Sukhothai, Suphanburi and Korat Brace for Final Day Drama
Korat’s victory over Chainat would have confirmed their survival one week early, but determined wins for Sukhothai and Suphanburi means that the Swatcats will be looking nervously over their shoulder right up until the day.
The Fire Bats faced an already safe Trat at home and finally ended their unbeaten run at the eighth time of asking. Talisman John Baggio put them in front after just 24 minutes, and the lead was soon doubled by summer signing Irvin Herrera. A 94th-minute goal for Kriangkrai Pimrat had no bearing on the distribution of points, but the win still wasn’t enough to lift them out of the relegation zone, due to Suphanburi’s dramatic late win.
The War Elephants travelled to Samut Prakan City with the intention of collecting all three points, and fell behind after 13 minutes when Ibson Melo latched onto the end of Theerapol Yoryoei’s through-ball and had no issues lobbing his effort over the onrushing goalkeeper.
The visitor’s forced their way back into the game from the penalty spot courtesy of Cleiton Silva, and managed to pull themselves ahead just after the break when Tinnakorn Asurin capitalized on absent-minded defending from a corner-kick.
Suphanburi still weren’t in the clear, however, as Theerapol Yoryoei managed to level the scoring once again just after the hour mark, setting the stage for the most dramatic of moments in stoppage time. Despite being swarmed by a crowd of defenders, striker Kasidech Wettayawong attempted an audacious effort from the edge of the area which found it’s way into the top corner of the net in the 92nd minute, sending the Suphanburi bench into a frenzy.
However, the stakes will be incredibly high for the War Elephants on the final day, as they have to face title hopefuls Chiangrai while Sukhothai and Korat face each other. While survival is still in their hands, anything less than a win puts them in danger of being usurped by Sukhothai because of their poor goal difference. Suphanburi will either need to pull off an upset and snatch all three points or hope that the Swatcats beat the Fire Bats.
Gama’s Unbeaten Home Run Ends
Muangthong United boss Alexandre Gama’s unbeaten home record in the league since taking over as Kirin boss has finally come to an end after 10 games at the SCG Stadium. Interestingly, the result comes at the hands of Chonburi, the side who also beat Muangthong in Gama’s first game in charge back in June.
Going into the game, the Brazilian boss departed from his typical 3-5-2 formation, reducing his personnel in midfield to make room for a three-man strike force featuring Heberty, Derley and Teerasil Dangda.
Chonburi put pressure on their hosts from the off, with Dang Van Lam being forced into an impressive save from a free-kick delivery as early as the sixth minute. Most of Muangthong’s best chances came once again from mercurial Brazilian Heberty, and his countryman Bruno Gallo saw a long-range effort skid just wide of the post as well.
It took until the second half for the deadlock to be broken, as the Sharks forced themselves ahead from a corner-kick, as towering center-back Junior Lopes arrived at the back post to head the ball home.
The result was put beyond doubt when midfielder Saharat Sontisawat fired a first-time effort from well outside the box, which found it’s way in courtesy of a deflection from Oh Ban-Suk.
With these results, the title is in Buriram’s hands going into the final day, but anything less than a win gives the advantage back to Chiangrai due to their superior head-to-head record. Elsewhere, one of either Suphanburi, Sukhothai or Korat will have to bid farewell to top-flight football.