Pattaya United’s looming drop into second tier football moved another step closer last weekend after the Dolphins were comprehensively beaten 3-0 away at Ratchaburi on Sunday.
The home team, who themselves have been struggling at the wrong end of the table this season, opened the scoring in the 21st minute through a penalty by Brazilian forward Douglas.
Ratchaburi FC forward Douglas (center) takes the ball downfield during the first half of their Thai Premier League fixture against Pattaya United at the Ratchaburi Stadium, Sunday, August 11. (Photo courtesy Ratchaburi FC Fan Club)
Things got worse for United on the half hour mark when defender Theerayut, who had earlier conceded the penalty kick, committed a rash challenge on a Ratchaburi attacker and was dismissed for his second bookable offence.
Down to 10 men with the best part of an hour remaining in the game the writing appeared to be on the wall for the Dolphins. As it transpired, United held out gamely until 10 minutes into the second half when Colombian striker Obregon doubled Ratchaburi’s lead from close range. In the 67th minute the home team sealed all three points after United’s keeper Predaboon conceded another penalty and Douglas converted for his second goal of the game.
Last Saturday, Chonburi FC kept up their pursuit of the top two after a fortuitous own goal gave them a 1-0 home win over relegation threatened Bangkok United. Chonburi where due to face Pattaya in this Wednesday’s midweek derby clash before taking a trip to TOT this coming Sunday. Pattaya meanwhile will play away at second placed Muang Thong United on Saturday, kick off at 6.30 p.m.
| Team | P | W | D | L | +/- | Pts. |
| Buriram United | 20 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 31 | 48 |
| Muang Thong United | 20 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 45 |
| Chonburi | 20 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 41 |
| Suphanburi | 20 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 37 |
| Army United | 20 | 9 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 31 |
| BEC Tero Sasana | 20 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 29 |
| Osotspa | 20 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 29 |
| Songkhla United | 21 | 7 | 7 | 7 | -2 | 28 |
| Bangkok Glass | 20 | 7 | 6 | 7 | -4 | 27 |
| Police United | 20 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 25 |
| TOT | 20 | 6 | 6 | 8 | -10 | 24 |
| Chainat | 20 | 5 | 7 | 8 | -2 | 22 |
| Ratchaburi | 20 | 4 | 7 | 9 | -3 | 19 |
| Bangkok United | 20 | 4 | 5 | 11 | -15 | 17 |
| Samut Songkhram | 20 | 3 | 7 | 10 | -11 | 16 |
| Chiangrai United | 20 | 2 | 9 | 9 | -10 | 15 |
| Pattaya United | 20 | 3 | 1 | 16 | -26 | 10 |
| Sisaket | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -4 | 1 |
| Results: Army United 3 – 2 TOT, Samut Songkhram 1 – 0 Chainat, Police United PSTP Sisaket, Chonburi 1 – 0 Bangkok United, Osotspa 0 – 0 Bangkok Glass, BEC Tero Sasana 1 – 1 Suphanburi, Ratchaburi 3 – 0 Pattaya United, Buriram United 1 – 1 Muang Thong United, Chiangrai United 0 – 0 Songkhla United | ||||||
