{"id":18561,"date":"2019-07-23T13:57:16","date_gmt":"2019-07-23T04:57:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/?p=18561"},"modified":"2019-07-23T13:57:16","modified_gmt":"2019-07-23T04:57:16","slug":"table-toppers-clash-ends-in-pulsating-stalemate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/2019\/07\/23\/table-toppers-clash-ends-in-pulsating-stalemate\/","title":{"rendered":"Table-Toppers Clash Ends In Pulsating Stalemate"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Obb Deewajin<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\">Football Tribe Thailand<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>All eyes were on the Chang Arena in Buriram this weekend, as title hopefuls Bangkok United took on defending champions Buriram United in what looked like the most consequential game of the season so far. However, results across the league saw things get even tighter at the top.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-18566\" src=\"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2019\/07\/67309780_2264840123635768_5853353160961163264_o-800x534.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Klongtoei Lions&#8217; Struggles Continue<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Port FC&#8217;s woeful run of six winless games carried on in an away defeat to the rising PTT Rayong, who have been on red hot form since the midway point of the season. Head coach Jadet Meelarp&#8217;s attempt to force Sumanya Purisa and Sergio Suarez into the same side continue to disappoint, while latest big signing Rolando Blackburn disappeared up top.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Firepower head coach Teerasak Po-On opted for a very defensive back-four, fielding natural center-backs Sarayut Sompim and Korawit Namwiset at right and left-back respectively. The Lions,\u00a0 without natural winger such as Pakorn Prempak or Nurul Sriyankem, lacked output down the flank and unable to penetrate beyond Rayong&#8217;s defensive line. Bordin Phala, although very strong in offensive one-on-one situations, tended to cut inside from left and run into an already congested area. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without an in-sync overlapping run from the left-back to pull opposition defender away, it was difficult for Bordin to have any influence going forward. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Funnily enough, Port&#8217;s best effort in the game came when Bordin tried his luck from within his won half. It would&#8217;ve been a Beckham-esh moment, but unfortunately the shot bounce off the crossbar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PTT Rayong got their winner in the 70th minute, as Dennis Murillo found space in a counter-attacking move on the edge of the penalty area. The Brazilian striker struck a first time effort with his left foot, pulling off a sublime finish into the far corner of the net. Substitute Pakorn Prempak and Josimar both missed opportunities to equalize from within Rayong penalty box and the game finished 1-0.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since the result, Jadet has been removed from his position and instated as the technical director, a position he held before taking over from Kiatisuk Senamuang. Replacing Jadet is former Thailand U23 coach and senior team assistant Choketawee Promrut.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h3>All Even at the Thunder Castle<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Sunday, Bangkok United challenged Buriram Untied for the league&#8217;s top spot at the Chang Arena. Angels head coach Mano Polking swapped the fullback pairing of Ekkachai Sumrei and Wanchai Jarunongkran for the more defensive Mika Chunuonsee and Putthinan Wannasri, a rare defensive move which indicated the magnitude of the game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nacer Barazite is the Thunder Castle&#8217;s biggest threat up front and should have put his side in the lead only to completely miss his kick from six yards out. Bangkok had more possession and came close in the 24th minute when they hit Buriram on a three versus two counter-attacking break. Pokklaw Anan played Nelson Bonilla through but the angle was just to tight for the star-striker to beat Siwarak Tedsungnoen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The deadlock was finally broken when goalkeeper Michael Falkesgaard misplaced a pass as Bangkok were trying to build out from the back. Narubadin Weerawatnodom picked up the loose ball, made a quick burst forward then squared in Barazite, who redeemed himself by giving the hosts the lead after half an hour.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, Bangkok equalized just two minutes before half-time via Everton Goncalves&#8217;s bullet header. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the break, Mano Polking&#8217;s troops continued with the same upward momentum &#8211; almost unlocking their way past the Buriram&#8217;s stronghold numerous time. Perhaps more finesse with their final ball would&#8217;ve done the job.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The match ended 1-1. Bangkok were probably the most likely winner but a point is not the worst result on the grand-scale of things. Buriram United, on the other hand, will be a relief they got away without defeat but also disappointed with the performance &#8211; especially in the final 20 minutes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-18567\" src=\"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2019\/07\/67182152_2285769728126985_1715341892855529472_n-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Samut Prakan Edge Closer to League Summit<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elsewhere, second place Chiangrai United lost away to Muangthong United at the hands of their former head coach, Alexandre Gama. The Beetles adopted a counter-attacking approach, looking to hit back with the pace and power of William Henrique and Bill Rosimar up front. However, that wasn&#8217;t enough to stop the Kirin&#8217;s attacking prowess, as Bruno Gallo assisted fellow new signing Derley for the game&#8217;s only goal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the Thalay Luang Stadium, Samut Prakan City got back to winning ways with a victory over Sukhothai. Jaroensak Wonggorn and Teerapol Yoryoei combined in a breathtaking counter-attack to put the Sea Fang ahead. The amazing John Baggio leveled the game with a divine freekick. Teerapol Yoryoei&#8217;s cross then found itself in the back of the net in the 47th minute &#8211; his second of the game and Samut Prakan&#8217;s winning goal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This result saw the Sea Fang replaces Chiangrai at second place, equal on point with Buriram United. They now prepare to host the defending champions next Saturday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Obb Deewajin Football Tribe Thailand &nbsp; All eyes were on the Chang Arena in Buriram this weekend, as title hopefuls Bangkok United took on defending champions Buriram United in what looked like the most consequential game of the season so far. However, results across the league saw things get even tighter at the top. Klongtoei Lions&#8217; Struggles Continue Port FC&#8217;s woeful run of six winless games carried on in an away defeat to the rising PTT Rayong, who have been on red hot form since the midway point of the season. Head coach Jadet Meelarp&#8217;s attempt to force Sumanya Purisa and Sergio Suarez into the same side continue to disappoint, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/2019\/07\/23\/table-toppers-clash-ends-in-pulsating-stalemate\/\" class=\"tribe-more-link\">Continue reading &#8220;Table-Toppers Clash Ends In Pulsating Stalemate&#8221;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":18565,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26,38],"tags":[95],"class_list":["post-18561","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-southeast-asia","category-thailand","tag-slider"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18561","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/90"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18561"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18561\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18568,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18561\/revisions\/18568"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18565"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18561"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18561"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/asia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18561"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}