Buriram, Bangkok Glass stutter in TPL openers
Buriram United got the 2013 Thai Premier League season off to a stuttering start on Sunday as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Suphanburi.
By FOX Sports staff
Having recorded an impressive 1-1 draw away to J.League outfit Vegalta Sendai on Tuesday in the opening game of their AFC Champions League Group E campaign, the Thunder Castle were expected to comfortably see off their newly-promoted opponents at the New I-Mobile Stadium.
But following a goal-less first half, Suphanburi found themselves ahead in the 57th minute when Suchon Songwondee's long-range effort took a deflection off team-mate Dragan Boskovic and was fumbled over the line by Buriram goalkeeper Sivaruck Tedsungnoen.
Nonetheless, six minutes after the hour mark, Charyl Chappuis curled home a corner to earn the hosts a share of the spoils and help them avoid an embarassing opening-day defeat.
Bangkok Glass had no such luck however as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to the newly-named Songkhla United, who were previously known as Wuachon United.
Manop Sornkaew grabbed the only goal of the game in the ten minutes after the break to hand the Bulls all three points at the Tinasulanon Stadium.
Two second-half strikes helped TOT start the campaign in fine style with a 3-1 win at Chiangrai United.
Zarko Jelicic had handed the visitors the lead in the 27th minute, but Chiangrai pulled level eight minutes before the break thanks to an Antonio Claudio penalty, awarded after Kyle Nix had been brought down inside the area.
Still, TOT refused to be deterred and edged ahead again in the 58th minute through a Bas Savage strike, before Pradit Deeprom sealed the win when he added a third 11 minutes later.
Finally, Sisaket and Chainat played out a 0-0 draw at the Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium.
Sunday's Thai Premier League Results
Buriram United 1-1 Suphanburi
Sisaket 0-0 Chainat
Songkhla United 1-0 Bangkok Glass
Chiangrai United 1-3 TOT
Image courtesy of Buriram United Football Club