Buriram rally to break down Rabbits
Muang Thong come alive early in second half to gun down hosts Port as league resumes
>> Thai League 1 leaders Buriram United got off to a fast start to the second half of the season with a 2-1 defeat of Bangkok Glass last night.
The league resumed yesterday after a two-week mid-season break.
With the win, Buriram extended their lead to five points over Bangkok United who are at home to Police Tero today.
With the loss, Bangkok Glass, seen as dark horses in the title race before the season started, remain in the relegation zone.
The struggling Glass Rabbits stunned the visitors in the fifth minute when Surachart Sareepim opened the scoring at Leo Stadium.
However, the defending champions were behind for only four minutes as in-form striker Diogo Luis Santo hit the equaliser.
Although Buriram dominated for long periods, they could not break the Rabbits’ defence.
The Thunder Castle went ahead after 53 minutes through Supachok Sarachart.
At PAT Stadium, hosts Port lost 3-2 to bitter rivals SCG Muang Thong United.
Following a scoreless first half, the match came alive right after the interval.
The visitors scored three goals inside the first six minutes of the second half through Sanukran Thinjom (46th minute), Sarach Yooyen (48) and Heberty Fernandes (51).
However, the hosts soon hit back with two goals from Sergio Suarez (53) and Dragan Boskovic (58).
Port threw everything at the Kirins in the closing stages but lacked sharpness up front as they squandered a number of chances with Boskovic missing a sitter.
Muang Thong also had their own chances but failed to beat Port goalkeeper Rattanai Songsangchan who made a couple of fine saves.
The win avenged Muang Thong’s home loss to Port earlier in the season.
At Singha Stadium, hosts Chiang Rai United hammered Sukhothai 4-0.
The visitors did well to hold the bigspending home side to a scoreless draw in the first half.
But Sivakorn Tiatrakul opened the floodgates by hitting the target in 51st minute.
Sivakorn got his second goal in the 59th minute, which was followed by strikes by William Henrique (70) and Akkrawin Sawaddee (80).
Meanwhile, it was reported that Chiang Rai wanted to sign striker Heberty from Muang Thong but the Kirins extended the Brazilian’s contract a few days ago.
Promoted Prachuap FC continued their fine run at home by beating Ubon UMT 2-1.