The mid-season break from the end of the last match in November has been eventful, with the wage bill largely remaining unpaid, the club actively seeking a new owner and many players coming and going. However, the biggest change was the relocation for the rest of the season to the Provincial Stadium in Phang Nga, which is approximately 80-kilometres from the island. Despite all the changes, PAFC seem to have not developed any new ideas on the pitch as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against PT Satun on Saturday (Jan 18).
Coach Tum cut a dejected figure on the touchline for most of this match, unable to get his message across to many of the players. Throughout the game, the Lobsters controlled possession but looked unsure what to do with it. While in the first leg this could be brushed off due to not having his own players or time to work with the squad, he has now had almost two months uninterrupted working with the current squad. Eight new players were in the matchday squad, many of whom have been recruited on the coach’s recommendation, yet the same issues evident in the first leg seem to persist.
The team lined up in a new 3-4-3 formation, a change from the 3-5-2 they ended with last season and the formation they had been training in for most of the break. New Swedish striker David Danielsson lined up on the left flank, with three other new Thai signings: Theerapat on the left wing, and Anucha and Puttipong as the two wing-backs.
The game, played against a striking mountainous backdrop, started with PAFC looking unsure and much more like the visiting side. Satun looked the more dangerous, pressing well, while PAFC sat too deep and gave the visitors too much time on the ball.
Slowly, as time went on, PAFC grew in confidence, and good work from central midfielder Min and forward Theerapat brought more equity to the game. Telling though was the ease with which the Phuket midfield could be bypassed, with holding midfielder Not constantly being caught out of position due to his evident lack of fitness compared to his teammates and rivals.
David, playing as a right-winger, was being underutilised, with his superior height advantage not being taken advantage of on the flank. Hopefully, in time, his connection with forward Bank will develop, but for this to work he will either need to be played through the centre or closer to Bank. The few chances he had were well taken but blasted wide.
Fitness was again worryingly evident as the half drew to a close, with the pace of the home side play noticeably dropping. Satun were forced into an early change on the 40th minute, bringing on Brazilian striker Natan, who added impetus to the visitors’ attack, leading to a nervous finish for the home team before the break.
The second half started much as the first had finished, with Satun pushing PAFC, who looked worryingly jaded both physically and mentally. The midfield was still being overrun in what was starting to look like a 5-1-4 formation, with unlucky central midfielder Not stuck in the centre, panting up and down the pitch in what looked like an endless bleep test.
In the 55th minute, Satun took the lead when Natan lost David, who was marking him, and headed in from a corner. The home team instantly made two changes, bringing on attacking midfielder Prem and Worawut to try and shore up the centre of the pitch and add impetus to the attack. While this did improve the team’s shape, it did little to increase their momentum in the final third, with forwards Bank and David looking tired and lacking in ideas as the game drew to a close. Prem had a good chance to level the scores in the final minutes of injury time, but his shot was parried away by the Satun keeper, who will surely face sterner tests in the remaining fixtures.
PAFC can be buoyed that there is at least one team worse than them in the league, but complacency needs to be put aside as they are clearly in a relegation battle. Not having been paid in two months is obviously a huge factor in these players’ motivations, as well as uncertainty over the ownership of the club. If the financial issues are not resolved soon, more complaints from players will be filed with FIFA, leading to fines, with the worry of further sanctions and dismissal from the league to follow.
On the pitch, coach Tum needs to try and stop the rot and make more use of his squad. Only making two substitutions in this match is telling of a lack of trust in his squad, with two of the new foreign players, Boham and Pavone, idling on the bench when even a few minutes run-out must have been a better option.
For the approximately 400 fans in attendance, many of whom had made the one-and-a-half-hour journey from Phuket without the club’s support, questions will be asked if they should make the effort again in two weeks when the players don’t seem to be making the same commitment themselves.
The result leaves PAFC standing in 10th place in the 12-team league.
PAFC Formation: 3-4-3
PAFC Line Up:
99 - ‘Bee’ Anawin (GK)
55 - ‘Kla’ Patapee ©
4 - ‘Bass’ Akkharadech
66 - ‘Keng’ Patapee
21 - Anuncha
44 - Puttipong
6 - ‘Not’ Kanin
27 - ‘Min’ Kittinan
88 - Theerapat
10 - David Danielsson
9 - ‘Bank’ Sarod
Substitutes:
2 - Kai Boham
8 - ‘Petch’ Chinnatan
14 - Luke Pavone
17 - ‘Game’ Satawat
18 - ‘Prem’ Saekoy (Sub on for 6, 51”)
26 - ‘Preuk’ Kitipat
28 - Thanagorn (GK)
47 - ‘Wa’ Wuttichai
77 - Worawut (Sub on for 88, 51”)
98 - Thichot
Man of the Match: ‘Min’ Kittinan
In a match like this, it is hard to find a Man of the Match, but Min’s efforts were tireless, and even though often chasing a lost cause, he pursued every opportunity and went into every challenge.
Looking ahead:
PAFC’s next match is away at Nara United ext Saturday (Jan 25).
Simon Causton is the co-Host of ‘A Thai Football Podcast’ and author of ‘The March of the Lobstermen’ A Phuket Andaman FC Blog.