Southeast Asia Thailand

Sukhothai Pull Off Great Escape

By: , October 28, 2019 3:13 pm
Credit – Sukhothai FC Official

Obb Deewajin

Football Tribe Thailand

 

Just before the final weekend of Thai League football this season, a rumour emerged that PTT Rayong will be withdrawing themselves from the top tier of Thai football next season. The Firepower will release an official announcement on Monday (28th October 2019), but the news had somewhat already ruined what was a heated the relegation dogfight. The league seemed to confirm that only two teams will drop to T2, thus seemingly lessening the stakes in Nakhonratchasima FC’s clash with Sukhothai FC.

With all that said, more than 19,000 supporters turned up at the 80th Anniversary Stadium to cheer to players on one last time this campaign. Suphanburi FC’s result against Chiangrai United would play a crucial role in whether Nakhonratchasima FC or Sukhothai FC survive. But to keep it simple, it’s a must-win match for both of them.

Since his arrival, Pairoj Borwonwatanadilok has added a cutting edge to a side whose defense is already solid since Ljubomir Ristovski was in charge at the beginning of the season. A double fire by Khapfa Bunmatoon put Sukhothai 2-0 ahead after just 30 minutes. The midfielder is one of Pairoj’s most trusted men, having risen to fame playing under the 52-year-old tactician at Osotspa Saraburi.

The goals demanded a change from Swatcat head coach Chalermwoot Sa-ngapol who looked to the pace and trickery of attack Chitchanok Xaysensourinthone. And it was the presence of Chitchanok and Bernard Henri that forced defender Yanto Basna to react. Unfortunately for the Indonesian international, he completely messed up his clearance – sending the ball rolling into the back of the net. 

And the home side’s stroke of luck didn’t end there either. Bernard Henri played Amadou Ouattara through down the right flank who spotted Chitchanok sprinting into space and delivered a delicious cross to the far post. 2-2 it is after an hour gone.

Yet, just 2 minutes later, the visitor would reclaim their lead via Yanto Basna’s closed-range finish – the Swatcat should’ve done much better to clear the ball away from Sukhothai’s freekick. Things then went from bad to worst for Chalermwoot Sa-ngapol when Iain Ramsay was given time and space on the right flank. The Filipino midfielder saw Irvin Herrera’s hands up inside the box and, on his weaker right-foot, supplied the Salvadoran striker with a wonderfully weighted cross. A well-drilled counter-attacking sequence of play you’d expect to see from coach Pairoj. 

The match ended 4-2 to Sukhothai FC, head coach Pairoj had dragged the club to safety for the second time. Suphanburi FC’s defeat to Chiangrai United meant the Swatcat merely fell to 13th – two points above the relegation zone.