Move forward, Popovic tells Buriram
Coach urges Thunder Castle to bounce back from recent losses and rekindle title charge
>> Buriram United coach Ranko Popovic is urging his players to forget their recent defeats and regroup to put their Thai League 1 campaign back on track.
Buriram, who f ace Sukhothai today, have suffered two consecutive setbacks, losing 2-1 at Bangkok Glass and 4-3 at home to Ratchaburi.
The Thunder Castle rallied from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with Ratchaburi only for the visitors to secure a lastgasp winner.
“We lost our concentration,” Popovic said.
“We have to forget everything and move forward. We have to work harder and get as many wins as possible.”
Buriram are second, seven points behind SCG Muang Thong United.
Although Sukhothai are among contenders for relegation, they did well in their last match when they earned a 2-2 draw at Bangkok Glass.
“We have to win the next game to regain our confidence,” Popovic said.
Muang Thong should have few problems when they travel to lowly Thai Honda tomorrow.
Muang Thong coach Totchtawan Sripan is likely to rotate his players after losing 2-1 at Kashima Antlers in their final Group E game in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday. The defeat was meaningless as the Kirins had already booked a place in the knockout stages of the event.
Newcomers Thai Honda, who are third from last, face a daunting task against the team with the best records in both attack and defence.
Muang Thong have scored 33 goals and conceded only six in 13 games.
Bangkok United, another falling giants, have a good chance to stop the rot when they host Si Sa Ket today.
Si Sa Ket are poor travellers, having lost all their seven away games so far.
Bangkok United were runners-up to Muang Thong last season but are currently eighth.
Also today, unpredictable Ratchaburi visit Suphanburi who are hit by reports that their star midfielder Charyl Chappuis is set to join a bigger club after the first half of the season.