Phattalung 0-2 FC Phuket

match report from the Phuket Gazette

translated by Stephen Fein

FC Phuket beat Phattalung FC, 2-0

PHUKET: FC Phuket rebounded from being bounced out of the Toyota League Cup competition last weekend with a solid 2-0 win at Phatthalung on Sunday.

Phattalung FC came into the pairing in tenth place in the 13-team Division 2 South of the AIS Regional League, while FC Phuket had already clinched the division title.

Both sides came out aggressively, but FC Phuket’s Nene Bi broke the deadlock with a goal at 13 minutes and the Southern Sea Kirin began to control the flow of the game after that. The second goal came at 25 minutes on a rebound shot from Chakrit Rawanprakhone.

Phattalung FC’s efforts to get back in the game were stifled by solid defending in the Phuket backfield and the Southern Sea Kirin held on to beat the Swiftlets 2-0.

The win brings the FC Phuket’s record to 16 wins, four losses and two draws, with a stunning +32 goal differential.

Other results in Division 2 South matches over the weekend: HatYai 1 - 1 Ranong; Phang Nga 2- 1 Chumphon; Surat Thani 6 - 1 Yala; Krabi 2 - 2 Trang; Satun 4 - 2 Nakhon Si Thammarat.

FC Phuket’s last game of the season is a home fixture starting at 6pm on Wednesday against Phang Nga FC.

The battle to see which Division 2 South team will grab second place, earning a spot alongside FC Phuket in the promotional playoffs, will be determined the same night, when all teams play their final matches. Trang could clinch it with a home win against Hat Yai FC.

The top of the points table looks like this going into the matches: Phuket 52; Trang 38; Satun United 37; Surat Thani 36, Ranong 35.

The fixtures are as follows: Trang v HatYai; Pattani v Phattalung; Chumphon v Nakhon Si Thammarat; Krabi v Satun United; Ranong v Surat Thani.


– Stephen Michael Fein

Osotspan Saraburi 3-1 FC Phuket

Trailing 2-1 from the first leg at the Surakul Stadium FC Phuket were faced with the unenviable task of defeating Osotspan Saraburi away from home if they were to progress to the second round of the Toyota League Cup.

A small contingent of FC Phuket fans made the trip to Saraburi for the match on Thursday night. An upset seemed to be on the cards when Ivory Coast midfielder Diarra Ali gave FC Phuket the lead after only three minutes.

FC Phuket were without captain and defensive lynchpin Suphat Onthong who broke his nose while training with Muang Thong Utd. His absence was felt keenly as the Southern Sea Kirin collapsed, conceding three goals before half time.

The match finished 3-1 meaning that FC Phuket lose 5-1 on aggregate.

Osotspan Saraburi 3-1 FC Phuket

match report to follow...

FC Phuket 1-2 Osotspa Saraburi FC

FC Phuket were desperately unlucky to be beaten 2-1 by Premier Division Side Osotspa Saraburi in the opening round of the Toyota League Cup. The first leg of the fixture took place at the Surakul Stadium on Sunday and represented a serious step up in opposition for FC Phuket who are currently two divisions below their opponents.

It was the first home fixture for the Southern Sea Kirin since clinching the Division Two title and a good chance for Arjan Songssamsub’s side to test themselves against a higher level of opposition. FC Phuket have already faced Premier League opposition this season and gave an extremely good account of themselves on that occasion. Samut Songkhram required two goals in extra time to knock FC Phuket out of the Thai FA Cup in the third round in June.

The disparity between the two divisions was obvious at the start of the match with FC Phuket struggling to adjust to the slightly higher pace of the game. It was Osotspa Saraburi who got the better of the opening exchanges but with Diarra Ali an increasingly influential presence in midfield FC Phuket improved as the half wore on.

The first chance of the game fell to Osotspa Saraburi striker Phaitoon Tiepma midway through the half but he blazed well over after good work on the right hand side by Ghanaian forward Evans Mensah. Moments later the sort of fast flowing counter attack which has become a familiar sight to FC Phuket fans this season ended with teenage winger Sarach Yooyen firing narrowly over the bar from long range.

FC Phuket goalkeeper Jacked Thamassaen almost gifted Osotspa Saraburi the lead but was able to recover and make a sharp save after he had fumbled a cross. FC Phuket were growing in confidence and Nene Bi almost gave his side the lead on the stroke of half time when he got his head on the end of a long range free kick from Diarra Ali. The Ivory Coast defender was desperately unfortunate to see his header across goal fly agonizingly wide of the post.

Disaster struck just two minutes into the second half for the home side when Phaitoon Tiepma was given time and space in the FC Phuket penalty area and despite getting two hands on the ball Thamassaen was unable to keep his shot out. Adisak Kraisorn spurned a glorious chance to equalize moments later when he was player through after good work by Diarra Ali but his shot lacked conviction and was comfortable saved by Mantehwa Lahmsombat.

Poramut Krongbrisut had a good chance after 57 minutes but he sliced his shot wide of the near post after being played through on goal with an intelligent through ball by Sarach Yooyen. It would prove to be a costly miss for FC Phuket as Osotspa Saraburi grabbed a second goal almost immediately after. Thailand under 23 international Apipoo Suntornpanavej whipped in a free kick from the right which eluded everyone including the hapless Thamassaen before nestling in the bottom right hand corner of the net.

It was harsh on FC Phuket who has more than matched their more illustrious opponents. To the team’s credit they picked up the pace and were extremely unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty after 66 minutes. Kraisorn brilliantly weaved his way through the Osotspa Saraburi defence and was just about to pull the trigger when a defender slid straight through him.

The crowd rose as one in anticipation of a penalty but the referee chose to waive away the furious FC Phuket protests and allow the game to continue.

A goal for FC Phuket finally arrived when Diarra Ali curled a brilliant free kick into the top right hand corner from 25 yards. It was a fine strike and no more than FC Phuket deserved for a battling performance.

Striker Chakrit Rawanprakon was thrown on as FC Phuket looked to grab an equalizer in injury time. The Osotspa Saraburi defence stood firm in the face of intense FC Phuket pressure and will take a commanding lead into the second leg.

The away goals rule means that FC Phuket are faced with the daunting task of scoring at least twice at the M-150 Stadium if they want to progress. Manager Songsamssub was still able to see the positives in this performance,

‘I think we were unlucky because we had a lot of chances to score but we did not take them well. I don’t blame the goalkeeper for either of their goals. Osotspa Saraburi are in the Premier Division and we are only in Division Two so I am pleased with our performance. I think Diarra Ali’s goal will help us and it is still possible to get into the next round,’ he said.

by James Goyder

FC Phuket 1-2 Osotspa Saraburi FC

match report to follow...

FC Phuket vs Osotspa Saraburi FC 5pm Kick Off

FC Phuket's home game with Osotspa Sraburi kicks off at 5PM, one hour earlier than the normal time.

FC Phuket in cup action this Sunday

FC Phuket will face Thai Premier League team Osotspa Saraburi FC in the opening round of the 2010 Toyota League Cup.

Matches are played over two legs and the first leg will be held at the Surakul Stadium this Sunday, Kick off 6pm.

It will be an interesting test for FC Phuket who have already won Division Two (Southern Section) and are hoping to qualify for Division One via the divisional play offs.