FC Phuket hold Thai premier champs to a draw

PHUKET: The undisputed champions of Thai club football, Muang Thong United, were held to a 1-1 draw by FC Phuket last night at Surakul Stadium.

A buoyant home crowd watched Surachai Jirasirichote’s side produce an impressive display to deny the two time Thai Premier League champs the win.

The encounter was the second meeting between the teams this week, with both sides this time fielding several players who played no part in the first game on Tuesday, which Muang Thong won 3-2.

The visitors were in Phuket to prepare for their showdown with Chonburi FC in the Kor Royal Cup on Sunday.

In Thursday’s game, Phuket grabbed the opening goal after 48 minutes when Sarach Yooyen fired into the net. The strike was his second goal in successive games.

It wasn’t until 78 minutes that Anon Sangsranoy placed a clever header to set up Miroslav Toth for the equalizer.

Muang Thong coach Carlos Roberto de Carvalho said after the final whistle the match was a good opportunity for him to use all his substitutes and he wasn’t too worried about the result.

He also guaranteed victory over Chonburi FC on Sunday.

The Kor Royal Cup was the highest level of club football competition in Thailand from 1916 until1995, when the Football Association of Thailand was formed.

Since last year, the trophy has been contested in an annual showdown between the champions of the Thai Premier League and the champions of Thai FA Cup.

The match will be played at Supalachai Stadium in Bangkok starting at 4pm. It will be televised live on Thai TV Channel 7.

— Stephen Fein