Gian Chansrichawla
Football Tribe SEA Editor
Thai League leaders Port FC arguably announced themselves as genuine title contenders with a remarkable 3-2 victory over Suphanburi on Saturday. Despite missing key players such as Nitipong Selanon, David Rochela, Go Seul-Ki and Pakorn Prempak, the Klongtoei outfit’s comeback secured their 6th win from their opening 9 games in front of a packed at the PAT Stadium.
Jonathan Reis opened the scoring for the visitors, and fellow Brazilian Cleiton Silva came close to doubling the lead before half time, with his attempt catching goalkeeper Watchara Buathong off guard and skidding past the far post.
Bodin Phala managed to level the game just after the restart with a towering header which looped over Suphanburi keeper Sinthaweechai and into the back of the net. However, against the run of play, the visitors regained the lead as Cleiton Silva managed to hit score after Port’s keeper parried it into the Brazilian maestro’s path.
However, there was a sense of inevitability at the PAT Stadium that the hosts would find a way back. The equalizer finally came with just 15 minutes left on the clock, as Bodin managed his third goal in two games by hitting another past Sinthaweechai to raise the decibel level in Klongtoei.
The Lions finally hit their winner in the 87th minute, as Dragan Boskovic broke past the exposed Suphanburi defense on the counter-attack. The Montenegrin striker made no mistake, curling the ball into the far side of the net to evade the onrushing keeper.
Winning amid such dramatic circumstances, with a number of absentees, has allowed Port fans to start dreaming of a title charge. The side now leads the pack almost a third of the way into the season.
Elsewhere, Samut Prakan City continued to impress, picking up a 1-0 win over an in-form Chainat side at home. The visitors came into this game on the back of two impressive victories over Muangthong United and Bangkok United, two of the biggest spending clubs in the country.
The hosts had a decent run of their own to protect, after managing draws against Trat FC and Chiangrai United on the road. Back on their own patch, Samut Prakan City managed to pick up all three points in a tight fought 1-0 victory, thanks to a goal from newly capped Thai international Picha Autra.
The victory saw the side climb up to fourth in the league, vastly exceeding their pre-season expectations.