Pattaya United slipped worryingly closer to the relegation zone after failing to secure victories over either TTM Chiangmai or Chiangrai United in games at the Nongprue Stadium in Pattaya last week,
Following a midweek 2-2 draw with bottom club Chiangmai, United came out to face a resurgent Chiangrai team for last Saturday’s weekend fixture at a rain-swept stadium, with spectators seeking whatever shelter they could find from the downpour on the exposed terraces.
Pattaya United in action against Chaingrai United at the Nongprue Stadium in Pattaya, Saturday, July 28. (Photo/Pattaya United)
The visitors took a first half lead through a breakaway goal after United had seen their own goal bound effort cleared off the line. Chiangrai’s Brazilian midfielder Leandro led the charge downfield before slipping a through ball to Issawa Singthong who fired past Narit for the opening goal.
United hit back strongly, with Siriwong long range effort skimming the visitors’ crossbar and O.J. Obatola was unlucky to see his superb right foot strike ruled out for an earlier infringement, but the score remained 0-1 at the break.
The home team finally found a foothold back in the match early in the second half when the returning Ludovick headed in from close range, however United would fall behind again soon after when Tansopa fired in a low shot from the edge of the box that flew under Narit’s dive and into the Pattaya net.
It looked to be an uphill task for United to come back a second time, especially after a flying save by the Chiangrai keeper denied Wongdee, but with the clock ticking down to fulltime, up stepped club captain Siriwong to save the day with a real pile-driver of a free kick from fully 20 yards out that hit the back of the net off the underside of the crossbar.
Despite the late fightback, two points from two home games was less than what was required by Pattaya as they are now just three points above the relegation dog-fight. United’s next match is a must win away fixture on Sunday, August 5 at second bottom Police United.
Thai Premier League Standings July 29
| Team | P | W | D | L | +/- | Pts. |
| Muang Thong United | 19 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 26 | 47 |
| Chonburi | 19 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 39 |
| Buriram United | 19 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 15 | 33 |
| BEC Tero Sasana | 19 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 33 |
| Bangkok Glass | 19 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 15 | 32 |
| Army United | 19 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 30 |
| Chiangrai United | 19 | 6 | 7 | 6 | -3 | 25 |
| TOT | 19 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 24 |
| Wuachon United | 19 | 5 | 8 | 6 | -2 | 23 |
| Esan United | 19 | 5 | 8 | 6 | -2 | 23 |
| Osotspa | 19 | 6 | 3 | 10 | -5 | 21 |
| Chainat | 19 | 4 | 9 | 6 | -5 | 21 |
| Pattaya United | 19 | 4 | 8 | 7 | -5 | 20 |
| Thai Port | 19 | 4 | 7 | 8 | -13 | 19 |
| BBCU | 19 | 4 | 6 | 9 | -11 | 18 |
| Samut Songkhram | 19 | 4 | 5 | 10 | -12 | 17 |
| Police United | 19 | 3 | 8 | 8 | -8 | 17 |
| TTM Chiangmai | 19 | 2 | 6 | 11 | -15 | 12 |
| Results: Pattaya United 2 -2 Chiangrai United; TTM Chiangmai 0 – 3 Muang Thong United; Samut Songkhram 1 – 0 Chonburi; BEC Tero Sasana 2 – 1 Wuachon United; Police United 0 – 0 Buriram United; Thai Port 1 – 1 Army United; Bangkok Glass 1 – 0 Osotspa; Chainat 1 – 3 BBCU; TOT 3 – 1 Esan United | ||||||
