Phuket United sink Royal Navy

PHUKET: Phuket United unveiled new Brazilian winger Marcos Vinicius De Mendonco before their GMM Thai Futsal Premier League (TFPL) home game against Royal Navy on January 5.

Phuket United won their last home game 7-3 against Lampang United to move up to 7th in the league.

The newly installed floor covering at Saphan Hin was looking a bit worse for wear but this didn’t affect the Andaman Pearl, who won 4-2 against a strong Royal Navy team consisting of two Thai international futsal players – goalkeeper Surapong Tompa and striker Jetsada Chudet.

Phuket United started the stronger of the two teams and took the lead in the 5th minute through Jardel.

This early setback forced Royal Navy to attack but a resolute Phuket United defense kept the league’s 4th placed team at bay. A Phuket counter attack in the 14th minute culminated in Jackson Santos heading the ball past two defenders, before calmly slotting it into the bottom corner from just outside the box to put Phuket 2-0 up.

Royal Navy continued to attack at will and it was only a matter of time before they scored. Veerapong Chaiwong calmly chipped the ball over the advancing keeper to bring the score to 2-1 in the 18th minute. Thai international player Jetsada Chudet scored in the 20th minute to bring the game level going into half time.

The second half was end-to-end with both teams looking for a third goal. New signing, Marcos, endeared himself to the Phuket United fans by taking the ball past a Royal Navy defender with ease and then scoring with a powerful shot from outside the area, sending the partisan crowd into a frenzy. Benjarong Panphob scored Phuket’s 4th goal from inside his own half into an empty net in the 37th minute, as Royal Navy sacrificed their keeper looking for a way back into the game.

Marcos told the Phuket Gazette after the game that he is happy with his move to Phuket: “I liked our supporters in this match because they cheered with passion. We played well against Royal Navy and I like the Thai Futsal Premier League. My aim is to help Phuket United win the Thai Futsal Premier League,” he said.

Phuket United moved up to 5th in the league after this victory and their next game is against CATFC at Fashion Island, Bangkok on January 9 at 10am.

— Andrew Scott & Wisuwat Romin