FC Phuket 0 -0 Pattalung

FC Phuket have a brand new squad, a brand new nick name and a brand new kit but it was the same old story at the Surakul Stadium last Sunday as they drew 0-0 with Pattalung, the only team to finish below FC Phuket in Division Two (southern section) last season.

Of the three foreign signings only one made the starting line up, Nana Nenebi, from the Ivory Coast, who was a commanding presence at the back and a constant danger from set pieces. Midfielder Diarra Ali, also from the Ivory Coast, injured himself in training days before the season’s start and striker Robert Odametton, from Ghana, who looked extremely promising in pre season, disappointingly failed to agree terms with the club.

A new look FC Phuket seemed to struggle with the pace of the professional game and, while pre season the training had focused on passing and movement once the game kicked off they were continually looking to play the ball long. Without a strong physical presence up front this strategy failed to pay dividends and the first half was notable for the complete dearth of goalscoring opportunities. The best chance of the game fell to striker Anurak, one of the few remaining first team players from the disappointing 2009 campaign, but he took an age to set himself before screwing his shot horribly wide of the near post.

FC Phuket started to enjoy more possession as the half wore on but the Surakul surface, which appeared to have been partially re-laid and looked in terrible condition, was not condusive towards good football.

Last season’s outstanding player midfielder Japan was a surprising omission from the starting line up but new manager Arjhan Songgamsub wasted little time in introducing him soon after half time for the disappointing Anurak. Anurak’s strike partner, Chakrit, was equally ineffectual and missed a fantastic chance to give FC Phuket the lead when he failed to make a proper connection with a well hit cross which fell kindly for him in the opposition area.

There was relief for FC Phuket at the other end as a Pattalung header rebounded off the post with the keeper routed to the spot but chances were few and far between in a disappointing match. Arjhan Songgamsub feels we should reserve judgement on the current crop of players until they have got a few more matches under their belt, ‘It is too early to judge, we won’t really know how good this team is until they have played more games together. I don’t know whether I will make changes to the side or not, we will have to take a few days to analyse this performance first. The pitch is not good enough though,’ he said.

Officials say that the newly laid sections of the Surakul pitch should by fine by February 28^th the next home fixture against Nakhon Si Tammarat. Before that they have a trip to Phang Nga FC on February 20^th.

Robert Odametton’s disappointing departure has left a vacancy for another foreign player which FC Phuket will need to fill if they are to be competitive in this league. Off the field the level of organization has improved dramatically, and there is even now a club shop by the Surakul Stadium, but on the field there is still much work to be done.