FC Phuket pick up valuable point in league opener

PHUKET: FC Phuket secured a solid 1-1 draw away from home against Suphanburi FC in their opening fixture in Thai League Division 1 football on Sunday.

Following the game, Phuket manager Surachai Jirasirichote said he was “satisfied” with the point picked up on the road but somewhat “disappointed” in the manner in which his side conceded the equalizer after going ahead early on.

The opening goal of the game came 10 minutes in when Phuket’s new Ivorian striker Kone Adama opened his competitive scoring account for the club with a neat finish. The goal follows on from the two Kone scored in a 5-1 friendly victory over Pathum Thani FC last week.

The visitors had a chance to double their lead two minutes later but Korean Choi Wan Geon saw his shot well saved by the Suphanburi goalkeeper.

Phuket spurned a couple of half chances before the home side fired an equalizer at 41 minutes following poor Phuket defense. The teams went in at half-time all square at one goal apiece.

Choi Wan Geon almost put Phuket back in front five minutes after the interval but a Suphanburi defender closed him down and cleared the ball to safety.

Brazilian striker Paulo Reneto also went close during the second period but again found the Suphanburi netminder in the way.

Phuket will hope to register a first win on Saturday, February 26, when they take on Rajpracha FC in Phuket in their first home league encounter of the 2011 campaign. Kickoff is scheduled for 6pm at Sirikul Stadium.

— Andrew Jennings