Sink or swim Saturday for FC Phuket

PHUKET: Tomorrow evening’s clash at Surakul Stadium is a must-win for FC Phuket in their quest for promotion to Thai League Division One.

Kickoff for the AIS Regional League Division 2 match against Loei City will be at 6pm.

The Southern Sea Kirin need an immediate return to winning after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Bangkok FC last weekend.

FC Phuket currently sit in third spot in Group B with six points, two adrift of leaders Rayong FC, while tomorrow’s opponents Loei City lie second from the bottom with just one win.

A victory tomorrow could see Phuket propelled into one of the two coveted promotion places, while defeat would leave them to play catch-up in their five remaining games.

FC Phuket remain the only unbeaten side in Group B, but have drawn three and won just once.

That victory came two weeks ago against high-flying Chainat FC in front of a record crowd at Surakul Stadium.

Thawin Butrasombat scored the only goal of the game in the second half to hand Phuket the three points by the narrowest of margins.

Tomorrow will mark the first home outing since Ivorian midfielder Camara Ahmed suffered a heart attack during play.

Camara, who was revived en route from Surakul Stadium to Bangkok Hospital, earlier this week emerged from a coma.

He was moved on Wednesday from Bangkok Hospital Phuket to nearby Vachira Hospital Phuket.

A spokesperson for FC Phuket Supporters Club informed the Gazette today that Camara remains in intensive care, but is making steady progress.

“He is doing okay. He has opened his eyes and is now able to breath on his own. He seems to hear and understand when people are talking to him,” the spokesperson said.

FC Phuket are looking after Camara’s medical expenses, while the fan club has raised 84,000 baht. There will be donation buckets at the entrances to Surakul Stadium tomorrow night.

A bumper crowd in excess of 2,000 is expected to turn out in support of the star midfielder and the club’s promotion push.

— Andrew Jennings