Pattaya United FC swept aside the disappointment of a season opening day loss to Port FC with a resounding victory over Chainat Hornbills at the Dolphins Stadium in Pattaya last Saturday.
United were clearly still suffering a hangover from the Port FC defeat as they allowed Chainat to gain the early initiative in the match and the visitors took the lead after only 4 minutes when Ivory Coast striker Bernard Doumbia pounced on a mistake in the United defence to put the visitors ahead.
Shrugging aside this setback however, the home team bounced straight back and drew level just 2 minutes later as new Brazilian forward Lukian endeared himself to his new fan-base as he controlled a throw-in, turned his marker in the box and fired in a fierce shot that took a slight deflection as it flew over Chainat goalkeeper Nakchamnarn and into the net.
Things could have got worse for the visitors soon after as Pattaya’s Thongkhruea headed against the woodwork from close range as the home team piled on the pressure.
United would take the lead just after the half hour mark in comical fashion. Nakchamnarn attempted to dribble the ball out of his own area and was disposessed by the alert Lukian who was then left with the simple task of tapping the ball into an empty net to double his tally.
The Brazilian then made it a home debut to remember in the 60th minute as he ran onto a long through-ball, shrugged off the nearest Chainat defender and calmly chipped the ball over Nakchamnarn to secure his first hat-trick for the Dolphins in only his second league appearance.
The icing on the cake for Pattaya came five minutes from full time when Peeradon Chamratsamee danced through the leaky visitors’ defence to slot the ball home from close range and seal a fine win for United.
Pattaya United are next in league action on Saturday, Feb. 24 when they travel to Prachuap FC. Kick-off is scheduled for 7pm.
