Police raid leaves United mired in relegation zone

Pattaya United’s disastrous form in the first half of the 2013 Thai Premier League season continued last weekend when the Dolphins were handed a 3-1 home defeat by fellow strugglers Police United at a sun-drenched Nongprue Stadium on Sunday.

The game was effectively over by half time as the visitors raced into a 3-0 lead at the break.  Pattaya’s defensive frailties were exposed as early as the 8th minute when Saranyu Intaraat turned the ball into the Dolphins’ net from close range after Felipe Ferrira saw his shot rebound of the foot of the goalpost.

Police doubled their lead in the 34th minute after team captain Surachart Sareepim latched onto a left wing cross from Nontadee and headed powerfully into the corner of the Pattaya goal.

Pattaya’s misery was completed on the stroke of halftime when Felipe chipped the ball over United keeper Preedaboon to give the visitors an unassailable lead.

The second half was a scrappy affair and was marred by crowd trouble between rival sets of supporters that caused a temporary halt to proceedings.  Prior to that, Pattaya had seen their defender Apinan Suantong sent off for a second bookable offence.

Despite being a man down, eventually the home team were able garner something from the game with a late consolation goal from Rodion Dyachenko who volleyed in superbly from the edge of the area.

Pattaya United now just have one more game before the mid-season break, a home match this coming Saturday against Samut Songkhram, with kick-off scheduled for 6 p.m.  The season resumes after the break on July 20, when United face a tough fixture away at Osotspa.

At the top of the table, Muang Thong gained ground on Buriram after the latter could only manage a goalless draw with TOT.  Chonburi slipped down to fourth after they recorded a similar scoreline at home to Osotspa and Suphanburi beat Songkhla.