United win local derby: Sharks suffer semi-final exit

Pattaya United secured local bragging rights last Sunday with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Sriracha FC at the Suzuki Stadium.  Teeravekin Seehawong had the travelling contingent of Dolphin supporters on their feet when he latched onto a far post header by Paul Ekollo in the 77th minute of the game to nod the ball past the Marlins keeper.

United dominated possession for large parts of the game but were fortunate not to concede in the opening half when Narit was forced into pulling off a point-blank save from the Sriracha left winger and soon after the home side were denied again when a free kick struck the Pattaya woodwork and the  ball rebounded to safety.

Pattaya United’s Teeravekin Seehawong (center) celebrates after scoring the winning goal at the Suzuki Stadium in Sriracha last Sunday, Oct. 2 (Photo/Ariyawat Nuamsawat)

Narit was again called on late on in the match to produce another excellent close range save to ensure the team made the short return journey up Sukhumvit Road with all three points in the bag.

The win continues Pattaya’s recent run of good form that has seen them take 13 points from their last half dozen fixtures.  United’s next match is a home fixture against BEC Tero Sasana on Sunday, October 16 at the IPE Stadium in Chonburi, kick off at 6 p.m.

Sriracha meanwhile are left with the very real prospect of a swift return to Division 1 unless they can put a run a wins together over the closing months of the season.  The Marlins next fixture is on Oct. 9 away at SCG Songkhram.

Whilst not involved in league action last weekend, Chonburi FC nevertheless faced an important match with the second leg of the League Cup semi-final against Buriram PEA.  Trailing 1-0 from the away leg, Chonburi’s hopes took a dive when Suchao Nutnum doubled the aggregate lead for Buriram after only 3 minutes of the match.

The Sharks fought back spiritedly though and despite being harshly reduced to 10 men when Akpueze saw red, they managed to establish a 2-1 lead before half time through goals by Silva and Pipob On-mo.

In the second half Buriram made their numerical superiority count and Franck Ohandza equalized in the 70th minute but there was still time for On-mo to grab his second of the evening and give Chonburi the win on the night, however they were eliminated from the competition on away goals with the aggregate score tied at 3-3.