Dateline 17^th September 2016

 NRFC 2 Buriram United 0

The “Big Dawgs” of Isaan clashed tonight seeking the temporary bragging rights of the region.

In front of a feisty crowd of 22 000 fans (nice to see the stadium almost full to capacity), the Swatcats went immediately on the attack with Bjorn Lindemann hitting the woodwork with a thumping header from a well flighted corner in the first minute. Tunez then went close with a close range flick as the match immediately burst into life.

In the 6^th minute a quick counter attack ended when Lindemann drew a fine save from the visitor’s keeper – can this tempo last for the remaining 84 minutes!!

The game settled into a midfield battle with both sides jostling for dominance with Buriram looking more polished but being more than matched for endeavour by the home team. Diogo in particular looked real class.

On 21 minutes a free kick on the flank from Lindemann again brought the opposition keeper into action – Bjorn really is on fire at the moment!!! Minutes later Chanatphon went close with a 20 yard free kick.

After a quickly taken free kick, a cross was launched into the box and found Tagbajumi who bravely headed into the net to give the Swatcats a 30^th minute lead.

Buriram then began to exert pressure with a couple of half chances created and in the 44^th minute, in a somewhat harsh decision, a penalty was awarded for a challenge inside the box. The penalty taker spurned the chance to level the game, sending the kick narrowly wide.

As the half drew to a close, on chances alone, the home team was in charge but with Buriram’s pedigree and experience, they were still in the game.

The second half began with the home team probing and Buriram looking largely flat going forward. In the 59^th minute the visitors went close with a close range shot going wide. They continued to press and Diogo was unlucky when his shot was deflected wide in the 66^th minute. The home team countered and a Lindemann break led to a dangerous cross which was almost converted into a second goal as Chakrit flicked it over the bar.

In a further break by Tagbajumi in the 78^th minute, continued with a superb ball into the box from Lindemann, May T failed to convert what would have been a killer goal. The home team continued to flow forward confidently putting the Buriram rearguard under pressure but Buriram broke and hit the right upright with a diving header in the 82^nd minute – a close shave for the men in orange!

In a frenetic and emotional finale to the match, Buriram again hit the post but the home team immediately countered and Lindemann provided the “icing on the cake” with a superb solo effort to put the Swatcats two up.

A great contest and a most satisfying result for the men from Korat. The team is continuing to put in decent performances. I have said it before but it bears repeating, the team is playing better under Joksic than they were at any point last season – and we finished 8^th.

In terms of TPL dynamics, Buriram are certainly not the force they were and NRFC seem to be in the ascendancy. Tonight the Swatcats proved again that they can compete at the highest level… I think next season they may raise a few people’s eyebrows!!