It was never going to be an easy task for Pattaya United to go to the I-Mobile Stadium, home of the current league leaders Buriram, and expect to come away with anything from the game, and the form book didn’t disappoint as that’s just how it panned out for both teams.
Looking to consolidate their narrow lead at the top of the table, Buriram, backed by their vociferous home support, proceeded to hand the visiting Pattaya ‘Dolphins’ a 5-0 thrashing and in the process send their opponents back into the relegation zone.
Buriram United’s Jirawat Makarom (13) evades a challenge from Pattaya United’s Kriangkhai Pimrat (17) during their Thai Premier League fixture at the New I-Mobile Stadium in Buriram, Sunday, Oct. 20. (Photo courtesy Buriram United F.C.)
Pattaya could be forgiven for thinking that luck was against them when Panwat Jinta, under no apparent pressure, turned the ball into his own net in the 10th minute for the only goal of the first half. However, any thoughts the visitors may have had of working their way back into the match were swept away when Carmelo Gonzalez’s headed goal soon after the restart paved the way for a second half onslaught by Buriram that saw further strikes from Javier Patino, Kai Hirano and Bruno Arleas in a 5-0 romp.
Pattaya are now left on the very precipice of relegation from the top flight of Thai football and the importance of this Sunday’s home fixture against Chaingrai United now assumes monumental proportions, especially after the latter beat Ratchabuti last weekend. Nothing less than a win for Pattaya will suffice as they face a difficult trip to play Police United in their final match of the season. Chiang Rai entertain Bangkok United on the same day with the latter unlikely to have anything to play for. The wild card in the relegation dog-fight could still be Ratchaburi, who play Police United and Samut Songkhram in their final two fixtures.
Kick-off for Pattaya United’s match against Chiangrai United at the Nongprue Stadium is at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27.
| Thai Premier League Standings Oct. 20 | ||||||
| Team | P | W | D | L | +/- | Pts. |
| Buriram United | 30 | 21 | 9 | 0 | 47 | 72 |
| Muang Thong United | 30 | 21 | 6 | 3 | 28 | 69 |
| Chonburi | 30 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 19 | 56 |
| Suphanburi | 31 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 51 |
| Bangkok Glass | 31 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 47 |
| Army United | 30 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 45 |
| BEC Tero Sasana | 30 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 4 | 44 |
| Osotspa | 30 | 9 | 12 | 9 | -1 | 39 |
| Police United | 30 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 5 | 38 |
| Chainat | 30 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 0 | 37 |
| Bangkok United | 30 | 8 | 7 | 15 | -19 | 31 |
| Samut Songkhram | 30 | 6 | 11 | 13 | -15 | 29 |
| Songkhla United | 30 | 6 | 11 | 13 | -17 | 29 |
| Chiangrai United | 30 | 6 | 10 | 14 | -16 | 28 |
| TOT | 30 | 7 | 7 | 16 | -27 | 28 |
| Ratchaburi | 30 | 5 | 11 | 14 | -9 | 26 |
| Pattaya United | 30 | 8 | 2 | 20 | -27 | 26 |
| Sisaket | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Results: Chainat 3 – 0 Suphanburi, Songkhla United 0 – 1 Bangkok United, Osotspa 2 – 4 BEC Tero Sasana, Police United 3 – 1 Chonburi, Buriram United 5 – 0 Pattaya United, Samut Songkhram 1 – 1 Army United, Chiangrai United 1 – 0 Ratchaburi, Muang Thong United 1 – 0 Bangkok Glass. | ||||||
