Muang Thong Utd 0-1 South China

Once again Phuket football has been a major beneficiary of political turmoil in the countries capital as Muang Thong Utd’s AFC Cup group match with South China was moved to the Surakul Stadium last week.

It is the second year in a row that a major football match has been moved from Bangkok to Phuket . Last January the King’s Cup tournament, featuring Thailand, Denmark, Lebanon and North Korea was switched to the Surakul Stadium at the 11^th hour.

Muang Thong Utd qualified for the Asian Confederations Cup courtesy of winning the Thai league last year. A win against South China would have guaranteed qualification from Grouh G of the Asia Cup to the knock out stages.

South China started the game the stronger side and enjoyed an extended spell of possession. They came close to taking a surprise lead when a free kick from the right touchline eluded everyone in the penalty area and came back off the bar. Captain Li Haiqiang could and probably should have given his side the lead but dragged a shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Muang Thong started to get into the game and were unfortunate not to take the lead when a headed clearance fell at the feet of Pichitphong Choeichiu whose well taken volley clipped the outside of the post.

A few challenges were flying in and these early exchanges were increasingly punctuated by the referee’s whistle.

Then came the turning point of the entire game, a South China defender collapsed after an off the ball altercation with Muang Thong Utd’s talismanic forward Yala (pictured). The assistant referee had an unhindered view of the incident and after a moment’s consultation the referee showed no hesitation in producing a red card.

Despite the dismissal Muang Thong Utd came out strong in the second half and had the better opportunities to score. South China were enjoying more possession but Muang Thong Utd’s swift counter attacking football was proving extremely effective.

The referee did the ‘home’ side a considerable favour by sending off South China’s Brazilian forward Tales Schutz for an extremely innocuous looking challenge. Now playing 10 against 10 Muang Thong Utd sensed the win was within their grasp and captain Wittawin Klorwuttiwat can count himself extremely unfortunate to have seen his header rebound back off the crossbar.

Then disaster struck in the dying minutes. Muang Thong Utd conceded possession deep in the South China half allowing their opponents to break. After good work on the left win the ball fell at the feet of Wong Chin Hung who finished emphatically, placing his shot low into the bottom right hand corner of the Munag Thong Utd goal.

The result leaves South China level on goal difference with Muang Thing Utd who will need to win their final group game, away to Indonesian side Persiwa Wamena to guarantee qualification.

As recently as 2007 Muang Thong Utd were playing in the third tier of Thai football much like FC Phuket are at present. Muang Thong Utd managed to achieve consecutive promotions before winning the Premier League at the first attempt last season. Muang Thong Utd’s rapid rise, which has come with the aid of considerable investment, will give FC Phuket hope that they too can enter the upper echelons of Thai football.