FC Phuket play Chiang Mai tomorrow

PHUKET: Former league leaders FC Phuket will take on Chiang Mai at Surakul Stadium tomorrow night, hoping to find the winning touch again after two tough road losses that have seen them slide from first to sixth in the 18-team Thai League Division 1.

They are coming off consecutive losses at Bangkok United and PTT Rayong.

FC Phuket went into the PTT Rayong match last Sunday with high hopes of winning their first road match of the year, but just like the week before, a long-range strike found its way past Phuket’s goalkeeper Theerawat Pinpradup.

In that match, Phuket went on the offensive early, with an excellent shot by Thawin Bootsombut deflecting off the right post at two minutes.

In the 10 minutes that followed, PTT Rayong goalkeeper Suphawat Sinothai made two impressive saves from headers by Nene Bi Tra Sylvestre.

FC Phuket continued to press, but failed to convert on several occasions.

PTT Rayong’s first good scoring opportunity came at 16 minutes, when a low drive by Salahoodin Aweh sailed just wide of the left post.

Despite more chances by both sides after that, the first half ended 0-0.

Just minutes into the second half, PTT Rayong’s Diego Martin fired from 25 yards out, but what should have been a routine catch save deflected off goalkeeper Theerawat’s hands and into the back of the net.

The goal was highly reminiscent of the 30-yard, game-winning goal in last weekend’s heartbreaking 2-1 loss at Bangkok United.

FC Phuket continued to press for an equalizer, but the loss of speedy playmaker Sarach Yooyen on a penalty suspension was apparent as the game ended 1-0, giving PTT their first home win of the year.

To see a short clip of the game highlights click here (scroll down the page past the text and click the play button in the first video window).

Kickoff for tomorrow night’s match at Surakul Stadium is at 6pm. Entry is 50 baht for adults, 20 baht for children.

Food and beverages, including beer, can be brought into the stadium in tin containers only.

Other Division 1 results last weekend:

Chiang Mai 1 – 1 Suphan Buri

Bangkok Utd 1 – 1 JW Rangsit

Chainat 1 – 2 Bangkok FC

Thai Honda 3 – 1 Air Force United

Saraburi 1 – 1 CCFC

Samut Prakan 1- 3 Buri Ram

Songkhla 1 – 1 BBCU

RBAC 0 – 1 Rajapracha

This weekend’s fixtures:

Saturday

Rajapracha v CCFU

Air Force United v Samut Prakan

Chainat v Thai Honda

Suphan Buri v Bangkok FC

Sunday

Buri Ram v Saraburi

FC Phuket v Chiang Mai

BBCU vs PTT Rayong

JW Rangsit v Songkhla

RBAC v Bangkok Utd

— Stephen Michael Fein