Buriram United on Monday confirmed coach Scott Cooper will leave the club to deal with a 'personal problem' but it did not stop them building a three-point lead at the top of the Thai Premier League.
Buriram United’s Carmelo Gonzalez, right, takes on Osotspa’s defence.
Cooper, who replaced Attaphol Buspakom, thanked Buriram United for the opportunity.
"I am very happy to have worked with the team and I wish the club success in their goals, especially in the AFC Champions League," the Englishman said.
Buriram manager Tatthep Pitakpoosin insisted the team would not suffer as a result of Cooper's departure.
"The goal of the team is still the same and that will be [winning] the Thailand Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and to make the semi-finals in the AFC Champions League," Tatthep said.
With Guillermo Ortol taking over as acting coach, Buriram yesterday defeated Osotspa 2-1 in Saraburi. Spanish midfielder Carmelo Gonzalez put Buriram in front with a header in the ninth minute but Osotspa equalised early in the second half through Apipoo Suntornpanavej.
It didn't last long, though, as Buriram regained the lead when Osmar Ibanez converted a spot-kick after Jetsada Puanakunmee fouled Carmelo Gonzalez in the penalty area.
Elsewhere, Bangkok United won 2-1 against TOT SC, who went ahead through Prakit Deeprom in the 16th minute but fell behind to goals from Paul Ekollo and Romain Gasmi.
Pattaya United edged Suphanburi 1-0 thanks to a penalty in the last minute, converted by Pairote Sokam, while Bangkok Glass also needed a late winner from Teerathep Winothai to beat Ratchaburi 1-0.
Meanwhile, Thai futsal (five-a-side) team Chonburi Bluewave won the AFC Futsal Club Championship after defeating Iranian champions Giti Pasand in a penalty shoot-out.
The Iranians scored through Hossein Tayebi in the fifth minute before Supawut Thueangklang equalised in the 39th minute. In the shoot-out, Chonburi Bluewave prevailed 5-2.
STANDINGS
! P ! W ! D ! L ! GF ! GA ! Pts!
Buriram ! 24 ! 17 ! 7! 0! 55! 17! 58!
Muang Thong ! 24 ! 17 ! 4 ! 3 ! 46 ! 24 ! 55!
Chonburi ! 25 ! 14 ! 7 ! 4 ! 42 ! 27 ! 49!
Suphanburi !25 !11 !9 ! 5 ! 30 !18 !42!
Army! 24! 11! 5 !8 !40! 30! 38!
BEC ! 24 ! 10 ! 8! 6! 40 ! 33 ! 38!
Bkk Glass! 25 ! 10 ! 7 ! 8 ! 26 ! 25 ! 37!
Osotspa ! 24 !8 !9 ! 7 ! 30 !30 !33!
Insee Police ! 24! 7! 9 !8 !27! 25! 30!
Chainat ! 24 ! 7 ! 7! 10! 29 ! 30 ! 28!
Songkhla ! 24 !6 ! 9 ! 9 ! 22 !31 !27!
Bkk Utd ! 25! 7! 5 ! 13 !33! 49! 26!
TOT ! 25 ! 6 ! 6! 13! 21 ! 42 ! 24!
Ratchaburi ! 25 ! 5 ! 8! 12! 24 ! 30 ! 23!
S Songkhram ! 23 !4 ! 7 ! 12 ! 15! 30 !19!
Pattaya !25! 6 ! 1 ! 18 ! 29 ! 52! 19!
Chiang Rai ! 23 ! 2! 10 !11! 18 ! 32 ! 16!
Si Sa Ket ! 0 ! 0 ! 0 !0 ! 0 !0 ! 0!
Note: Si Sa Ket will remain in the TPL next season. Only the 17th placed team will be relegated to League One