Last Sunday, March 12, Pattaya United made a trip to the M-power stadium to take on Super Power Samut Prakhan FC. After the prestigious and somewhat chastening 3-0 home defeat to Premier League leaders Muang Thong United the previous Wednesday, this was very much back to the grindstone as far as the Dolphins were concerned and it was a game they could not afford to come away from empty handed.
With Super Power in the bottom three of the division with only 1 point gained so far, the Dolphins needed to start well against a side currently lacking in confidence. However this proved not to be the case and tragedy almost struck for Pattaya keeper Somaporn Yos in the 6th minute when in attempting to clear a ball on the edge of his area, he failed to make contact and left the home side with virtually an open goal. Luckily for Yos, defender Tae Yeon Kim was alert to the situation and got back to clear the ball for a corner.
United were unable to save themselves in the 10th minute however when a poor pass from Pattaya right back Suphanan Bureerat resulted in a break down the left hand side of the field. Despite a good save from Jos the ball fell kindly to Anthony Komenan who smashed the ball into the net to put the home side 1-0 up.
Pattaya were looking out of sorts and lacking energy, and as a result the home side appeared far sharper in the midfield areas. Despite playing second fiddle to Super Power for large periods of the opening half, United managed to get back on level terms in the 23rd minute when a long ball fell to Milos Stovanvic whose excellent touch found the left foot of Surachet Ngamtip and his fine low strike nestled in the bottom corner of the net to put the visitors level.
To be on equal terms at half time was certainly a positive for Pattaya and as the Dolphins emerged for the second half two substitutions changed the course of the game. The introduction of Chayawat Srinawong and Supravee Miprathang, plus switching Wellington back into central defence, gave the side greater levels of energy and a more balanced feel.
Pattaya were now a totally different side, looking far sharper than in the opening 45 minutes and the energy of the team was epitomized by the willingness of both full backs, Suphanan and Supravee, to continuously support the attacking play. It came as no surprise in the 72nd minute when a wonderfully delivered in-swinging corner from Chaiyawat Buran glanced off the forehead of Milos Stovanovic to give Pattaya a 2-1 lead.
Despite Super Power’s best efforts Pattaya continued to control proceedings and in the second minute of injury time the game was put beyond the reach of the home side when once again good work from Burin put Peeradol Chamratsamee in sight of goal 25 yards out. Not needing a second invitation the midfield maestro curled a fine strike beyond the reach of the keeper to give Pattaya an important 3-1 victory.
This result now leaves Pattaya 12th in the table and without another league game until a home fixture against Sisaket FC on the 3rd April. The players and coaching staff should be proud of themselves after their first block of 6 matches, and to come away with 2 wins and a draw from this tough schedule is a fine achievement.
