Three wins in as many games and 12 points from the last 18 have seen Pattaya United rise almost like a Phoenix from the flames and give themselves a fighting chance of avoiding the drop this season.
With Sisaket FC now officially consigned to second tier football following the team’s well-documented off-field legal problems, there remains just one relegation spot still to be decided, with up to six or seven teams now battling for Premier League survival.
Pattaya United’s Kriangkhai Pimrat (right) takes a shot on goal during their Thai Premier League fixture against BEC Tero Sasana at the Nongprue Stadium in Pattaya, Saturday, Sept. 7. (Photo courtesy Pattaya United FC).
United’s latest victory came last Saturday against BEC Tero Sasana at the Nongprue Stadium in Pattaya. The Dolphins had to wait until 10 minutes into the second half to make the breakthrough; Pimrat feeding the ball into the area for Dyachenko to run onto and provide a fine finish to give the hosts a valuable and deserved lead.
United’s advantage would last less than 10 minutes however as their opponents pushed forward from the restart and Brazilian striker Lucas Gaucho was given too much room by the United defence as he converted with a fine left foot strike after United keeper Kang Bon-jun had done well to save his initial effort.
Once again United left it until the dying seconds to secure the win, and this time the hero was Nigerian forward Ajoku Obinna. United won a free-kick in the final minute of normal time out on the right touchline and when the ball was lofted into the BEC area, the visiting defenders made a hash of clearing it and Obinna pounced to fire a low shot into the bottom corner of the net and send the home fans into raptures.
Joyous Pattaya United fans celebrate after the victory over BEC Tero Sasana, Saturday, Sept. 7. (Photo courtesy Pattaya United FC).
United have now pulled six points clear of the relegation spot, a place currently filled by Chiangrai United, but with the two teams below Pattaya having a couple of games in hand, the Dolphins need to continue their current winning form for the remaining eight games of the season.
United’s next match is this coming Saturday, Sept. 14, away at Bangkok Glass. Kick off for the match is scheduled for 6 p.m.
At the top of the table, Buriram have pulled out to a five point advantage over Muang Thong United after the latter could only manage a 1-1 draw last weekend at home against Chonburi FC. Buriram meanwhile consolidated their lead at the top with a 3-2 away win at Chainat.
| Thai Premier League Standings (Sept. 8) | ||||||
| Team | P | W | D | L | +/- | Pts. |
| Buriram United | 25 | 18 | 7 | 0 | 39 | 61 |
| Muang Thong United | 25 | 17 | 5 | 3 | 22 | 56 |
| Chonburi | 26 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 15 | 50 |
| Suphanburi | 26 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 42 |
| Bangkok Glass | 26 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 40 |
| Army United | 25 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 39 |
| BEC Tero Sasana | 25 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 38 |
| Osotspa | 25 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 34 |
| Police United | 25 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 33 |
| Chainat | 25 | 7 | 7 | 11 | -2 | 28 |
| Songkhla United | 25 | 6 | 9 | 10 | -11 | 27 |
| Bangkok United | 26 | 7 | 6 | 13 | -16 | 27 |
| TOT | 26 | 6 | 7 | 13 | -21 | 25 |
| Ratchaburi | 26 | 5 | 9 | 12 | -6 | 24 |
| Pattaya United | 26 | 7 | 1 | 18 | -22 | 22 |
| Samut Songkhram | 24 | 4 | 8 | 12 | -15 | 20 |
| Chiangrai United | 24 | 2 | 10 | 12 | -16 | 16 |
| Sisaket | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Results: Ratchaburi 0 – 0 Army United, Pattaya United 2 – 1 BEC Tero Sasana, Bangkok United 0 – 0 Osotspa, Muang Thong United 1 – 1 Chonburi, TOT 0 – 0 Samut Songkhram, Suphanburi 2 – 5 Police United, Bangkok Glass 2 – 0 Chiangrai United, Chainat 2 – 3 Buriram United | ||||||
