BG Pathum United claimed their second consecutive Champions Cup crown in a five-goal thriller against treble winners Buriram to kickstart the new Thai League season.

The Rabbits took just six minutes to open the scoring, when the rebound from a 50-50 header fell kindly for the them, teeing up Pathompol Charoenrattanapirom to find the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Jonathan Bolingi levelled proceedings in the 35th minute, getting on the end of Supachai Jaided’s cross with a headed finish. However, Buriram found themselves behind again Ikhsan Fandi met a whipped cross by Cassio Schied with a stunning header from range, which sailed past a helpless Siwarak Tedsungnoen and bounded in off the underside of the bar.

Frank Castaneda thought he had restored parity shortly before the half-time break with his first competitive goal for the side, getting on the end of an excellent dinked ball by Suphanat Mueanta to slot in from point-blank range. Unfortunately for the Colombian, the linesmans’ flag ruled out his would-be debut goal and saw the Rabbits go into the break two to the good.

With Makoto Teguramori’s men well-drilled in the transition game, Buriram found no way through their resolute structure after the restart. They soon found themselves a man down when Goran Causic received his marching orders for a reckless tackle, and a further goal down when Worachit Kanitsribampen danced past a pair of Buriram defenders and slotted into the net.

By then, the game was effectively beyond the treble champions, meaning Jonathan Bolingi’s 84th-minute penalty was little more than a consolation goal.

This result means that BG Pathum United have beaten Buriram in each of their past six meetings in all competitions – a run of form and buildup of confidence that will serve them well in what many are predicting to be a two-horse race for the Thai League title this season.