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
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