Buriram United take over the leadership of the Thai Premier League 2017 this week when their 2-0 win over Thai Navy capitalized on the draw suffered by close rivals Muangthong United at the hands of Sukhothai.
Buriram, who has been on the chase all season long, finally clipped over their fierce foes with a goal in each half through Jaja in the 26th minute and then Bodin Phala seven minutes to the end.
The win moved Buriram to the top of the TPL standings with 40 points from 18 matches played.
On the other hand, Muangthong suffered only their second draw of the season when they were held to a 2-2 deadlock by Sukhothai – with two late goals by the home team.
The visiting Muangthong side had earlier taken the lead through Heberty in the 34th minute before Adisak Kraisorn then added the second goal at the 70 minute mark.
But Sukhothai fought back with the first goal through defender Hiromichi Katano in the 74th minute before he then grabbed the all important equalizer off an 86th minute penalty.
The one point pushed Muangthong down to second – two points adrift of the new leaders.
Elsewhere, Chaingrai United beat Sisaket 2-1, Bangkok United edged Thai Honda 5-4 and BEC Tero Sasana overcoming Nakhon Ratchasima 3-1.
Bangkok Glass blasted Super Power FC 8-0 while Chonburi struggled past Pattaya United 1-0 and Suphanburi beat Port MTC FC 2-0 as Rathaburi winning 1-0 at home to Ubon.
THAI PREMIER LEAGUE 2017 Current Standings
No | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
1 | Buriram United | 18 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 42 | 16 | +26 | 40 |
2 | SCG Muangthong United | 18 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 43 | 17 | +26 | 38 |
3 | Bangkok Glass | 18 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 40 | 23 | +17 | 36 |
4 | Chiangrai United | 18 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 39 | 22 | +17 | 36 |
5 | Chonburi | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 27 | 23 | +4 | 34 |
6 | Bangkok United | 18 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 50 | 32 | +18 | 32 |
7 | Ratchaburi Mitr Phol | 18 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 32 | 25 | +7 | 29 |
8 | Port | 18 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 28 | 34 | -6 | 28 |
9 | Ubon UMT United | 18 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 27 | 23 | +4 | 27 |
10 | Police Tero | 18 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 24 | 21 | +3 | 26 |
11 | Suphanburi | 18 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 28 | 29 | -1 | 25 |
12 | Nakhon Ratchasima | 18 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 17 | 23 | -6 | 20 |
13 | Navy | 18 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 19 | 28 | -9 | 19 |
14 | Pattaya United | 18 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 21 | 34 | -13 | 19 |
15 | Sukhothai | 18 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 27 | 34 | -7 | 16 |
16 | Thai Honda Ladkrabang | 18 | 5 | 0 | 13 | 23 | 35 | -12 | 15 |
17 | Sisaket | 18 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 25 | 46 | -21 | 15 |
18 | Super Power Samut Prakan | 18 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 13 | 60 | -47 | 1 |