Port’s title tilt suffers a massive blow
Leaders Buriram manage draw at Suphanburi as Glass Rabbits hammer Police again
>> As leaders Buriram United left Suphanburi with a point in their pocket, Port’s charge for this year’s Thai League 1 title started showing definite signs of running out of steam with they suffering a second drubbing in a row last night.
Buriram found Suphanburi’s solid defensive wall impenetrable many times and looked relieved to have managed a 1-1 draw.
Edgar Bruno put the defending champions ahead with a header late in the first half, but Suphanburi equalised five minutes after the break when Romulo Pinto scored.
Port, who suffered a shock 4-2 defeat to relegation-threatened Police Tero a week ago, were in for another hammering at their home ground last night, losing 3-0 to Bangkok United.
Everton Concalves and Robson Fernandes scored in the first half for Bangkok United and a long range shot by Sumanya Purisay produced the third goal in the 62nd minute.
Port dropped to fourth place in the table, seven points adrift of Buriram’s total of 23.
Meanwhile, hosts Chiang Rai United picked up three points with a hardfought 1-0 victory over Pattaya United, who were reduced to 10 men for most part of the match.
The winning goal came in the fourth minute by defender Victor Cardozo.
Pattaya’s efforts to get even with the home team were dealt a severe blow when Lee Wong-Young was booked for a second yellow-card offence and sent off shortly before the break.
Police Tero’s resurgence under caretaker coach Rangsan Wiwatchaichok was brought to a grinding halt just after one match last night when they suffered a 4-1 battering away at Bangkok Glass.
While Police remained firmly riveted to the relegation zone, the Glass Rabbits brightened their chances of avoiding the drop by steering two points clear.
Only two minutes into the match, Bangkok Glass surged ahead when Mario Gjurovski found the net and Federic Mendy doubled the margin with a fine strike shortly after the break.
Bangkok Glass, who have not lost a league match to Police Tero in two years, had their third goal through Thitiphan Puangjan.
Police Tero got off the mark when Michael N’Dri hit the target midway through the second half, but Bangkok Glass struck again in the last minute when Daniel Rodriguez shattered the net.
Four more matches are to be played this evening, with stuttering former champions SCG Muang Thong United hosting Navy.
Both teams are under interim coaches with Santi Chaipuek managing the Kirins and Chumnarn Praekhuntod taking charge of Navy’s dugout in a caretaker capacity.
Also tomorrow, PT Prachuap and Sukhothai — both tied for second spot — go face to face.