Thai Football: Phuket FC sink Thai Navy in added time

PHUKET: Surakul Stadium erupted in celebration after Phuket FC’s “super sub” Chana Sonwiset scored in added time to secure his side three points in a league match against the Royal Navy football club in Phuket Town last night.

The match was evenly poised at 0-0 going into the final minutes of added time, until Chana – whose name literally means “win” – scored the only goal of the game.

With more than 5,400 spectators, the turnout for the match – the third at home and fifth of 34 overall – was Phuket FC’s largest so far in the Yamaha League One (YL1) 2013 season.

Parking near the stadium was limited due to large crowds celebrating the traditional Cheng Meng ancestor veneration rites at the Chinese cemetery on the north side of the stadium.

The Southern Sea Warrior’s latest victory brings their YL1 tally to 11 points after five games, ensuring that Phuket retained their second place standing in the 18-team league.

Meanwhile Navy, still with only 4 points in their first five, linger in 13th place.

Other YL1 results this weekend are as follows:

• Khon Kaen 2 – 0 Si Racha Suzuki
• Trat 1 – 2 PTT Rayong
• Bangkok 0 – 0 Airforce Utd
• Krabi 0 – 0 Gulf Saraburi
• TTM FC 0 – 1 Nakhon Pathom Utd
• Port Lions 1 – 2 BBCU
• Korat 1 – 0 Ayutthaya FC
• Rayong FC 1 – 3 Rayong Utd

Phuket will now break for Songkran, with their next fixture scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, against Nakhon Pathom United. That match will be played at the Nakhon Pathom Municipality Sports School stadium with a 4pm kick-off.

The Southern Sea Warrior’s next home match will be on Sunday, April 21 vs Khon Kaen, with a 6:30pm kickoff.

— Steven Layne