IT’S ALL OVER
Buriram seal Thai league title again
Buriram United retained the Thai Premier League crown with three games to spare when they defeated Bangkok Glass 3-1 at Leo Stadium yesterday.
A week ago, the Thunder Castle edged Si Sa Ket 1-0 in the Toyota League Cup final to capture the title for the fourth time.
The club from the northeast will now be focusing on completing a treble as they are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup as well.
Yesterday’s victory over Bangkok Glass gave Buriram an unassailable 13-point lead over second-placed SCG Muang Thong United, who have a match in hand and will be travelling to Ratchaburi today.
It was also the 13th straight victory for the champions who have ruthlessly decimated opponents in the second half of the league this season and are the only team to remain unbeaten in 31 matches so far.
Buriram United made their intentions of wrapping up their title campaign clear just five minutes into the match when Korawit Namwiset headed home a cross from Theerathon Bunmathan.
Buriram would not relinquish their control and their Brazilian striker Gilberto Macena failed in his attempt to double the gap by sending the ball over the bar a few minutes later.
Bangkok Glass, playing under new coach Anurak Srikerd, could have suffered the second blow when Macena chipped a Jakkraphan Kaewprom pass on to Diogo Luis Santo, whose shot was intercepted at the last moment by a home team defender.
Two minutes from half-time, the Glass Rabbits equalised through Spanish striker Toti, but their relief was short-lived.
During the three-minute injury time, the Thunder Castle sailed ahead again when a floating free-kick by Theerathon was headed into the net by unmarked South Korean midfielder Ko Seul-Ki.
A few minutes into the second half, Ko sent a long ball to Macena whose chip was saved by Bangkok Glass goalkeeper Narit Taweekul.
Buriram’s third goal came in the 56th minute when Korawit opened the ball from the left and Andres Tunez headed the ball past Narit.
Meanwhile, at Thai-Japan Stadium, Bangkok United thrashed the Navy 5-1.
Jaycee Okwunwanne gave Bangkok United the lead in the 10th minute before Dragan Boskovic added the second goal in the 17th.
Bangkok United maintained their upper hand with a third coming in the 28th minute when Frenchman Romain Gasmi shattered the net.
Anthony Ampaipitakwong added one more to the tally to make 4-0 seven minutes later and Boskovic hit the mark again in the 37th minute for Bangkok United.
Navy got a consolation through a strike by Rodrigo Vergillio.
At Khao Plong Stadium, hosts Chainat squandered a one-goal edge to suffer a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Suphanburi.
Michael Murcy had put the home team ahaed in the 57th minute but Suphanburi had goals from Sergio van Dijk in the 60th minute and Prathum Chuthong in the 69th to turn the tide.
At His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium, Nakhon Ratchasima settled for a single point after being held to a goalless draw at home by Port.
The match between Osotspa and League Cup runner-up Si Sa Ket also ended in a draw in which both side failed to find the net.
Four more matches are scheduled to be played today.