Siam Celtic beat local favourite’s Pattaya City 2-1 in a thrilling final at the Leam Chabang Stadium on Saturday, June 6. The tournament saw 4 of the best amateur teams from Pattaya and Bangkok compete for the inaugural Pattaya Mango Trophy.
Pattaya City and Academicals were the local teams involved, with Siam Celtic and Hanuman Boys the teams headed from the capital. In the first game Pattaya City withstood a strong start by Siam Celtic and managed to turn on the style in the second half with well taken goals for Glenn and Alex. Pattaya looked solid at the back and won the game 2-0.
Siam Celtic celebrate victory in the inaugural Pattaya Mango Trophy football tournament.
Hanuman Boys and the Academicals went head to head in the second game and provided a match of skill and excitement. Hanuman took an early lead through an excellent burst of pace from Spanish centre-forward David Molino and a cool left footed finish. Academicals fought back, equalized through a great finish from Tom and took the lead with a goal from Drew.
The topsy-turvy game swung back to Hanuman when Molino grabbed his second goal of the game and then a rash challenge from the oversized centre half Bryne saw Hanuman awarded a penalty. Molino blasted the ball into the top corner to claim his hat trick and a victory to Hanuman.
In the next game, it was clear that Hanuman were still suffering a hangover from their emotional first win as they faced Pattaya City, who put together a ruthless performance to win 3-0 through goals from Igor, Chris Rako and a scuffed effort from 2 yards by Tommy Rooney, which was easily the worst goal of the day.
Pattaya City line up before the final.
Siam then faced the Academicals and won a closely fought contest when Siam skipper Mark Allen slammed home a shot from 25 yards. It was a rare moment of skill and speed from the captain, which seemed to take the Academics by surprise!
In the final round of games, Pattaya City continued their 100% record by beating the Academicals 1-0 through a crafty goal from Adam Hall. This left Siam Celtic and Hanuman to battle out for a place in the final. It was closely fought game and the result was a 1-1 draw… however, Siam qualified for the final with a better goal difference.
Pattaya City entered the final in confident manner, having qualified with 3 wins and having not conceded a goal in the tournament, however, it was Siam Celtic who took the lead, when Marlon Hardy got on the end of a huge long throw. Siam doubled their advantage early in the second half when Steven Gayton scored a stunning free kick from 25 yards. It all looked down and out for City, but Chris Rako scored a spectacular goal to bring a dramatic final climax.
Despite heavy pressure, Siam held on to the victory and secured the trophy to the Celtics. It was a dramatic end, to a long tiring day, where players had played 160mins of football in temperatures over 100F.
Pattaya City would like to thank all the players that competed in the tournament and who demonstrated great team spirit and sportsmanship throughout. And also thanks to Mango Magazine, who sponsored the trophy.
