Bangkok Utd left at risk of losing top spot
Chainat out of red zone after Sukhothai win
>> Lithuania midfielder Nerijus Valskis made an impressive scoring debut for Ratchaburi Mitr Phol in a 1-1 draw last night that left Bangkok United’s top ranking in Thai League 1 at the mercy of defending champions Buriram United.
Although the home draw extended Bangkok United’s edge to two points, it has left Buriram in firm control of their own destiny.
The reigning champions, who relinquished their stranglehold of the top spot last weekend, travel to fifthplace PT Prachuap tonight.
Prachuap have not lost a single game at home since joining the top flight for the first time this year, but Buriram would be going all out for a win to pounce on the opportunity and recapture the top spot in the league.
Ratchaburi’s spending spree during the mid-season break looks likely to pay off as the 30-year-old Valskis, who has earned 14 caps for Lithuania and also represented his country’s youth squad, looked good in his first Thai League 1 game.
And had it not been for Valskis’ lastminute goal in the first half, Bangkok United would have been assured of their second straight week at the top.
Valskis’ effort cancelled out an earlier Bangkok United goal netted from close range by former Thailand striker Teeratep Winothai at the halfhour mark.
The home team had a few scoring opportunities in the second half but they failed to net the winner with Sumanya Purisay coming the closest with a free-kick that missed the target by a whisker.
The draw ended Bangkok United’s awesome 11-match winning streak.
Meanwhile, Chainat broke three points away from a three-team tie at the top edge of the relegation zone with a big 4-2 victory over Sukhothai.
The third straight loss suffered by Sukhothai, one of the early pacesetters this season, means that they stay put in the five-team drop zone.
Sukhothai scored first through Kongnateechai Boonma but their advantage barely lasted a minute as Doumbia Henri grabbed the equaliser for the home team and a highly entertaining 30-minute show ensued.
Tanat Chantaya and Laksana Kamruen scored one each to extend Chainat’s lead to 3-1 before Doumbia picked up his second goal of the night to further widen the gap.
Nelson Bonilla reduced the arrears with a goal but by then the game had already been pushed beyond Sukhothai’s reach.
In a clash of the two bottom-placed sides last night, Ubon UMT United got the better of Air Force Central 2-0 in an away game.
Somsak Musikaphan, on loan from Ratchaburi, netted both goals, striking on either side of the break for the visitors.
Four matches are scheduled to be played this evening.