Phuket FC in first loss of season
PHUKET: First-place Phuket FC lost its first match of the season yesterday with a tough 2-1 defeat on the road against Trang FC ‘Killer Sea Cows’.
Phuket FC were in fine form in the first half, with good scoring chances in the first 10 minutes including a header by Adisek that bounced back off the goalpost.
Phuket’s Southern Sea Kirin were finally rewarded in the 29th minute, when Sarach easily converted in front of the goal on a pass from Paramat to go up 1-0.
Play turned scrappy after that, with referee Pongsak Lad-kaew issuing three yellow cards by the end of the half.
With nothing to lose, the Killer Sea Cows stepped it up a notch at the start of the second half.
Phuket preserved the advantage thanks to a great save by keeper Jakkrit at 55 minutes, but Trang equalized two minutes later after a foul was called against Phuket 25 yards out and Trang’s Narongnit booted a beautiful curving shot past Jakkrit.
With the score dead even, both teams played all out – much to the delight of the thousands on hand at Trang Municipal Stadium.
The crowd included FC Phuket President Eam Thavornwongwongse and about 100 other die-hard FC Phuket supporters.
They were to return to the island disappointed, however.
The deciding goal came at 65 minutes, after the referee ruled that FC Phuket’s Suthi Sakwong’s foot came into contact with the head of Trang FC’s Chachai as both were competing for a ball in the penalty area.
As the wounded Sea Cow rolled on the turf, the Phuket FC players insisted that he took a dive, but the referee wasted no time in awarding a penalty kick.
Sure-footed Theerawut Sanphan converted on a shot that goalkeeper Jakkrit got a piece of, but which still found its way over the goal line.
Despite the loss, Phuket’s Southern Sea Kirin maintain a one point lead in Division 2 South of the Thai League with 18 points after eight games.
The win moved the Killer Sea Cows into second place, with 17 points and one game in hand.
Results of other Division 2 (South) matches played Saturday:
Surat Thani FC 2- 0 Phang Nga
Yala FC 0 – 0 Satun United
