Buriram let Port off the hook
Bangkok United held to goalless tie in Korat
Buriram United’s seven-game winning streak in Thai League 1 finally came to a halt last night when Port rallied from a twogoal deficit to hold the defending champions to a 2-2 draw in an entertaining tussle.
However, the northeastern giants’ inability to defend their big lead at PAT Stadium didn’t alter the picture at the top of the league table as Buriram succeeded in retaining their nine-point lead over second-placed True Bangkok United.
Bangkok United failed to shunt aside their inconsistent form and had to settle for a goalless draw away at Nakhon Ratchsima last night.
Buriram’s Ratthanakorn Maikami rammed a long drive into right post and the ball bounced back into the box in the 26th minute. Diogo Luis Santo outpaced a couple of defenders to the loose ball. His angular shot from the left hit the same post again but this time the ball skidded into the net.
Diogo once again beat the Port defenders with a sudden burst of pace as he chased down a long lob from Buriram skipper Suchao Nutnum to claim his second goal of the match from close range five minutes later.
A Buriram defender scythed down Dragan Boskovic just outside the area shortly before the break and resulting freekick allowed Port to pull one back.
Pakorn Prempaka’s brilliant kick from a metre outside the box flew over the Buriram wall and curled past the outstretched right hand of their goalkeeper Siwarak Tedsungnoen.
The two sides continued to trade attacks in the second half but Buriram looked more vulnerable and had a few close shaves.
The home team’s equaliser was simply a gift from the Thunder Castle who left Kim Sung-Hwan unmarked in a gaping hole right in front of the goal, allowing the South Korean to head home a short cross from the left with ease in the 52nd minute.
Diogo came close to completing his hat-trick but his free-kick hit the right post in the last minute of injury time.
Former league-winning coach Totchtawan Sripan heaved a sigh of relief as Police Tero edged hosts Ubon UMT United 2-1 with a late goal last night.
Totchtawan had been without a win in his first five matches in charge of the Police team, who remain in the relegation zone.
In the other game last night, SCG Muang Thong United managed a 1-1 draw at Suphanburi despite losing Wattana Playnum in the 77th minute.