O.J. puts United on winning track at Thai Port

Pattaya United gained a morale boosting victory in their first Premier League game back after the mid-summer break with a 2-0 victory over Thai Port FC at the Pat Stadium in Bangkok last Sunday.

United had to endure some early pressure from the home side and Narit in the Pattaya goal was forced into making a smart save to prevent Kongcharoen from opening the scoring after a slip by defender Parinya Saenkhammun had left him one on one with the keeper.

O.J. Obatola (left) celebrates after giving Pattaya United the lead in their match against Thai Port FC at the Pat Stadium in Bangkok, Sunday, July 31. (Photo/Ariyawat Nuamsawat)

Eventually United began to find a footing in the match and they took the lead in the final minutes of the first half.  Nigerian O.J. Obatola started the move near his own penalty area and went on a driving run up the field.  After exchanging a neat one-two with strike partner Ludovick, O.J. unleashed an unstoppable shot from the edge of the Thai Port area that flew past the despairing dive of the keeper.

United’s travelling band of supporters had barely stopped celebrating when the ‘Dolphins’ went two up with the final move of the first half.  The visitors took a quick throw in on the left wing and when the cross came over, Kritsana Taiwan was waiting on the edge of the box to slam a left foot shot into the far corner of the goal.

Goalscorer Kritsana Taiwan (left) celebrates with teammates O.J. Obatola (center) and Parinya Saenkhammuen (right) after putting Pattaya United two-up against Thai Port FC at the Pat Stadium in Bangkok last Sunday, July 31.  (Photo/Ariyawat Nuamsawat)

Thai Port had a chance to get a foothold back into the match immediately after the restart when their Nigerian forward Jacob Aikhionbare was sent sprawling in the box following a clumsy challenge by Sompob Nilwong.  Worawut stepped up to take the resulting spot kick but his fierce shot was superbly turned around the post by the diving Narit.

It proved to be the pivotal point in the game as following this miss Thai Port were unable to breach the Pattaya defence despite piling on the pressure and the visitors held out for a well deserved three points.

United’s next match is this coming Saturday against Osotspa M-150 in Saraburi.  Kick-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.

The was more good news for the Eastern Seaboard teams last weekend as Sriracha FC recorded a vital 1-0 victory over Army United that sees the ‘Marlins’ move out of the bottom three relegation places on goal difference.