FC Phuket 2 – Satun United 1

PHUKET: First-place FC Phuket won a key football match on Sunday, with a clutch 2-1 road win over second-place Satun United.

Satun United, coming off a 1-0 win over Hatyai FC, were in high spirits for the match against FC Phuket, who won the first encounter played at Surakul Stadium in March by a score of 2-0.

In second place with 31 points, Satun United hoped to cut FC Phuket’s six-point lead in half by taking all three points.

Satun went into the match with no injuries, but FC Phuket were without teenage winger Sarach Yooyen. However Phuket FC’s Ivory Coast trio of Diarra Ali, Nene Bi and Camara were all ready for the encounter.

The festive atmosphere started with the large green-shirted “The Hulk” supporters of FC Phuket Southern Sea Kirin presenting a birthday cake to Phuket substitute player Wilas Kerdmoh.

There was also an appearance by Satun Governor Sumeth Chailertwanichakul, who distributed free footballs paid for out of his own pocket to excited fans before the kickoff.

The match started with Satun United pressing the attack, but at five minutes FC Phuket’s Camara opened the scoring with a beautiful goal. He took a long throw-in from behind the center and ran up the left side before shaking off a defender, then placing a looping shot into the top right-hand corner of the goal from outside the penalty area.

To view all of the goals click here.

Satun United came back hard and had some excellent scoring opportunities, but these were foiled by some outstanding saves by FC Phuket keeper Jakkrit Thammasen.

FC Phuket took a 2-0 lead into the locker room with a nice goal by Ali, who threw off two defenders inside the penalty area before blasting a shot low on the ground past Satun United defender Sony.

Satun United’s desperate efforts to get back in the match were finally rewarded at 80 minutes on a gorgeous free kick into the top-right corner of the goal by their captain Pichet Sadeen.

Satun’s failure to get a second goal lead to some frustration by some fans, who hurled water bottles at injured Phuket player Pongsak as he lay on the turf. After the match the FC Phuket coaching staff were also targeted. Fortunately no injuries were reported.

FC Phuket keeper Jakkrit Thammasen was named man of the match.

Phuket FC’s next match is at home against Hatyai FC on Sunday. The start time is listed at 5pm, but the kickoff at most matches this year has been around 6pm.

Admission is 50 baht for adults, 20 baht for children.

In other AIS Regional League Division 2 South matches played Sunday:

— Stephen Michael Fein