Buriram vs Kashima: Goalless Draw in ACL Elite

Buriram vs Kashima ended in a 0-0 draw at Chang Arena on Wednesday night, November 4, as Buriram United held Japan's Kashima Antlers in the AFC Champions League Elite. The point keeps the Thai champions in the competition but leaves them without a win after four league-stage games.

How the Buriram vs Kashima match played out

The match kicked off at 19:15 Thailand time in Buriram, in warm and humid conditions, with Kashima's report listing 28°C and 82% humidity. Kashima had more of the ball and more of the chances, but Buriram's defence, with Neil Etheridge in goal, held firm.

According to Kashima's official match report, the Japanese side had 14 shots to Buriram's six and won 11 corners to two. Data from FotMob showed Kashima with about 56% of possession. Thai media, including Siam Sport, said Buriram were well organised but lacked sharpness in the final third.

• Result: Buriram United 0-0 Kashima Antlers.
• Venue: Chang Arena, Buriram.
• Shots: Buriram 6, Kashima 14 (Kashima club figures).
• Corners: Buriram 2, Kashima 11.

Changes from both coaches

Buriram made two changes at half-time, bringing on Wanderson and Paulinho in search of more attacking threat. Sebas Moyano came on for striker Alexandru Tudorie in the 79th minute. Buriram's starting side also included Sasalak Haiprakhon, Ken Dougall, Mancha, Reza Asadi, Kingsley Schindler, Toni Moya, Goran Causic, Darlan Pereira Mendes and Guilherme Bissoli.

Kashima, with Tomoki Hayakawa in goal, also used their bench. Yuta Matsumura came on at half-time, and Elber, Leo Ceara, Matheus Bueno and Ryoya Ogawa followed in the second half as the visitors pushed for a winner, but they could not find a way past the Thai side.

Where Buriram stand in the ACL Elite

The draw leaves Buriram on three points from four games in the East region, with three draws and one defeat. Thai reports placed them 12th in the table. Kashima moved to 10 points and stay second.

A first win is now urgent if Buriram want to stay in the race for the knockout rounds, with four league-stage games left. Their next ACL Elite match is away to Shanghai Port on November 24.

For Kashima, the point keeps them near the top of the East table, but they will see it as two points dropped after dominating the game.

A solid point for Thai football

Kashima are one of Japan's most decorated clubs, so a clean sheet against them is still a useful result for Buriram and for Thai football. Coach and players will take confidence from the defensive display, but the lack of shots on target remains a concern. Fans in Phuket and across the country will hope it is a platform for a first win in Shanghai. Read Kashima's official match report.

What comes next for Buriram

The Thai champions now turn to the second half of their league stage, where every point will count. Buriram United have drawn three of their four games, so the squad has shown it can stay competitive against strong opposition, but the team still needs goals. The trip to Shanghai Port on November 24 is the next test. A victory there would lift Buriram up the East table and keep their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds alive, while another draw would leave them with a lot of work to do in the final four matches of the league stage.

More football: Ratchaburi vs Vissel Kobe, Port FC beat Beijing and Thailand's King's Cup squad.

Photo: Buriram United line up before the 2023 Thai League Cup final, by Gunkiet / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. File photo; not from the Buriram vs Kashima match.