Two headed goals by Venezuelan defender Andres Tunez, in the second minute, and Brazilian striker Edgar Bruno, in the second half, finished off the J-League club who previously led Group G.
Buriram captain Jakkraphan Kaewprom was sent off with 15 minutes remaining but the Thunder Castle managed to fend off Cerezo’s late charge.
The win revived Buriram’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage of the continental club championship.
In yesterday’s other Group G match, China’s Guangzhou Evergrande beat South Korea’s Jeju United 5-3.
Fabio Cannavaro’s Guangzhou now lead the group with five points after three games, and are followed by Buriram (four), Cerezo (four) and Jeju (three).
At Chang Arena, Thai League 1 champions Buriram, who were without their top striker Diogo Luis Santo, got off to a fast start when a corner by Korrakot Wiriyaudomsiri found Tunez who headed the ball into the back of the net in the second minute.
The Japanese piled the pressure on the Thai League 1 leaders and got a couple of chances but were denied by Buriram goalkeeper Siwarak Tedsungnern.
Edgar had a couple of opportunities but failed to score in the first half.
The Japanese returned strongly in the second half but could not beat in-form Siwarak.
But it was the home team who scored again in the 53rd minute when Jakkraphan’s cross found Edgar whose header beat Cerezo goalkeeper Kenta Tanno.
Jakkraphan was sent off for a foul in the 75th minute. Osaka threw everything at the Thunder Castle but could not break the home side’s steely defence.
Buriram will next play Cerezo in Osaka on March 14.
The top two teams of each group reach the knockout stage.
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