looked yards offside when the ball was played, over came the cross to Diogo. His first header was saved by Chanin, though he really should have done better than just put it back to the striker, who knocked it in.

 

They’d given it a go but come up short again. Effort levels were good but the same old problems every week that are not being addressed. Chonburi though were worth a draw and a bit more composure and intelligence from Nurul and they might have won it.

 

They lost the match, but more worrying from my view, is that they’ve lost the people. The stadium looked sparsely populated and not what you would expect for the visit of a high profile club. Once again lessons to be learned, if people were paying attention.

Highlights