The team displayed composure in possession, creativity with the ball and a renewed fighting spirit. However, there is still room for improvement, as their decision-making often lets them down and creates unnecessary trouble.
Despite the overall improvement, PAFC started sluggishly, allowing Pattani to exploit their right flank with ease. Left-back Preuk was repeatedly caught out of position and had to be bailed out by his teammates on several occasions. While the young full-back is undoubtedly skilled, his positional awareness remains a weakness.
Pattani were unlucky to have a goal from a corner ruled out for pushing in the 6th minute, which seemed seemed to awaken the home side.
PAFC looked far more comfortable with Petch dropping deeper into a midfield three, rather than his usual number ten role. This tactical tweak allowed midfielder Min to push forward and dictate play from the centre of the park. This, combined with the relentless energy of winger Bebe, caused Pattani constant problems.
In the 13tth minute, a long ball from centre-back Mark found Bank, who calmly slotted home to open the scoring. PAFC should have put the game to bed in the following minutes, but Bank, Bebe, and Min all spurned clear-cut chances.
Against the run of play, a poor clearance from Preuk allowed Pattani to equalise. A cross from the right found forward Romario, who headed home expertly.
However, unlike in recent weeks, PAFC didn’t crumble. They continued to press for the lead and nearly regained it in the 20th minute when Bebe broke clear but couldn’t stay on his feet.
As the half-hour mark approached, the pace of the game slowed under the afternoon sun. Preuk was substituted for Ohm in the 25th minute, bringing much-needed stability to PAFC’s left flank. Ohm combined well with Torky on numerous occasions, but the team’s final ball was often lacking. They needed to get the ball into the box quicker.
After a flurry of missed opportunities, Phuket finally retook the lead in the 49tth minute. Torky drove to the byline and crossed for Bebe to tap in, securing a deserved advantage going into the break.
The second half, as is often the case, was a scrappy affair, punctuated by frequent injuries, mostly to PAFC players, frustrating both the Pattani players and fans.
Both sides had chances, but PAFC looked solid, especially after the introduction of experienced midfielder Not to further bolster the midfield.
Unfortunately, the game descended into ill-discipline and bad feeling. Bebe was punched in the face by Pattani’s Nasree in full view of the linesman, who inexplicably failed to react. An incensed Bebe confronted Nasree, leading to a melee that resulted in both players being sent off.
PAFC could have extended their lead late on, but Game missed a clear-cut chance. At the final whistle, tempers flared again, and fans were held back in the stands for over 20 minutes while police struggled to separate the brawling players. It was a sad end to a match that should have been celebrated as a much-needed win after a turbulent week for the club. However, as one supporter said to me as he left the ground, “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The result leaves PAFC 9th in the 12-team table following 3 losses, 1 draw and 1 win from their opening five games.
PAFC Formation: 4-2-3-1; line up:
99 - ‘Bee’ Anawin (GK)
66 - ‘Keng’ Patapee
4 - ‘Bass’ Akkharadech
3 - ‘Mark’ Rungsak
26 - ‘Preuk’ Kitipat
27 - ‘Min’ Kittinan
41 - ‘Kla’ Patapee
11 - ‘Torky’Abdelrahman
77 - ‘Bebe’ Coulibary (Goal 49”)
8 - ‘Petch’ Chinnatan
9 - ‘Bank’ Sarod (Goal 13”)
Substitutes:
46 - ‘Pang’ Mumadirfan
6 - ‘Not’ Kanin (On for 27 46”)
7 - ‘Rahman’ Abdelrahman
17 - ‘Game’ Satawat (On for 11 70”)
21 - ‘Ball’ Muhammad
18 - ‘Prem’ Saekoy (On for 8 85”)
25 - ‘Chao Pan’Kwanchai
79 - ‘Ohm’ Athagorn (On for 26 25”)
29 - ‘Pong’ Pokpong
41 - ‘Phum’’ Sathaporn (On for 9 85”)
47 – Wuttichai
Man of the Match: Bebe Coulibaly. The diminutive Ivorian winger was a force of nature despite being the shortest player on the pitch. Coulibaly won every aerial duel he contested, covered every blade of grass on both wings and relentlessly harassed the Pattani defence. He took his goal with aplomb and was unfortunate to be sent off after reacting to being punched in the face by an opponent. A truly dominant performance.
PAFC’s next match is away at Muangtrang United on Sunday (Oct 20) with a 5pm kick-off.