Buriram in with a chance to pull away
Thunder Castle meet lowly Ubon as Bangkok United face fifth-placed Prachuap tonight
>> Reigning champions Buriram United are hoping to pull further away from second-placed Bangkok United as the two leading contenders for this year’s Thai League 1 title face disparate challenges tonight.
While Buriram take on relegationthreatened Ubon UMT United at home in a northeastern derby, Bangkok United square off against fifth-placed PT Prachuap, whose latest victims include former champions SCG Muang Thong United.
Buriram United, boosted by their recent signing Chris Herd of Australia, are currently at the top of the league table with 53 points, enjoying a sevenpoint upper hand on Bangkok United. Their opponents Ubon UMT are in the 17th place with only 15 points.
Buriram assistant team manager Sirichai Kimoto, however, warned the Thunder Castle against underestimating Ubon.
“We are seven points clear at the top but that doesn’t mean we should start taking our opponents for granted,” said Sirichai.
“Ubon are in the red zone and desperately need to win a few games, so we would have to play at our best against them.
“It is important that we beat Ubon and claim three more points.”
Buriram beat Thai League 3 side Trang FC 1-0 after extra time in midweek to reach the League Cup quarter-finals.
Ubon UMT chairman Wirasak Jinarat said: “It will be a tough match for our team. Everyone knows that Buriram are a strong team and they are the defending champions. To beat them is really difficult. We will try our best to take a point from them.”
Bangkok United assistant coach Watsapol Kaewpaluek admitted on the eve of their home game with Prachuap that his men were lacking in confidence.
“We have lost several matches and are seven points behind Buriram United, and we have also been knocked out of the two cup competitions,” said Watsapol.
“The team need to regain confidence. We need to start winning again and we hope to start doing that with the game against Prachuap.”
PT Prachuap coach Thawatchai Dumrong-ongtrakul expected a tough tussle with Bangkok United but promised an all-out effort to grab three points.
Meanwhile, Muang Thong United, who face Nakhon Ratchasima tomorrow, have given the green light to Thailand midfielder Chanathip ‘Messi Jay’ Songkrasin to sign a permanent contract with J.League One side Consadole Sapporo.
The Kirins have agreed to a proposal from Consadole Sapporo to buy the Thai midfielder, starting the 2019 season. The new contract is likely to be signed in February next year.
The 24-year-old Chanathip has been on loan from Muang Thong to Consadole Sapporo on a one-and-a-half year contract.