Triple champions Buriram United won the Toyota Premier Cup after beating Japan's Vegalta Sendai on penalties at Supachalasai stadium yesterday.
Buriram chairman Newin Chidchob celebrates with his team.
Buriram won 4-2 in the shoot-out following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes in a match that annually pits together the two countries respective League Cup champions.
Vegalta dominated for long periods in the opening stages but could not send the ball past in-form Buriram goalkeeper Sivaluk Terdsungnern.
And even when a Shingo Akamine shot beat Sivaluk after 23 minutes, Ekwalla Herman cleared the ball off the line.
Buriram were patient and their counter-attack tactics finally paid off in the 37th minute when Cameroon's Frank Acheampong gave the Thunder Castle the lead.
However, in the second half, Sivaluk was forced to make several saves and the visitors deservedly got an equaliser in the 73rd minute when Yuki Muto was tripped in the area and Yoshiaki Ota scored from the spot.
Yet the home team were sharper in the penalty shoot-out and ended up winning the spot-kick battle comfortably.
Buriram received one million baht in prize money plus a Toyota Prius worth 1.27 million baht while Sendai got 500,000 baht.
Buriram coach Attapol Bussapakom said he was pleased with his team's performance but thinks they need to improve before they open their AFC Champions League campaign against Japan's Kashiwa Reysol on March 7.
Buriram chairman Newin Chidchob said: "We were seen as the underdogs but we played very well.
"This was a good test for us before taking on Kashiwa Reysol."
Last season, Buriram won the Thai Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup under the name Buriram PEA but they have since been renamed Buriram United.
Chonburi out of ACL
Thai Premier League runners-up Chonburi FC lost 2-0 at South Korea's Pohang Steelers in the AFC Champions League play-off yesterday.
Hwang Jin-Sung set the 2009 AFC Champions League winners on their way after 28 minutes before Park Sun-Ho's header in the 70th minute secured the win for the Koreans.
Pohang Steelers will now take their place in Group E of the AFC Champions League alongside 2008 champions Gamba Osaka (Japan), Bunyodkor (Uzbekistan) and Adelaide United (Australia).
Chonburi will now play in Group G of the AFC Cup with Citizen (Hong Kong), Home United (Singapore) and Yangon United (Myanmar).
Playing in freezing conditions, Chonburi had several early chances but they failed to break down Pohang's defence.
The first goal came in the 28th minute when Chonburi's Suttinun Phukhom conceded a free-kick and Hwang Jin-Sung gave the hosts the lead.
In the second half, the Sharks were the dominant side as the Steelers looked to counter-attack before Park Sun-Ho finished off the Thais in the 70th minute.
Cameroon’s Frank Acheampong celebrates. PHOTOS: PAWAT LAOPAISARNTAKSIN