Pattaya United 0, Buriram United 2
Pattaya United welcomed top of the table Buriram United to the Dolphins Stadium last Saturday, June 24 and the attractiveness of the fixture was highlighted with a sellout 5,800 crowd. Pattaya had several key players returning to the starting lineup after they had been rested for the midweek cup win against Chainat Hornbill FC.
Pattaya started the game brightly, looking well organized and having lots of possession, however, despite doing well territorially the home side lacked a cutting edge and the only first half goal attempt worthy of note was a wayward header from Milos Stojanovic. Going into the break level at 0-0 Pattaya deserved the enthusiastic reception they received from the home supporters.
The second half started with Buriram looking a far different side to the one that had played in the first. Pressing the Pattaya side further up the field, Buriram were looking more and more dangerous and it was of no surprise in the 63rd minute when the skillful Diogo converted from a corner.
Pattaya’s cause was not helped by the fact that as the game proceded they once again tired quickly. This was not the first time this has happened this season and any thoughts of searching for an equalizer were extinguished in the 72nd minute when Jaja Coelho scored after a dreadful error from Sarawut Kanlayanabandit.
In all fairness to the Pattaya defender the goal was as much down to the side’s lack of directiveness as it was to the player’s individual error. Throughout the game Pattaya were guilty of playing the ball sideways or backwards, and it often led to the central defenders starting attacks and being put under unnecessary pressure.
Sadly the second half performance lacked ambition and Pattaya lost an opportunity to have a real go at the league leaders with a passionate home crowd behind them. Pattaya’s night of frustration ended with a red card for Peeradol Chamratsamee for a clumsy lunging foul.
Since the return to league action, Pattaya have lost the two games played without scoring a goal and are now only one place and three points above the relegation zone. Whilst not a great deal was expected from these two tough fixtures they would be hoping to find some imagination for Wednesday’s home game against Nakhon Ratchasima and this coming Sunday’s tough away game at Muang Thong United. Pattaya have some good players but they need to produce some positive results before the side finds itself getting dragged into a relegation dogfight.
