The feeling of disarray was felt both on and off the pitch as the usual ticket booths stood empty, leaving the 150-strong crowd to freely take their seats. This laissez-faire approach continued until the 20th minute of the game when staff finally emerged, weaving through the stands to collect entrance fees.
Adding to the confusion, the home side took to the pitch sporting their maroon away kit – a curious decision, perhaps an attempt to shake off their recent string of poor results, the reasoning behind which remains unclear.
If a change in fortune was the aim, the tactic sadly backfired. Ranong United, nicknamed the Sharks, began brightly, their new 3-5-2 formation allowing them to exploit PAFC’s left flank repeatedly through the efforts of Ohm. However, his advances were consistently thwarted by an inability to deliver effective crosses with his left foot, forcing him to cut inside onto his stronger right.
Despite this, both Ohm and striker Bank carved out early chances in the opening minutes and PAFC took the lead in the 8th minute. A free kick from the right wing, taken by Game, was played deep toward the far post. The ball was then headed back across the face of the goal by Mark, finding its way into the net at the left post. The goal was shrouded in controversy, with strong suspicions of both offside and handball, but the referee remained unmoved.
Maybe fate, or more likely simply lax defending, led to Ranong equalising just two minutes later. Their number 17 was found unmarked at the near post and calmly slotted the ball home, restoring parity to the contest.
Under the intense afternoon sun, the pace of the game slowed considerably, losing much of its initial momentum. PAFC, while posing the greater threat, were wasteful in their attacking play.
Despite creating danger on both wings through Ohm and Game, neither player seemed capable of delivering the final ball with the necessary precision.
The midfield, once again, appeared anonymous. While shifting Captain Kla into defence proved a masterstroke – his range of passing and composure allowing him to dictate play from the back – the midfield lacked a player who could effectively link the defence with the attack. The more advanced midfielders, Wa and Petch, were operating too deep, failing to provide support to the forwards. This meant that when crosses did reach the box, PAFC lacked the necessary presence to convert their chances.
The second half mirrored the first, with PAFC largely reliant on free kicks to create opportunities. However, a growing tendency to overhit these set pieces meant that vital chances were squandered.
Ranong, meanwhile, grew in confidence, pressing PAFC higher up the pitch and disrupting their midfield. One such instance in the 55th minute led to a Ranong break. Caught off guard, the PAFC defence was forced into a clumsy challenge, conceding a penalty that the Sharks duly converted.
As has become an unwelcome pattern, the game then petered out. PAFC launched wave after wave of ineffective attacks, while the visitors defended resolutely. The strike partnership of Bank and Bebe showed promise, but their roles require further refinement. Too often, Bank drifted out to the right, leaving the diminutive Bebe isolated in the box.
Yesterday’s loss left PAFC in 11th place in the 12 team league. A significant improvement is needed in the next week. There are positives to take away; the passing and build-up play is easy on the eye, but it needs to translate into goals. Otherwise, it won’t just be the Ranong Sharks feasting on PAFC’s failings.
Man of the Match:
3 - ‘Mark’ Rungsak. The central defender, as he has demonstrated throughout the season, is PAFC’s best player and, at times, their biggest goal threat. He was perhaps fortunate that his goal was allowed to stand, but without him, the club would be in a far worse position (hard to imagine currently).
Formation: 3-5-2
PAFC Line Up:
99 - ‘Bee’ Anawin (GK)
55 - ‘Kla’ Patapee
4 - ‘Bass’ Akkharadech
3 - ‘Mark’ Rungsak (Goal 8”)
79 - ‘Ohm’ Athagorn
17 - ‘Game’ Satawat
27 - ‘Min’ Kittinan
47 - ‘Wa’ Wuttichai
8 - ‘Petch’ Chinnatan
77 - ‘Bebe’ Coulibary
9 - ‘Bank’ Sarod
Substitutes:
46 - ‘Pang’ Mumadirfan
7 - ‘Rahman’ Abdelrahman (sub for 8, 70”)
26 - ‘Preuk’ Kitipat
6 - ‘Not’ Kanin
21 - ‘Ball’ Muhammad
18 - ‘Prem’ Saekoy
29 - ‘Pong’ Pokpong (sub for 79, 90”)
25 - ‘Chao Pan’Kwanchai
11 - ‘Torky’Abdelrahman (sub for 9, 80”)
41 - ‘Phum’ Sathaporn
Looking Ahead:
PAFC are on the road for the final game of the first leg and the year, with a trip to Surat Thani next Sunday (Nov 24, kick-off 3:30pm). What initially appeared a straightforward fixture is now a must-win game. Anything less will likely leave the club languishing in 12th place going into the break, hampering their ability to bring in much-needed reinforcements.