There were glimmers of hope in the first 45 minutes of yesterday’s (Sept 21) match for Phuket Andaman FC ( PAFC) at PT Satun, but a 2-0 loss highlights that the project has a long way to run and the new owners are just coming to a realisation of the scale of the task ahead.
Satun FC finished 4th last season and will be amongst the promotion hopefuls again this season. They play an aggressive, direct style of football with three at the back. The pitch was far better than the quagmire on display at the Surukul last week, but was still sodden underfoot.
For the first half, PAFC were the better side, and when they played high up the pitch and pressed, they scared Satun, affectionately known by their nickname of ‘The Ultimate Exorcists’, who were forced into careless errors and looked rattled.
Last week’s loss to FC Yala, where the home pitch did not allow the team to play, did not deter PAFC from playing the game that the new regime is clearly setting the team out to play: ball on the ground, fast tempo, pressing football.
With better finishing, the visitors could and should have led 2-0 ahead within 30 minutes. Time and again, Ball and Torky won possession on the flanks and strode forward. Bebe, who was preferred up front to Bank, showed energy on a night where you weren’t sure if he was facing a defence or an MMA opponent in the penalty box; his pressing was admirable and his link-up play with Torky on the right, with support from Game, was good to see.
Sadly, however, after 40 minutes the Lobsters tired and their inferior fitness was evident. Rather than pressing, they sat back and were positionally naive. Satun switched from a three at the back and pushed an extra man forward into midfield. The crowd sensed the game-changing move and responded to push their team forward.
After the break, Satun capitalised on the momentum they had gained and pushed forward as PAFC started dropping back and drifting out of position. They were still holding their own, however, and it took a mistake from goalkeeper Bee for Satun’s Kittiphong to round him and score whilst he was caught outside of his area.
PAFC looked shaken and lost their shape further, with tired legs showing. Still, chances came, but time and time again, there was no support for Bank, who had come on to replace the ineffective Petch.
In the 75th minute, the game should have changed as Bebe was blatantly punched in the face by the Satun keeper in the penalty area. The referee somehow missed the incident - a surprisingly frequent occurrence in Thai football. A red card and a penalty would have changed the fabric of the game, but it was not to be.
Shortly after, Satun took advantage of another defensive error to double their lead through Wathit before the game then petered out as the home side dominated the closing, high-tempered minutes.
PAFC shouldn’t be totally disheartened by their display – after all, the team that visited Satun in the corresponding fixture last year lost 5-1. This team are a far different proposition with their style of play and on their day they will give any team in the division a game.
However, there is still a long way to go. Their fitness needs to be improved, especially if they are to maintain a press for the length of the game. Tactical naiveties need to be ironed out and a solid spine needs to be set in place. Two losses are never ideal, but they would be ill-advised not to panic. This is Thailand, and projects take time.
PAFC formation: 4-2-3-1
PAFC Line Up:
99: ‘Bee’ Anawin (Goalkeeper)
17: ‘Game’ Satawat
4: ‘Bass’ Akkharadech
3: ‘Mark’ Rungsak
79: ‘Ohm’ Athagorn
27: ‘Min’ Kittinan
55: ‘Kla’ Patapee (captain)
8: ‘Petch’ Chinnatan
11: ‘Torky’Abdelrahman
21: ‘Ball’ Muhammad
77: ‘Bebe’ Coulibary
Substitutes:
46: ‘Pang’ Mumadirfan (Goalkeeper)
6: ‘Not’ Kanin
7: ‘Rahman’ Abdelrahman (81)
9: ‘Bank’ Sarod (56)
18: ‘Prem’ Saekoy
25: ‘Chao Pan’Kwanchai
26: ‘Preuk’ Kitipat (81)
29: ‘Pong’ Pokpong (81)
41: ‘Phum’’ Sathaporn
66: ‘Keng’ Patapee (67)
Yesterday’s result now means PAFC have lost their first two games of the season and sit in 12th place in the table.
Their next match is next Sunday (Sept 29) against Nara United FC at home, kick-off 3:30pm.