Neither team truly deserved the three points in this uninspiring match witnessed by a sparse crowd of 320 at Tinsulanonda Stadium, a magnificent new 30,000-capacity venue which recently hosted the King’s Cup which is clearly superior to any other in Thai Divisions One, Two, and Three (except T1’s Buriram United’s Thundercastle).
Sadly, this match did little to suggest Songkhla the team belong at a higher level. Their preference for disrupting play with niggly fouls, exaggerated reactions and diving overshadowed any footballing ability. Their victory merely highlighted PAFC’s shortcomings, despite an immaculate pitch that should have suited their passing style.
PAFC seemed incapable of stringing more than three passes together and the promising form of recent weeks vanished. Winger Torky and captain and holding midfielder Kla were particularly culpable and the former will undoubtedly be concerned about his place for next week’s trip to Krabi.
PAFC started with an enforced change, striker Pong replacing Bank, who had been unavailable all week due to military service.
The first half was a dull affair, with PAFC never finding their rhythm. Only some desperate defending and woeful finishing by Songkhla prevented the home side from taking a commanding lead into the break.
Keeper Bee’s ‘Jazz Hands’
The second half saw striker Bank introduced for the match-rusty Pong. PAFC began with more purpose, right-back Keng and tireless winger Bebe linking well down the right with the newly introduced striker.
In the 56th minute, keeper Bee fumbled a routine save, but the resulting scramble fortunately did not lead to a Songkhla goal. It did, however, prompt Coach Tum into a double substitution, replacing Torky and attacking midfielder Petch with Ball and Prem respectively. Torky, clearly frustrated at being withdrawn, launched a verbal tirade at the coach before storming down the tunnel.
PAFC then sat back and allowed Songkhla too much space, giving them the chance to dictate the tempo. When in possession, PAFC were too slow in their build-up play. A clumsy foul in the 70th minute led to a free-kick on the left, which allowed Brazilian forward Lizaso to give the home side the lead.
PAFC were left chasing the game but manged to create chances, including late substitute Game firing a pass across the face of the goal.
This is a game that PAFC and Coach Tum will want to forget quickly. The project is still in its early stages, but the owners must be considering strengthening the squad in December when the transfer window opens. Having three foreign wide players, the maximum permitted, seems wasteful when a centre-back and central midfielder would significantly improve the team. With both Torky and Bebe’s contracts up for renewal in December, a change seems likely. Alternative goal-scoring options must also be considered, as currently too much reliance is placed on Bank, as evidenced yesterday.
Finally, the Phuket authorities need to address the lack of a suitable stadium for their only league football team. The Tinsulanonda Stadium highlights how inadequate the Surakul is, both in terms of pitch and stadium quality.
Man of the Match: ‘Mark’ Rungsak - In truth, no PAFC player deserved this accolade. However, Mark was the best of a poor bunch. The central defender looked assured on the ball, and one can imagine that if the club acquires another central defender in December, his best position may be in central midfield.
Looking Ahead: Three fixtures remain in the first half of the season, starting with Krabi FC away on Saturday (Nov 9), followed by Ranong United at home the following weekend, and an away trip on Nov 23 to PSU Surat Thani. In their current form, all three are winnable. The club needs to regroup and take nine points to end the first half of the season on a high.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
PAFC Line Up:
99 - ‘Bee’ Anawin (GK)
66 - ‘Keng’ Patapee
4 - ‘Bass’ Akkharadech
3 - ‘Mark’ Rungsak
79 - ‘Ohm’ Athagorn
27 - ‘Min’ Kittinan
55 - ‘Kla’ Patapee
11 - ‘Torky’Abdelrahman
8 - ‘Petch’ Chinnatan
77 - ‘Bebe’ Coulibary
29 - ‘Pong’ Pokpong
Substitutes:
46 - ‘Pang’ Mumadirfan
7 - ‘Rahman’ Abdelrahman (sub for 27 77”)
26 - ‘Preuk’ Kitipat
6 - ‘Not’ Kanin
21 - ‘Ball’ Muhammad (sub for 11 57”)
18 - ‘Prem’ Saekoy (sub for 8 57”)
25 - ‘Chao Pan’Kwanchai
9 - ‘Bank’ Sarod (sub for 29 45”)
17 - ‘Game’ Satawat (sub for 66 77”)
41 - ‘Phum’ Sathaporn
47 - ‘Wa’ Wuttichai
The result leaves PAFC in 9th position in the 12-team table. The next match sees the team travel to Krabi FC on Saturday (Nov 9) with a 4pm kick-off.