Last gasp United topple high-flying Suphanburi

A 92nd minute own goal by Suphanburi defender Pairote Sokam gave Pattaya United a vital 1-0 home win last Sunday at the Nongprue Stadium and enabled the Dolphins to, temporarily at least, leapfrog Chiangrai United in the relegation dog-fight.

Suphanburi’s early season good form appears to have deserted them in recent weeks but they still came into last weekend’s match as firm favourites to take all three points.  As it transpired, the game was a rather dull affair with neither team able to carve out any clear cut chances as both defences dominated proceedings.  The nearest either team came to scoring in normal time was when Pattaya’s Jeera Jarernsuk slipped past the Suphanburi goalkeeper in the second half but could only find the side-netting with his shot.

Pattaya United forward Efe Obode (center) is challenged by two Suphanburi defenders during their Thai Premier League fixture at the Nongprue Stadium in Pattaya, Sunday, Sept. 1. (Photo courtesy Pattaya United FC)

With the clock ticking into the second minute of injury time it seemed both teams would have to be content with a point, but a long clearance by Pattaya was chased down by striker Efe Obode and as he challenged Sokam, the Suphanburi defender contrived to head the ball over his own keeper and into an empty net.

The significance of the goal and the subsequent win was not lost on the United supporters who celebrated long after the final whistle.  United have now won three of their last five matches and are finally heading in the right direction up the league table.  The Dolphins will be looking for another morale boosting win when they take on BEC Tero Sasana in Pattaya this coming Saturday, kick-off at 6 p.m.

Things are also hotting up at the top end of the table with Buriram taking over from Muang Thong United at the head of the standings after the latter could only draw at Police United.  Chonburi remain third following their 2-1 home win over Chainat.