Thai Honda, the “Great Eagles”, went into the match in sixth place in the table on 34 points, while the Ronins were in 15th place on 27 points.
The Eagles started the match very strong and with only four minutes gone in the game a nice through ball from midfielder, Thanawit Kamna, to striker, Raul Gaztan, almost gave them their first scoring opportunity but the ball was picked up by Phuketʼs keeper Piyawat Intaraphim.
Four minutes later, another chance fell to Raul but his strike from 20 yards out went over the bar. Then on 16 minutes Eagleʼs striker Julius O-bi-o stole the ball from a Phuket defender and had a good shot which went just wide of the post.
The Roninʼs first chance at goal came just moments later when the ball fell to their top scorer Beline Mdebl but his powerful strike from 18 yards out went just wide of the near post.
But it was two goals in two minutes which stunned not only the visiting fans but also the hostsʼ. The first came in the 19th minute when a beautifully struck free kick from Alongkorn Jornnathong curled over the wall and into the far corner. The second, just one minute later, was a scored by Julius O-bi-o whose shot Roninʼs keeper, Piyawat had no chance of stopping.
Although they were 2-0 down, Phuket were still creating chances and a further strike from Berlin from 20 yards out went just over the bar.
In the only minute of extra time added to the first 45 minutes Julius had a chance to put the home side 3-0 up but his shot from just inside the box was beautifully saved by Phuketʼs last man, Piyawat.
The Ronins came out fighting in the second half and midfielder Patipat Amatantree had a great chance saved in the 52 minute.
However, the hosts got their third goal on 64 minutes when a pin-point cross from the left by Porramat Krongborisut met Raul in the box and his close range header easily found the back of the net.
There was drama in the 70th minute, however, when the stadiumʼs power went off bringing the game to a halt for 13 minutes before power was restored and play was allowed to continue.
Just two minutes after the re-start Phuketʼs Chatdanai Joomphaʼs long ball found Berlin in the box, but unfortunately his header hit the post.
But the hosts secured their fourth goal of the game with Raul grabbing his second goal of the match. Another pin-point cross from Poramat went directly to Raulʼs head and he did not waste the chance of sending the ball into the back of the net.
The result sent Thai Honda to second place in the table while Phuket moved one place deeper into the relegation zone to 16th.
After the match, Phuket FC coach Songyot “Dang” Klinsrisuk said, “We did not play well today and deserved the consequences, we must improve and keep on fighting.”
Phuket FC will play a third away game in succession on Wednesday (August 19) when they take on 8th placed Pattaya United. They then return home and will face Air Force on Sunday (August 23) at Surakul Stadium. Kick-off is set for 7pm.
Class Act Media is prould to be a sponsor for Phuket FC.