Pattaya United slipped to their second successive away defeat of the new Division 1 season last Sunday when they fell to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Thai Honda at the 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Bangkok.
United had the best of the early chances in the game, but first Bubalo shot weekly at Wongrattanavichit in the Thai Honda goal and then Komazec’s well directed header was cleared off the goal-line by a desperate home defence.
Chonburi FC’s Leandro (right) shoots for goal against Ratchaburi Mitr Phol at the The Dragons Arena in Ratchaburi, Sunday, March 1. (Photo courtesy Chonburi FC)
The hosts gradually worked their way back into the match and they took the lead just after the half hour mark when a deflected shot fell kindly into the path of Argentine forward Gonzalez, and he calmly steered the ball past the advancing United keeper Khumpium to put Thai Honda 1 nil up.
The score remained that way until half time but Thai Honda doubled their advantage just four minutes after the restart. A sloppy back pass by United’s Korean defender Lee Won-young led to keeper Khumpium slicing his clearance directly into the path of the advancing Honda forwards and Joranathong superbly chipped the Pattaya goalkeeper from 30 yards out, with the ball entering the net from the underside of the crossbar.
United put the home defence under severe pressure for the remainder of the half but their forwards were reduced to snatching at half chances, the best of which fell to Peruvian Roberto Merino who volleyed wide from 5 yards out.
The result was ultimately a disappointment for United whose overall performance deserved more from the game. The Dolphins will be hoping for more luck in their next league match this coming Sunday, March 8, when they take on Samutsongkhram at the Nongprue Stadium in Pattaya. Kick-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Pattaya United FC line up before their Thai League Division 1 fixture against Thai Honda FC at the 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Bangkok, Sunday, March 1.
In the Thai Premier League, there was a shock for second placed Chonburi Sharks when they were on the wrong end of a 3-1 defeat at Ratchaburi FC.
The visitors carved out several golden opportunities to score in the opening minutes of the match but they were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal when Ratchaburi broke away and took the lead on 22 minutes, Da Silva taking a long ball superbly in his stride and firing past Sinthaweechai in the Chonburi goal. Sinthaweechai was called upon again soon after to deny Nilwong a clear goal scoring opportunity and the score remained 1-0 to the home team at half time.
The Sharks came out with more bite at the start of the second period and they equalized on 57 minutes when Brazilian forward Leandro broke through on the left and squeezed his shot into the far corner of the net to level things up.
The balance of the match would soon tip back in favour of the hosts however as Ratchaburi’s own South American magician Heberty fired in an unstoppable dipping shot from fully 35 yards out to restore the home team’s advantage on the hour mark.
Five minutes later, a hotly disputed penalty kick sealed the game and points for the hosts. Heberty converted from the spot for his second goal of the match and the Sharks could find no way back from there.
The defeat sees Chonburi slip to ninth place in the Premier League standings but still only 3 points behind leaders Suphanburi FC. Chonburi’s next fixture is on Sunday, March 8, at home against BEC Tero. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
