After a tense initial quarter of play, Phuket's Suttiporn Kluncharoen opened the scoring in the 12th minute from the deep right flank, which was answered by Rattagorn Tubduang 3 minutes later on a touchline drive counter attack.
Phuket quickly found themselves in foul trouble and Thai Port was awarded a penalty shot after the home team's six accumulative foul. Thai Port's Adrianho's shot was wide, however, and the 1-1 scoreline remained through to half time.
The visitor's Attapong Tengrom scored 11 minutes into the second half, and a free kick equalizer by Edson "Gugu" Silva minutes later was denied by the official who deemed the kick to come before his whistle.
The game witnessed lots of fouls, and fans scorned the officials after every whistle against their own side, but it was an alleged hand ball by Thai Port that finally saw Phuket to the penalty line.
Jackson Santos did not miss his mark. Moments later, Gugu scored the advantage, and with about five minutes on the clock, Thai Port brought on an attacking special forces squad with each desperate possession, which would be to no avail, as Phuket held on for the win, three points and a third place boost, seeing Thai Port drop from 4th into 5th.
Phuket have only three matches remaining to conclude the 2015 season, on September 5 away to champs Chonburi; then on September 15 at home vs Samut Prakarn, and to conclude on the road to Surathani on September 20.
Grab a copy of The Phuket News on stands next Friday for full analysis, stats and table details.
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