Pattaya United scored the odd goal in five in an entertaining 3-2 Toyota League Cup victory over Chiangrai United at the Nongprue Stadium in Pattaya on Saturday, April 18.
In-form Pattaya took the lead in the 4th minute through a goal from Serbian winger Milan Bubalo and the hosts doubled that lead 20 minutes later via a spectacular strike from Peruvian Roberto Ramirez who fired in a dipping, unstoppable shot from fully 25-yards out.
The Dolphins continued to press and Chaiyawat Buran had the chance to settle the contest before half time but he somehow managed to fluff his lines and lofted the ball over the bar with the Chiangrai goal at his mercy.
Pattaya United’s Chaiyawat Buran (left) challenges for the ball with Chiangrai’s Anon Sangsanoi during thie second half of their Toyota League Cup round of 64 clash at the Nongprue Stadium in Pattaya, Saturday, April 18. (Photo courtesy Chiangrai United FC)
The hosts were made to pay for this profligacy soon after when Piyapatrakitti dropped a high cross under pressure and Chiangrai’s Brazilian import Renan Marques steered the loose ball home through a tangle of defenders legs. Pattaya protested the goal, claiming a foul on their goalkeeper, but the score was allowed to stand and left the tie still in the balance at half time.
The Dolphins came out in the second half in a mood to atone for their earlier mistake and they restored their 2 goal cushion just 6 minutes after the restart when Chiangrai midfielder Keita Sugimoto inadvertently sent the ball into his own net to make it 3-1 to Pattaya. The score would remain the same until the dying moments of the match when Marques produced another smart finish from the edge of the area to reduce the deficit and make the final score 3-2.
Pattaya United were due to face Prachuap FC in a League Division 1 fixture on Wednesday, April 22, and will be in League action again this coming Saturday, April 25, with a home game against Krabi FC. Kick-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.
