United draw a blank against 10-man Air Force

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Despite seeing their opponents reduced to 10 men for the final 20 minutes of the game, Pattaya United were unable to capitalize on their numerical advantage to snatch a victory in their most recent Thai Division 1 fixture against a doggedly determined Air Force Central team at the Nongprue Stadium on Wednesday, March 11.

United’s Serbian striker Nikola Komazec came the closest to opening the scoring in a dour first half but he saw his shot well stopped by Air Force keeper Kerdpol.  Komazec was again denied by the fingertips of Kerpol soon after the break as the Serbian’s low drive was brilliantly turned past the post by the on-loan goalkeeper.

Pattaya United’s Nikola Komazec fires in a shot against Air Force Central FC at the Nongprue Stadium in Pattaya, Wednesday, March 11.Pattaya United’s Nikola Komazec fires in a shot against Air Force Central FC at the Nongprue Stadium in Pattaya, Wednesday, March 11.

In the 69th minute, Air Force’s fullback Inpan was assessed to have deliberately handled the ball, and having already been booked in the first half he was promptly given his marching orders by the referee.  From the resulting free-kick, Komazec fired in fierce left foot that beat Kerpol all ends up but struck the angle of post and crossbar and rebounded out to safety.  It was to be the closest United would get to breaking the deadlock as the visitors hung on for a well-deserved point.

Pattaya United’s next match is on Saturday, April 4, away at Phuket FC.  Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

In the Thai Premier League, Chonburi and Buriram fought out a competitive 1-1 draw at the New i-Mobile Stadium in Buriram on Wednesday, March 11.  Midfielder Prakit Deeprom opened the scoring for the hosts in the 66th minute but the lead was cancelled out with just 5 minutes to go as Korea’s Go Seul-ki inadvertently turned the ball into his own net to give Chonburi a share of the points.

Chonburi FC’s next fixture is on Sunday, April 5, at home against Korat.  Kick-off at 6 p.m.