Promoted Police Tero defied all odds to deliver the first major upset of the new Thai League 1 season, edging six-time former champions Buriram United 1-0 at Boonyachinda Stadium on Sunday night.
Buriram's Narubadin Weerawatnodom, left, vies with Police Tero's Narong Chansawek.
Narong Chansawek gave the home team the winner in the 11th minute and Police Tero defenders did a splendid job to weather waves of attacks launched by the Thunder Castle.
Buriram revamped their strike force in the pre-season by signing Bernardo Cuesta of Argentina and Brazilian Ricardo Bueno, but they were once again let down by their inability to score last night.
Ratchaburi took some time to get going in their opening game of the season last night, but were eventually able to defeat Trat 2-0 with ease.
Yannick Boli delighted the home fans in the last minute before the break and captain Philip Roller then converted a second-half penalty to seal three points for Ratchaburi.
In an eastern derby last night, hosts Chonburi came out on top thanks to second-half goals by Brazilian striker Caion and Dragan Boskovic which proved enough to get the better of Rayong, one of the three teams to earn promotion this year.
In stark contrast to Buriram, defending champions Chiang Rai United and former title-winners SCG Muang Thong United, Port wasted no time in making their intentions clear as they routed visiting Nakhon Ratchasima 4-1 on Saturday night.
The 2020 season got underway on Friday night when Chiang Rai United were held to a 1-1 away draw by a spirited Samut Prakan City team.
Muang Thong, like Buriram, started the season with a loss, wasting a one-goal lead to see another promoted side BG Pathum United steal a 2-1 victory over them on Saturday night.
Heberty Fernandes and Adisak Kraisorn made quick impacts after joining Khlong Toey-based Port from Muang Thong United, getting on the scoresheet in Port's emphatic victory over Nakhon Ratchasima.
Sergio Suarez opened the scoring for Port in the fifth minute and Heberty picked up his first goal of the night at half-hour mark to ensure the hosts go into the break with a hefty 2-0 lead.
Heberty effectively put the match out of the Swat Cats' reach with his second on 58 minutes.
Amadou Ouattara pulled one back for the visitors but Adisak restored Port's three-goal advantage shortly before the final whistle.