Muang Thong hit back
Buriram 2 ahead after away win over Pattaya
A last-gasp goal by Peerapat Notechaiya gave defending champions SCG Muang Thong United a 2-1 victory over Police Tero last night and helped them stay within striking distance of Thai League 1 leaders Buriram United.
Buriram United did enough on Saturday night to register a 2-0 away win at Pattaya United and assure themselves another week at the top of the table.
The Thunder Castle’s total improved to 43 points —two a head of Muang Thong United and four more than Chiang Rai United, who whitewashed Ratchaburi 4-0 on Saturday night to carry their tally to 39 points.
Leandro Assumpcao gave Muang Thong the lead in the 24th minute, but things were level again within a couple of minutes as Police Tero scored through defender Weerawut Kayem.
The Kirins’ effort to net the winner were in vain until the 89th minute when a clever through ball from Herberty Fernandes left Peerapat one-on-one with the charging Police Tero goalkeeper and the national team left-back had little trouble in finding the net.
Earlier on Saturday night, Buriram were below par in the first half at Nong Prue Stadium with their South Korean midfielder Go Seul-Ki shooting the ball over the bar and Diogo Luis Santo failing to beat Pattaya United goalkeeper Patiwat Kummai from close range.
The visitors put on an improved show after the break when Jakkraphan Kaewprom replaced Bodin Phala.
The first goal for the four-time former champions came in the 62nd minute when Jakkraphan and Jakson Coelho combined to set up Diogo.
Ten minutes later, a mistake by Pattaya let Jakson set off on a solo dash to score from within a few yards and put the match firmly in Buriram’s grasp.
The game turned rough towards the end and Pattaya’s Peeradon Chumratsamee was sent off for fouling Go 10 minutes from time.
Buriram United coach Bozidar Bandovic said: “We did not play well in the first half, but came back in a solid way in the second. We are happy because it was a great team effort.”
Pattaya United coach Surapong Kongthep said: “Every player followed the plan, but there were moments when we lost concentration and paid the price. You are bound to get punished for such lapses against a team like Buriram.”
Meanwhile, Nakhon Ratchasima pulled off a big upset on Saturday night, when they defeated fifth-place Chonburi 5-2 at their home ground.
Also on Saturday night, Ubon UMT United settled for one point after a 2-2 draw with Suphanburi, while the match between Si Sa Ket and Bangkok Glass ended in a goalless tie.