Football
Paul Murphy 8y

Buriram mark Gama's last game in charge with impressive win in PLT

Buriram United bade a fond farewell to head coach Alexandre Gama as the Brazilian's departure from the Premier League of Thailand (PLT) champions was announced after the Thunder Castle earned an impressive 2-0 victory at Bangkok Glass.

Gama ends almost two years at the club with an impressive trophy haul but his side have had a difficult time in 2016, following on from a domestic treble last year.

First, there was a disastrous AFC Champions League campaign, in which they earned just one point and scored one goal in six group games. Then, there have been two PLT defeats - ending an 18-month unbeaten streak in domestic competition - including a first ever loss to deadly rivals Muang Thong United.

The victory at the Glass Rabbits leaves the champions in third spot in the PLT, eight points behind leaders Muang Thong, who were fortunate to beat Sukhothai 2-1 on Saturday.

Here are five things we saw on PLT Matchday 13:

1. Gama signs off in style

Champions Buriram United finally rediscovered their form as they travelled to Bangkok Glass and came away with a 2-0 victory.

Gama's side have been a shadow of their former selves this season and last weekend's 1-0 home defeat to Army United marked a new low in a disappointing spell. But the Thunder Castle took on one of the PLT's stronger sides in Bangkok Glass and eased to a win with goals from Go Seul-Ki and Anawin Jujeen.

The champions remain eight points behind Muang Thong, but they moved into third spot, leapfrogging the Glass Rabbits and Sukhothai.

Gama's departure was announced after the game and he used his Facebook page to send a message to the Buriram fans, saying, "I am grateful for the experience I could get to work with this wonderful team and all the personal and professional growth I got."

Buriram have indicated that a replacement will be appointed this week as they prepare to make changes when the transfer window opens next month

2. Diouf stays positive after Kirins get lucky

Sukhothai striker Bireme Diouf looked on the bright side after his side were cruelly denied a well-earned point at PLT leaders Muang Thong United.

When Muang Thong took a second-half lead through Cleiton Silva, the Fire Bats came back strongly. Diouf equalised from close range with just five minutes remaining after a superb pass from John Baggio and it was no more than the visitors deserved. Baggio then ran at the home defence and his powerful strike had Kawin Thamsatchanan scrambling in the Muang Thong goal before watching the ball go wide.

As the impressive away support got set to celebrate an unlikely point, the referee blew for a free kick near the left touchline, not far from the Sukhothai goal-line. It looked like a clean tackle and the visiting players complained bitterly. Their sense of injustice was then compounded when Sarach Yooyen whipped in a cross and Cleiton nodded in the winner.

Diouf refused to dwell on the decision and told ESPN FC, "We played well and were unlucky not to take something from the game. The referee awarded a free kick and we have to accept that. We probably deserved at least a point but it wasn't to be."

Diouf's blossoming partnership with Baggio has been a feature of the season and the Ivorian added, "It has been good to play with John. We get on well on and off the pitch and we feel that anything is possible this year."

3. Fighting Beetles back in the groove

Chiang Rai United quietly moved among the big boys this season as they started the year with a seven-game unbeaten run. Unfortunately, that was followed by three straight defeats and it seemed that another season of mid-table mediocrity may be on the cards. But head coach Teerasak Po-on has engineered an impressive recovery with three victories on the spin, lifting them back up to sixth spot.

On Saturday, the Fighting Beetles came back from a goal down at BEC Tero Sasana and strikes from Wellington Bruno and Piyaphon Phanichakul gave them a 2-1 win.

Teerasak is now looking to better Chiang Rai United's best ever top tier finish. He told ESPN FC, "I want to finish in the top five because the best position since I have been coach here is seventh. I want us to do better this year."

4. The Joy of Six

It is rare for any team to score six in one game and it is even rarer for two teams to reach this figure on the same night. But on Sunday evening, Ratchaburi and Bangkok United both went a little goal crazy.

The Dragons ended a run of five games without a win in emphatic style as they smashed six past in-form Pattaya United in a game that saw a farewell to their old stadium. Heberty Fernandes hit yet another hat trick as Ratchaburi rediscovered their early season form before the planned move to a purpose-built ground in time for the next home game against Buriram on June 12.

The heavy defeat was costly for Pattaya United head coach Miloš Joksić, who parted company with the club the following day, despite leading the newly-promoted Blue Dolphins to mid-table and nine points clear of the relegation zone.

Not to be outdone, second-placed Bangkok United also went on the attack as they beat Sisaket 6-1 at home. Dragan Boskovic and Jaycee John both hit doubles as the Bangkok Angels stayed just two points off the pace.

5. BBCU FC look doomed

With more than a third of the season gone, BBCU FC's relegation is beginning to look like a foregone conclusion. 'Big Bang Chula' are marooned at the bottom of the table on just four points, seven points from safety.

On Saturday, a lacklustre performance saw them lose 2-0 at Army United, with goals in each half from Japanese winger Kai Hirano and Thai international midfielder Thossawat Limwannasathian. The visitors rarely threatened the hosts, who followed up last week's victory at Buriram United with a comfortable win.

On this form, BBCU's fans will be steeling themselves for a quick return to Division One.

Next up it gets even more difficult with a game against PLT leaders Muang Thong United. BBCU FC will hope that Jatuporn Pramualban -- appointed as the new head coach on Monday -- can quickly engineer a turnaround in the team's fortunes.

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