Phuket prepares for important ‘footy’ matches

PHUKET: Both of the island’s national-level sports teams have important matches lined up, today and tomorrow.

In 11-a-side football, the Phuket FC “Islanders” are ready to host Khon Kaen FC “T-Rex” at Surakul Stadium in Phuket Town with a 6:30pm kickoff this evening.

Both sides will be fighting hard for all three points to help them steer clear of relegation, with only four match remaining, including tonight’s fixture.

Ranked 13th in the 18 team Yamaha 1 league, Khon Kaen with 33 points are only slightly ahead of 15th placed Phuket (31 points).

Tensions are expected to be high in this “sink or swim match”, and local fan support is encouraged.

When the Thai football season concludes later this month, the bottom five teams will be relegated to the second division, with the top three sides gaining promotion to the Thai Premiership.

Meanwhile, the GMM Sport Thailand Futsal Premier League 2012-2013 season kicked off today with its first four matches staged at Fashion Island’s futsal arena in Bangkok.

Competing in their inaugural season of the country’s elite league, the Island’s 5-a-side professional side, Phuket United will commence their season tomorrow at 2pm with a match against the Highways Department Futsal Club.

The first two days of competition represent the league’s unofficial start, with competition to take a long break ahead of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012, to be staged in Thailand for the first time, from November 1-18.

Thailand Futsal League matches today:
Lampang United 1 – 3 Bangkok FC
Royal Navy vs Si Pathum-Si Saket (result to be updated shortly)
Chonburi TOS RBAC vs Thai Port (result to be updated shortly)
Samut Sakhon vs Surat Thani (result to be updated shortly)

Matches scheduled tomorrow
10am Nonthaburi vs Samut Songkhram
12pm Leo Bang Seu vs Prachin FC
2:05pm Phuket United vs Highways Department FC
4pm CAT FC vs Samut Prakarn FC

Check the Phuket Gazette website for all the latest results and updates.

— Steven Layne