Pattaya United had to come from behind to beat fellow strugglers and local rivals Siam Navy 2-1 in Sattahip last Saturday, Sept. 17, and edge clear of the relegation dog fight.
United stated the match just five points clear of their opponents who have been languishing in the relegation area for most of the season, but it was Siam Navy who started the brighter of the two teams and Brazilian Paulo Barbosa almost gave them the lead as early as the 7th minute.
In response United had the ball in the back of their opponent’s net 10 minutes later however the goal was ruled out after Ludovick was adjudged to have fouled the Navy goalkeeper.
Pattaya United’s Ludovick Takam (left) scores the winning goal against Siam Navy FC in Sattahip Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 17. (Photo/Ariyawat Nuamsawat)
With Navy continuing to press, it came as no surprise when the first goal went their way in the 21st minute of the game. Alex Da Costa got free on the left edge of the Pattaya penalty area and his accurate cross was headed in from 5 yards out by his compatriot Barbosa to send the majority of the 3,500 fans into raptures. Barbosa was subsequently booked by the referee for over exuberance in his goal celebrations and taking his shirt off.
The setback of the goal seemed to act as a wake-up call for Pattaya who began to exert more authority and control as the match progressed. They got back into the game in somewhat fortunate circumstances however when a speculative shot from Ludovick ricocheted into the path of fellow strike partner O.J. Obatola and his attempt on goal was then deflected by a Navy defender past the goalkeeper and into the net.
The second half was a far more tactical affair with both teams finding it hard to carve out clear cut chances but just when it looked as if the game was heading for an inevitable draw United struck in the final minute to snatch all three points.
As the clock ticked into the 90th minute, Obatola picked up the ball 20 yards out and ran straight at the Navy defence before slipping a clever through ball to Ludovick who calmly lifted the ball over the advancing keeper.
It was cruel luck on Siam Navy who would probably think they deserved at least a share of the spoils but for United it could yet prove to be an important moment as they edge away from the relegation zone and into relative mid-table safety.
Pattaya United’s next fixture is a home game against SCG Samut Songkhram FC at the Physical Education Institute Stadium in Chonburi on Sunday, Sept. 25. Kick-off is scheduled for 6 pm.
There was good news for the region’s other teams last weekend as Sriracha earned a vital 4-1 victory over bottom club Khon Kaen and Chonburi ‘Sharks’ drew 0-0 at Muang Thong United in the League Cup quarter-final to advance 3-2 on aggregate over the two legs. Chonburi will next meet Buriram PEA in a semi-final to savour
| Thai Premier League Table Sept. 18 | ||||||
| Team | P | W | D | L | +/- | Pts |
| Buriram PEA | 22 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 29 | 53 |
| Chonburi | 22 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 24 | 45 |
| Muang Thong | 21 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 20 | 44 |
| Si Sa Ket | 23 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 36 |
| Bangkok Glass | 23 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 35 |
| BEC Tero | 23 | 11 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 35 |
| Osotspa | 23 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 34 |
| Insee Police | 22 | 8 | 7 | 7 | -1 | 31 |
| Chiang Rai | 23 | 8 | 6 | 9 | -1 | 30 |
| Thai Port FC | 23 | 8 | 6 | 9 | -2 | 30 |
| Pattaya Utd | 23 | 7 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 28 |
| Army Utd | 23 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 26 |
| TTM Phichit | 21 | 7 | 5 | 9 | -6 | 26 |
| SCG | 22 | 5 | 9 | 8 | -8 | 24 |
| TOT SC | 23 | 7 | 1 | 15 | -20 | 22 |
| Sriracha | 23 | 5 | 6 | 12 | -10 | 21 |
| Navy | 23 | 5 | 5 | 13 | -22 | 20 |
| Khon Kaen | 23 | 4 | 4 | 15 | -26 | 16 |
| Results: Army United 1 v 1 Osotspa; Buriram PEA 2 v 1 Bangkok Glass; Siam Navy 1 v 2 Pattaya United; Chiangrai United 1 v 0 BEC Tero Sasana; Sriracha 4 v 1 Khon Kaen; TOT 1 v 0 Thai Port; Sisaket 1 v 1 Police United | ||||||
