FC Phuket maintained their one hundred per cent home record and returned to the top of the table with a hard fought win over local rivals Krabi last Saturday.
Krabi and FC Phuket have enjoyed contrasting fortunes this season with the latter right up in the promotion places and the former struggling near the foot of the table. Despite their lowly league status Krabi provided the sternest test of FC Phuket's promotion credentials of any team to visit the Surakul Stadium this season.
Manager Arjan Songsamsub reshuffled his pack playing Nene Bi, who had previously played all his football here in centre defence, in the lone striker’s role.
FC Phuket played a 4-3-3 formation which became 4-5-1 when Krabi were in possession meaning that leading goal scorer Adisak found himself somewhat surprisingly playing wide on the right.
The tactic was not entirely successful as Krabi had the better of the opening exchanges. The closest that either side came to scoring was when the visitors hit the post with a speculative shot from near the right touchline after a corner had been cleared.
Krabi's keeper appeared less than convincing, underhitting a couple of early clearances, and was entirely culpable as FC Phuket grabbed an opener against the run of play. A speculative cross from the left hand wing caused the keeper to come charging off his line allowing the ever impressive Diarra Ali to head the ball into an empty net.
Songsamsub changed things round at half time, moving Diarra Ali back into central defence and pushing Poramut and Adisak up front in a more conventional 4-4-2 formation. The tactic almost backfired spectacularly with Nene Bi and goalkeeper Jagked getting in a mix up and the Ivory Coast defender fortunate to see the ball bounce harmlessly off the post after he had inadvertently deflected it goalwards.
Nene Bi almost redeemed himself moments later when his curling free kick could only be punched clear by the ever unconvincing Krabi keeper. Jagked was then forced into making a smart save with his feet at the other end but it was to no avail as moments later Krabi grabbed an equaliser with an unstoppable pile driver of a shot from the corner of the penalty area.
The passionate FC Phuket home support, who have split into two factions each sitting at opposite ends of the ground, were undeterred. With the crowd’s chants ringing in their ears FC Phuket started to enjoy increasing possession with the visitors content to settle for a point.
Songsamsub decided to go for broke, bringing substitute Chakrit off the bench and the striker made an instant impact. A right wing cross fell kindly for him and he showed real composure to chest the ball down before blasting it into the roof of the net.
The win keeps FC Phuket in contention at the top of the table despite having failed to win a single away game. Speaking after the match manager Songsamsub defended his decision to tinker with the sides tactics,
'Krabi's defenders are good in the air so I played Nene Bi up front because he is stronger than any of my other strikers and can hold the ball up well. We were leading 1-0 at half time and had some problems with our defence so I decided to change things round. I was expecting more of a long ball game from Krabi in the second half and Nene Bi is good in the air so I moved him back to centre half.'
While Songsamsub's first half tactics may not have convinced, his second half substitution surely changed the course of the game, 'Chakrit is a real striker. He is not good in the build up but his shooting is very good and I wanted to win the game,' he said.
Chakrit's late winner kept up FC Phuket's record of winning every single game at the Surakul Stadium this season. Songsamsub is in little doubt as to why the team's home form is so much better than their away form,
'The fans make a big difference to the players. I think that is why we are so good at home.'
FC Phuket travel to Hat Yai on May 2nd and the next home game is against Surat Thani on May 8th.
No comments:
Post a Comment