Pattaya United 2, Navy FC 3
Last Friday evening, April 28, Pattaya United welcomed local rivals Navy FC to the Dolphins Stadium for an important fixture as both sides looked desperately for points to lift them away from the bottom of the Premiership table.
The first half was dominated by Navy FC territorially as they proved to be a well organized and disciplined side. Pattaya were still smarting from the heavy defeat they had suffered the previous week at Bangkok United, and many of the players short of confidence, simply could not retain possession.
It was of no surprise that Navy took the lead in the 41st minute when a deflected free kick from Chusana Numkanistorm found the bottom corner of the United net. The goal did have a hint of fortune about it but the Pattaya cause was not helped by its defensive wall disintegrating.
Pattaya did however manage to draw level on the stroke of half time when a splendid cross from Chayawat Srinawong found the head of Milos Stojanovic and the Serbian finished well to record his 6th goal of the season.
The first 20 minutes of the second half saw Pattaya have their best spell of the game and they were rewarded in the 60th minute when Stojanovic was bundled over in the area. It was left to Peeradol Chamratsamee to convert the spot kick and put the home side 2-1 up.
The remaining 25 minutes of the match saw the visitors searching for an equalizer. Pattaya were looking increasingly tired and the lack of mobility in centre midfield was becoming a crucial factor. Navy exploited this with the introduction of German midfielder Bjorn Lindemann and he was becoming increasingly influential as the Pattaya side tired.
It was of no surprise in the 85th minute when Navy equalized through Brazillian Rodrigo Vergilio. This was followed up in the 87th minute when Rodrigo claimed his second of the match and condemned Pattaya to another defeat.
The nature of this defeat gives cause to a number of concerns. Firstly when it was clear that the Pattaya side were being over-run in the centre of the park there was no action from the Pattaya bench to introduce fresh legs into the proceedings. This was exacerbated by the side changing the player who was playing in the vitally important holding role in front of the centre backs.
Of a more pressing concern is the vulnerability of the Pattaya defence. Navy found the back of Pattaya’s net four times in the last 20 minutes and the Dolphins were only saved on two occasions by the linesman’s flag.
The eight conceded goals in the last two games have been coming from the opposition strikers and it is clear that the two Pattaya centre backs do not see cancelling out the other side’s danger men as their main priority. Unless someone takes responsibility for this crucial role the side will continue to struggle.
Pattaya were due to play another crucial home game on Wednesday evening against fellow strugglers Thai Honda and this coming Saturday will be on the road for a trip to Port FC in Bangkok.
