Pattaya United 0, Ubon UMT 1
Pattaya United welcomed fellow Premier League strugglers Ubon UMT to the Dolphins’ stadium last Sunday, May 14, with United looking to continue their recent upturn in form.
The game kicked off with Pattaya having an abundance of possession yet creating few chances against a strong and well organized side. Ubon had come to the party with the intention of giving little space for the home side to play in and the visitors’ game-plan was working a treat.
Momentum swung Ubon’s way in the 38th minute when a smart finish from Chalermsak Aukkee saw the away side take the lead. The impressively large contingent of Ubon fans were nearly given cause for more celebration in the 40th minute but were denied by a fine save from Pattaya keeper Somporn Yos.
The second half continued in the same pattern as the first, with Pattaya having much territorial advantage without ever really looking like scoring. United won over a dozen corners but never looked like converting as set piece deliveries are an area where Pattaya struggle. Only Chaiyawat Buran ever takes them and this isn’t the strongest area of his game.
Pattaya actually had the ball in the visitors’ net in the 70th minute but were judged to have committed a foul on the Ubon keeper in the process of scoring and in the closing embers of the game Supravee Miprathang struck the bar as the home side squandered their best chance.
Ubon were able to leave Pattaya with all three points and they did this without ever showing any real sense of adventure. United are currently set up as a counter-attacking side and their lack of creativity helped the away side’s cause. Ubon’s large defensive unit was not really stretched and Pattaya needed to get the ball and players forward a great deal quicker.
The most creative player in the Pattaya ranks is Peeradol Chamratsamee and currently he spends most of the time keeping the bench warm. It was of no coincidence that Pattaya’s best moments of the game coincided with him being on the pitch.
Pattaya United were due travel to Chiangrai United for a midweek fixture on Wednesday, May 17 and will play a home game against Bangkok Glass at the Nong Prue Stadium in Pattaya this coming Saturday, May 20. Kick-off is scheduled for 8 pm.
