What’s going wrong at Port FC? They haven’t won in four games and are lagging behind in third place. Ratchaburi FC, on the other hand, are unbeaten in four, with their last defeat coming against Buriram United in late November.
This game had it all and Port will be the happier side after a tumultuous encounter at the PAT Stadium. VAR reared its ugly head again, with decisions in this match taking an additional 16 minutes to review. While we all support the use of technology, it becomes superfluous when it disrupts the flow of the game and, as in this case, still results in inconclusive decisions.
The visitors dominated from the off and were unfortunate to have a goal disallowed when Jakkapan’s header was ruled out for offside (delay 1).
The Dragons of Ratchaburi eventually took the lead through a powerful header at the near post from centre-back Gabriel (delay 2). Port seemed unable to cope with Ratchaburi, who were content to force them out wide, confident in their ability to deal with any threat. Port looked particularly vulnerable down their left flank, as evidenced when Curran won back possession in the 44th minute and released Tanaka to double the visitors’ lead.
Ratchaburi, seemingly with their minds already on the half-time break, then left too much space for Doumbouya to score just before the whistle, giving Port a lifeline. Curran was fortunate that the goal was given as he could have received a second yellow card in the build-up.
The home team emerged for the second half with renewed purpose, but Ratchaburi struck another blow when Tanaka again found the net with a superb shot after cutting in from the wing.
Shortly after, Port had a goal ruled out for offside (delay 3) in the 65th minute. However, they were not to be denied when, after another VAR check (delay 4), Adisak’s diving header was awarded.
To complete a grandstand finish, Jonathan Khemdee was adjudged to have handled in the area, and new Port signing Mlapa levelled the game from the spot.
For much of the game, Port FC players looked jaded and unfit, suggesting a major reset is needed at the end of the season under a new permanent manager. For Ratchaburi, this season holds a real chance of challenging for a top-four spot and a place in continental competitions next season.
Lamphun Warriors 0-1 Bangkok United
Elsewhere, on Saturday, Lamphun Warriors fell to a 0-1 to Bangkok United in what can only be described as a routine win, leaving Bangkok’s slim hopes of challenging Buriram United at the top of the table alive. Mahmoud Eid scored with a commanding header in the 32nd minute. Lamphun Warriors will be looking over their shoulders with worries of being dragged into a relegation battle still very real.
Nakhon Ratchasima 3-3 Rayong
The second 3-3 draw of the weekend saw the Swat Cats of Nakhon Ratchasima pegged back by Rayong after going 3-1 ahead. Dennis Murillo gave the home side the lead before Rayong equalised from the penalty spot through Junior in the 38th minute. Goals from Greg and Siam Yapp stretched the home side’s lead in the 58th and 70th minutes respectively. Junior pulled another one back for Rayong in the 77th minute before Bruno broke the home fans’ hearts with an 86th minute equaliser.
Muangthong United 2-1 Nongbua Pitchaya
Muangthong United made hard work of this win but remain in fourth place with a game in hand. They took the lead through a marvellous strike by Philippines star John Patrick Strauß in the 24th minute. Jakkrawut equalised for Police Tero in the 66th minute, but Uzbek defender Otakhonov snatched the win for Muangthong in the 88th minute, celebrating as if he’d won the league!
Uthai Thani 3-0 Sukothai
Uthai Thani secured their first win in six matches on Sunday, lifting them out of the relegation zone and severely denting Sukhothai’s push up the table. Ricardo Santos bagged a brace with Denis Derbellay adding the other.
Prachuap 2-0 Chiang Rai United
Chiang Rai United failed to capitalise on their result against Port FC last week, and this defeat saw them drop back into the bottom three. Jesper Nyholm gave the home team, Prachuap, the lead in the first half, with Chrigor doubling their advantage in the closing stages.
Nakhon Pathom 1-4 Buriram United
For 37 minutes, Nakhon Pathom, and every neutral fan in Thailand, dared to dream that this might be the upset the title race needed. Sunchai scored a beautiful goal in the 24th minute, but those dreams came crashing down in the 38th minute when Boayke equalised for Buriram. Further goals from Suphanat and Causic mean that the nightmare of relegation is edging closer to reality for Nakhon Pathom.
BG Pathum United 4-1 Khon Kaen United
BG Pathum, fresh off announcing the appointment of former USMNT coach Anthony Hudson (son of Chelsea legend Alan Hudson) as their new manager, carried out an impressive demolition of bottom club Khon Kaen United. Thai internationals Gustavsson, Surachart, Chanatip and Chatchai scored for the Rabbits, with Tinnakorn grabbing a consolation goal for United, who are rooted to the bottom of the table.
This week’s other talking points:
Samut Prakhan City Dissolved. Last Tuesday (Jan 21) the long-awaited announcement that Samut Prakhan City was to be dissolved and removed from Thai League 2 happened. The club which has had long-running financial issues has reportedly not paid players and staff for five months. The club has been removed from the league table and all points for and against them have been removed. The league will now only relegate two teams at the end of the season.
New exciting young players pledge their future to Thailand
Thailand U17 General Manager Anucha Nakasai & Head Coach Jaded Meelarp have confirmed the inclusion of two talented half-Thai players for the upcoming AFC U17 Championship in Saudi Arabia this year:
Silva Mexes - Age: 14 - Position: Forward/Left Forward - Club: Manchester United. Silva is the son of former Wales striker Robert Earnshaw and is highly thought of in the United academy.
Kai Laws - Age: 15 - Position: RB/CB - Club: Nottingham Forest.
Simon Causton is the host of ‘A Thai Football Podcast’ and writer of the ’Tee-Sen" (ที่เส้น) - At the line’ blog which covers all things Thai football.