Phuket Islanders look to charge the Bangkok Bulls

PHUKET: Yamaha League One’s fifth placed team, Phuket FC got a boost of confidence on Wednesday, downing bay-neighbors from the second division, Phang Nga FC 3-1 in a friendly match at Thanyapura.

Opening the scoring for the Southern friendly was the Islander’s Georgian striker, Giorgi who net the ball on 12 minutes. This was followed by a goal from Thai defender, Wuttipong on 30 minutes.

Phang Nga’s Nyetam Bilong brought his side into contention with a goal on 45 minutes, but Phuket’s new Cameroonian signing, Ludovick Takam sealed the result, finding the back of the net in the 61st minute.

High on their victory, Phuket are now in the ‘Big Mango’ for a tough challenge against the Bangkok FC “Iron Bulls”.

The match is scheduled for a 4:30pm kickoff at Chalerm Prakiet Stadium in the Bang Mod district of Bangkok, off the Chao Phraya’s western bank in Thonburi, which willl be broadcast live on True Visions 116.

In third place and thus sitting on the final ticket for promotion to the Thai Premier League (TPL) the Bulls are also elated from their recent penalty shootout FA Cup victory against TPL side Army United.

Though in dire need of a victory, Phuket’s defenders will have to be cautious and watch out for Yorkshire golden boy, Lee Tuck who leads the league’s golden boot competition with 13 goals. Tuck was also last year’s YL1 golden boot winner.

Bangkok’s deadly arsenal also comprises African-Swede forward, Carl Watson (9 goals), as well as Japanese midfielder Yuki Bamba (7) and Phuket’s former top Thai striker Thawin Butsombat, who has scored five goals for Bangkok in this year’s campaign.

Phuket’s top scorers include Luiz Purcino (6) and Giorgi Tsimakuridze (4), Geoffrey Doumeng (3), Nenebi Tra Sylvester and Chana Sonwiset (both two goals); new signing Ludovick Takam also scored a goal in his first and only appearance, against BBCU a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile, the transfer paperwork for Cruzeiro [a top level Brazilian club] youth star, Cristian Alex has not been finalized and Phuket will likely have to play one more crucial match without his play-making genius.

All YL1 fixtures this weekend:

• 5pm 3rd placed Bangkok (32) vs 5th Phuket (27) @ Chalerm Prakiet Bang Mod
• 4pm 16th TTM vs 7th Korat @ Bunyajinda
• 6pm 2 PTT Rayong (38) vs 8 N Pathom (8) @PTT Stadium
• 6m 4 Port Lions (31pts) vs 6 Trat (27) @ PAT Stadium
• 6pm Rayong Utd vs Navy @ Rayong Stadium

Sunday 6pm

• 13 Krabi vs 1 Air Force @ Krabi Stadium
• 12 Khon Kaen vs 10 Gulf Saraburi @OrBorJor Khon Kaen
• 17 Rayong FC vs 11 Ayudhaya

6.30pm

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— Steven Layne