Phuket FC had never beaten Ayutthaya in the two years the teams have clashed in Yamaha League-1 play. It took until the final second of the last home game of the 2014 season for the Ronins to finally conquer the Ancient Warriors – and all in front of home fans.
CHECK OUT PHUKET NEWS TV's VIDEO REPORT ON THE MATCH HERE.
The game was tight throughout, with Phuket FC dominating most of the possession in the first half. An early afternoon rain shower left the field in a difficult condition for players with mud and heavy-soil weighing both teams down.
The pairing of Ney Fabiano and Jagdeosingh proved a wise choice once again with both players taking their chances in the first half. Still, it was Ayutthaya that struck the first blow with a goal in the 37th minute after some slack defending.
Defender Yusuke Sato – who came up with the game-winning header last week at Roi Et United – scored the equaliser in the 41st minute with a rebound strike.
The second half was littered with blown chances by several players, despite some quick ball-play in the midfield. Phuket FC coach Reuther Moreira swapped Eber Henrique for Ney Fabiano with 22 minutes left to play. Henrique's fresh legs helped galvanise the team's attack and gave Jagdeosingh several set-ups for a score.
But it took until the final second for Jagdeosingh to score a header for the game-winning goal.
"It's important every time to do well. The players did a good job, especially with the field. I'm happy today," Moreira told The Phuket News after the match.
Phuket FC now sit at 11th place (46 points) in the Yamaha League-1 standings, the most points the team has accumulated since first they were promoted to the league back in 2011. This victory is also their third straight in as many weeks.
A win next week could propell the team for their first top ten finish in League-1, but Moreira is more than happy that the team is no longer hovering over the relegation zone.
"If we stay in top ten, it is not important. What is important is that we do not go down [to division 2]," Moreira said.
The Ronins finish up the season this Sunday (November 1) on the road against the Thai Premier League-bound Gulf Saraburi FC (2nd place, 60 points). Kick-off is set for 4pm.
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