Gian Chansrichawla
Football Tribe Thailand
The game began exactly where the previous one had left off, starting in the third minute with a corner kick for the home side.
After fending off the corner, the Swatcats began brightly, using two forwards to press the Port backline while having the remaining players form two lines of four in defense. They also attempted to hound out Port’s creative outlets, limiting the time Go, Siwakorn and Suarez had on the ball.
The visitors almost took a lead in the 16th minute, when striker Chitchanok won a header at the back post. Goalkeeper Worawut Srisupha was at full stretch to keep the shot out, which was going across his goal.
However, it was the hosts who took the lead in the 21st minute, with Martin Steuble slicing across the Swatcat press with a switched pass opposite full-back Nitipong, who was advancing into space. The right-back whipped in an incredible cross from deep, which was met with a powerful header from Josimar to put Port in front.
With a lead to give them confidence, Port’s play continued to pick up pace as the side’s confidence grew. They had their second just six minutes later when Josimar slipped right between Korat center-backs and latched onto the end of Siwakorn’s smart through-pass. From there, the Brazilian forward made no mistake in faking Samuel Cunningham and scoring his second of the match.
The stylish football continued to flow and it was all one-way traffic in Klongtoey. Korat was given a lifeline when Bernard Henry was bought down in the box by Elias Dolah, but the Ivorian failed to convert from the spot. To make matters worse, Kitsada Hemvipat was sent off moments later, receiving a second yellow for a foul on Nitipong.
This paved the way for Sergio Suarez to seal the victory with a third goal in the 81st minute, turning in a rebound inside the box to help his side get within two points of Buriram United and Chiangrai at the top of the table.
Port’s next game will be at home against relegation-battling Chainat Hornbill, while Nakhon Ratchasima faces Buriram, looking to spoil their neighbors’ hopes of defending the title.