‘Dolphins’ slide continues after defeat to Muang Thong

Pattaya United players and officials will be left with much to contemplate over the mid-season mini-break after the ‘Dolphins’ slipped to their seventh defeat of the current campaign with a 2-0 loss at defending champions Muang Thong United last Sunday.

Indeed one has to go all the way back to the middle of April to recall United’s last win in the league, at home against Sri Racha FC, when it seemed there was a huge gulf in class between the neighboring teams.  After United’s recent dismal run of results, however, the gap now stands at just five points between the ‘Dolphins’ and third off bottom Sri Racha.

Pattaya United forward Ludovick Takam, left, is shadowed by two Muang Thong United defenders during the second half of their Thai Premier League fixture at the Yamaha Stadium in Bangkok, Sunday, June 12. (Photo/Ariyawat Nuamsawat)

United took on Muang Thong in the intimidating atmosphere of the Yamaha Stadium last Sunday and fell behind as early as the 18th minute when their defence failed to deal with a long through ball from the Muang Thong half of the field, and striker Teerasil Dangda sprinted clear to knock the ball wide of goalkeeper Wichan and into the empty net to give the hosts the lead.

Pattaya were able to able to keep the home team from adding to the score until the 61st minute when Wichan raced off his line to deny one of the Muang Thong forwards but could only proceed to pull him down in the area, leading to a penalty kick.  Ivory Coast forward Dagno Siaka strode up to take the kick and calmly slotted it past Wichan to secure all three points for the resurgent champions.

All the Premier League teams will now take a two week hiatus and Pattaya United will return to league action on Saturday July 2, with an away fixture at high flying Bangkok Glass.

There was at least some good news for United fans last week with the announcement that the club is set to return to its home stadium at Nongprue Field from August 14 onwards.  United are due to take on TOT SC on that date and it is anticipated that the revamped stadium will be ready to play host to the fixture.

Meanwhile, at the top of the league last weekend Buriram PEA continued their relentless march toward championship glory with a 5-0 thrashing of Chiang Rai United.  Buriram’s nearest rivals Chonburi FC slipped to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of a resurgent Bangkok Glass to leave them ten points off the pace.

Chonburi’s next fixture is on July 3 away at Thai Port FC while struggling Sri Racha will take a trip to Samut Songkram on July 2.