Phuket FC went into the match holding on to the 6th (10 points) position on the table after grinding out a 2-0 win over Pattaya United on April 4.
But the Ronins couldn't get much going at Air Force Central, conceding a goal in the 19th minute. It only took two touches for Air Force stiriker Julius Oiboh to finish a beautiful play and score past Phuket FC goalkeeper Piyawat Intarapim. Oiboh received a great long-range pass from Kittikai Jantaraksa from across the field, that found the Nigerian striker perfectly.
About 14 minutes later, Oiboh would come up big again as he darted past a Phuket FC defender down the left sideline and passed the ball to No. 10 Sarayuth Chaikamdee who blasted a shot as he spun around towards the goal, giving his time a commanding 2-0 lead they would not relinquish.
Still, Phuket FC wouldn't relent and, in the 75th minute, Pipat Thongkanya shot past Air Force goalkeeper Kritsakorn Kerpol only to have the ball hit the far post.
“Tactical failures, I must say. Our team's offensive skill is still weak, however, we did our best. This game, we did not have the main players,” said Phuket FC Coach Songyod “Daeng” Kinsrisook following the match. “But those players left in the field are strong and fit. We did the best especially last haft time of the game even though we fail to score.
Next up, the Ronins play Lampang FC on April 18 in the first round of the Toyota League Cup 2015. The match will take place at Lampang Stadium in northern Thailand with a kick-off time set for 6pm.