Gian Chansrichawla
Football Tribe SEA Editor
Chiangrai United take to the field in their match today against PTT Rayong in third place, after both of their title rivals Buriram United and Port FC managed to collect all three points in their games against Nakhon Ratchasima and Chainat respectively.
Port kicked off in Wednesday’s earlier match, facing a Chainat side that desperately needed points to give themselves a fighting chance of survival in the top division.
The Hornbills played bravely at the PAT Stadium, taking on a larger share of possession than most would have expected in the first half. Dennis Amato’s men almost made it to half time level, but Korean midfielder Go Seul-ki took advantage of a defensive lapse to arrive in the box with a powerful header from point-blank range to give his side the lead.
With the visitors deflated, Port had a much easier time adding to their lead. They first doubled it nine minutes after the break when Sergio Suarez picked out Josimar at the back post with a first time ball. The Brazilian whipped his effort back across the face of goal to score his third in his last two games.
It took until stoppage time for Port to add to their lead again, as both Sergio Suarez and Sumanya Purisai got on the scoresheet to round off an emphatic 4-0 win.
During the game, Port managed to occupy top spot in the Thai League for just over half an hour, before Buriram United hit their stride against local rivals away against local rivals Nakhon Ratchasima.
Consistently among the highest in terms of average attendance, the Korat fans went above in beyond for a game of monumental importance. 23,000 Swatcat fans turned up hoping to see their club both confirm their place in the division next season and potentially spoil their neighbor’s title hopes.
However, those 23,000 supporters packed into the 80th Birthday Stadium were left disappointed as Buriram striker Rasmus Jonsson unleashed an incredible volley from outside the box in the 19th minute; a goal which is surely be considered as one of the best scored this season.
The defending champions then doubled their lead six minutes later, when a speculative free-kick from Kevin Ingreso from improbable range was parried back into play by Korat goalkeeper Samuel Cunningham. Buriram’s Rattanakorn Maikami was the quickest to react and had no problem finding the net from point-blank range.
Korat forced themselves back into the game when a comedy of errors allowed Bernard Henry to set up Yayar Kunath for a goal just after the half-hour mark. However, the Swatcats were unable to complete the comeback as Buriram’s Supachok once again stepped up when needed most. Picking up the ball on the left of the box, the young attacker had no problem getting the better of three Korat defenders before striking the ball on the half-turn with an effort that bounced off the crossbar and into the goal.
With both sides in the race getting favorable results, the pressure is back on Chiangrai to keep pace with the top two. Port and Buriram also play each other in the penultimate game of the season, giving the Beetles a massive chance if they push themselves over the line later today.
Their opponents, PTT Rayong, slumped to a 3-0 defeat against Chonburi on Sunday. The side’s defense was nothing short of a calamity, as they allowed striker Herlison Caion seemingly unlimited space to wreack havoc. Chiangrai’s forwards will be hoping for a similarly disorganized side to turn up to the PTT Stadium tonight.
While form and pure quality suggest Chiangrai should come away with three points, it may all just depend on how Chiangrai’s players deal with the pressure in their fight for a first-ever league title.