It might be a long shot but Pattaya United are starting to give their fans just the faintest glimmer of hope that they might be capable of putting a string of results together to pull themselves out of the relegation quagmire.
After a disappointing 2-1 home loss to Bangkok United in last week’s midweek match, United travelled to TOT on Saturday looking to rediscover the scoring form that saw them beat local rivals Chonburi and push leaders Muang Thong all the way in recent matches.
Pattaya United take on TOT in Bangkok, Saturday, August 24. (Photo courtesy Pattaya United FC)
At the TOT Stadium in Chiang Wattana, Dolphin fans had to wait until 2 minutes into the second half to see their team break the deadlock as Kritsana Taiwan powered in a header from 12 yards out.
United would go on to double their lead on 68 minutes, this time forward Efe Obobe applying the finishing touch after the TOT defence made a hash of clearing the ball from their area. The coup de grace for United came in the final minute of stoppage time as Obobe turned provider this time, laying on an easy conversion for Jinta at the far post.
The win takes Pattaya level on points with Chiangrai United but still three behind Samut Songkhram in the safety zone. Pattaya United now face back-to-back home matches against Suphanburi on Sunday, Sept. 1 followed by BEC Tero Sasana on Sept. 7. Kick-off for both games is scheduled for 6 p.m.
| Thai Premier League Standings August 25 | ||||||
| Team | P | W | D | L | +/- | Pts. |
| Muang Thong United | 24 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 23 | 57 |
| Buriram United | 23 | 16 | 7 | 0 | 37 | 55 |
| Chonburi | 24 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 14 | 46 |
| Suphanburi | 24 | 11 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 42 |
| Army United | 24 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 38 |
| BEC Tero Sasana | 23 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 35 |
| Bangkok Glass | 24 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 34 |
| Osotspa | 23 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 33 |
| Songkhla United | 25 | 7 | 9 | 9 | -6 | 30 |
| Police United | 23 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 29 |
| Chainat | 24 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 29 |
| TOT | 24 | 6 | 6 | 12 | -20 | 24 |
| Ratchaburi | 24 | 5 | 8 | 11 | -5 | 23 |
| Bangkok United | 24 | 6 | 5 | 13 | -17 | 23 |
| Samut Songkhram | 23 | 4 | 7 | 12 | -15 | 19 |
| Chiangrai United | 23 | 2 | 10 | 11 | -14 | 16 |
| Pattaya United | 24 | 5 | 1 | 18 | -24 | 16 |
| Sisaket | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -4 | 1 |
| Results: TOT 0 v 3 Pattaya United, Suphanburi 0 v 0 Ratchaburi, Bangkok Glass 0 v 0 Chonburi, Sisaket PSTP BEC Tero Sasana, Chainat 2 v 2 Army United, Songkhla United 2 v 2 Osotspa, Buriram United 5 v 1 Samut Songkhram, Chiangrai United 2 v 2 Police United, Muang Thong United 3 v 2 Bangkok United. | ||||||
