Ex-champs Kirins kick off second leg with a bang

Former champions Muang Thong United fired home four goals in the second half to start off the final leg of Thai League 1 with a 5-1 away victory over Lampang Saturday night.

The action in the top flight resumed on Saturday evening after a lengthy break for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the regional championship staged under the auspices of the Asean Football Federation.

Eric Omondi impressed for the Kirins as he picked up a brace, finding the net on either side of the break.

Willian Popp, who has just rejoined Muang Thong, grabbed the second for the Kirins by converting a penalty early in the second half after Chawin Thirawatsri had cancelled out Omondi's 23rd-minute first strike.

Willian added another to Muang Thong's tally on 77 minutes before Suporn Peenagatapho completed the rout six minutes before time.

Both sides had one player red-carded each in the injury time.

Defending champions Buriram United kick off the second half of the season with a trip to Sukhothai tonight.

Buriram coach Masatada Ishii is worried that the players returning from national duty in the Asean championship, which the Thais won by beating Vietnam in Monday's final, have not had enough time to gel with the club's new signings.

"Some players will be a bit rusty because of the long break, but our target is to keep our unbeaten run intact throughout this season," added Ishii.

"The new players we have signed during the break are all good, so we are expecting better results not only in the league but also in the cup competitions."

BG Pathum United start the second leg with a visit to Port this afternoon and the Rabbits' coach Matt Smith expects "a good game and an incredible atmosphere at PAT Stadium."