Draw leaves Beetles 2 short of Buriram
Title-chasing Chiang Rai United last night fell two points behind Thai League 1 leaders Buriram United as they let PTT Rayong off the hook not once but twice for a 2-2 away draw.
A 3-2 victory for defending champions Buriram at Nakhon Ratchasima on Wednesday night had put Chiang Rai under tremendous pressure.
Chiang Rai were a bit edgy in the first half before Brazilian forward Bill Rosimar settled the Beetles’ nerves with a low left-footed drive that found its way into the net.
A couple of defensive lapses by Chiang Rai defenders gifted Dennis Murillo with the opportunity to score the equaliser for Rayong with an angular header in the 65th minute.
The visitors had the lucky break they had been looking for when an Akarawin Sawasdee header off a corner bounced off the shoulder of a Rayong defender and floated into the goal 15 minutes before time.
But there was more drama in store as Anawin Jujeen made the most of another defensive debacle from close range in the dying moments to make it 2-2 for the hosts.
In another match last night, Trat remained winless in their fourth straight game as their eastern derby battle with Chonburi ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
However, the result was good enough to ensure another season in the top flight for Trat, who now have 35 points, seven more than the three sides languishing in the drop zone with only two games remaining this year.
Former Thailand international Teeratep Winothai was on target for the Sharks in the 23rd minute, but the home team did not give in. Trat were assured of the draw by their prolific strike Adefolarin Durosinmi midway through the second half.
In Wednesday night’s late game, hosts Sukhothai failed to pull themselves out of the relegation zone following a 2-2 draw Ratchaburi at Thung Thalay Luang Stadium.