Theeraton’s free-kick on the stroke of half-time was enough to secure a 1-0 win for Buriram at Chiangrai.The scoreline flattered the home side but Buriram had numerous chances to kill the game off.

Chiangrai were first to threaten when a right-wing free-kick was headed wide in the seventh minute. Two minutes later Diogo took far too long when well-placed in the box and the chance was gone.

Theeraton then had a great chance in the tenth minute when he found himself in space just outside the area but he leaned back as he shot and the ball sailed over the bar.

Macena should have made more of a great cross from Theeraton but failed to get a touch on the ball with the goal begging. Shortly after Diogo got the ball in the net but the goal was correctly ruled out for an earlier offside.

Macena had another good chance in the twenty-first minute after a great move down the left but his finish was disappointing. Four minutes later a long ball set Chiangrai away down the left but the resultant finish was straight at a grateful Siwarak.

Diogo then had a shooting chance but elected to pass and the ball was cleared. Buriram then lost Tunez through injury and his fitness will be of great concern with the Champions League coming up on Tuesday.

Chiangrai then had another golden opportunity when they got clear of the Buriram defence but shot wide of the far post. Three minutes before the interval Diogo tried a chip from just outside the box but the ball just cleared the crossbar.

Diogo was then brought down just outside the area and the defender was lucky to get a yellow card instead of red. However, there was no reprieve for him a minute later when he again brought Diogo down as the striker headed for goal and the red card was mandatory.

Theeraton was entrusted with the free-kick and he curled a superb shot round the wall and into the corner of the net. It was another world-class strike by the Buriram midfielder and the timing was perfect.

So Buriram went in a goal ahead and with a one-man advantage.They probably just about deserved their lead but Chiangrai had had the clearer chances.

Buriram made a bright start to the second-half and Seul Ki had a shot cleared off the line after good work down the left. Macena then made a great run into the left side of the box but his shot hit the side-netting.

A minute later Diogo headed a deep cross from the left back across goal but the ball was cleared. Then in the sixty-eighth minute a great move down the right saw Prakit have a clear sight of goal but he shot straight at the keeper.

Siwarak then did well to get down quickly to a dangerous through ball. The Chiangrai keeper was also having a good night and he made a good save after a flowing Buriram move down the left.

Buriram were now  well on top but a reluctance to shoot was far too evident and the worry of a Chiangrai breakaway was always present. Macena then set up Diogo but the Brazilian sent his header just wide.

Six minutes from time a quick break down the right saw Suchao try an audacious chip but the keeper turned it over the bar. Then Macena had a good chance following a cross from the right but shot straight at the keeper.

Buriram were almost made to pay for their missed chances when Chiangrai got clear again down the middle but Siwarak made a smart low save. The Chiangrai keeper then made another good stop and the follow-up was wide.

So another three points which Buriram undoubtedly deserved. However, the goal came from another set-piece and the lack of goals is a serious problem. Chiangrai created several good chances and Buriram were fortunate not to concede.

This was another game in which Buriram should have killed off the opposition and they really can’t keep relying on goals from set-pieces. They must be more clinical with their finishing, starting with Gamba Osaka on Tuesday April 7th 6pm at Thunder Castle.