Despite a lacklustre start to the season, including an AFC Champions League rout at the hands of Urawa Red Diamonds, Thai League 1 champions Buriram United have no plans to sack their coach Bozidar Bandovic.
After failing to claim a win in their first two Thai league matches, the Thunder Castle went face to face with Japanese Emperor Cup champions Urawa on Wednesday and suffered an embarrassing 3-0 defeat in Saitama.
An unnamed Buriram United official was quoted as saying by the Thai media yesterday that the team were not looking for a replacement for Bandovic.
"Our performance hasn't been good so far but we haven't reached the crisis point," the official said.
"Right now, we don't have any plans to sack coach Bozidar Bandovic as any such move will only affect the team morale further.
"We have been in situations like these before and were able to turn the things around and win the title."
Buriram United chairman Newin Chidchob told his players after the match that they needed to perform better in the remaining AFC Champions League Group G games.
"No one wants a match to end like this," he said after the loss to Urawa.
"We conceded one goal and lost confidence. We can lose a match but we should never give up the fight.
"We have five matches left and we'll have to do better than this."
Buriram United's next match will be a Thai League 1 fixture at home where they will face in-form PT Prachuap on Sunday.
Port meet Sharks today
Jadet Meelarp takes his injury-hit Port side to Chonburi for a Thai League 1 battle tonight, hoping for a draw.
Port will be without key midfielder Nurul Sriyankem, who is out for a month with a hamstring injury, and their first-choice goalkeeper Rattanai Songsangchan, who is also injured.
Jadet said: "It will be a tough match for our team. They are a good team and are always tough to beat at their home ground. We hope to pick up at least a point from this game."
The Sharks will be hoping for a turnaround after their 2-0 loss to Samut Prakan City last weekend.
Chonburi, so far, only have one point from a draw with Buriram United in their opening game.
Port have been in better form. They managed a goalless draw at Chiang Rai United and followed it up with a 1-0 home victory over Ratchaburi last weekend.
