Going into the game, the 32nd of the 38 game season, the Ronins sat in 15th place in the Yamaha League Division One table with 35 points, the visitors meanwhile sat in 19th with 32 points.
The Ronins made a confident start to the game and had much of the possession in the very early stages, however, it was the Ancient Warriors who had the first real goal scoring opportunity with a quick counter attack in the 17th minute.
A long ball from Ayutthaya’s Thanat Jantaya found an unmarked Sirichai Lamphutha in the box, however, his shot to the near post was blocked by Phuket’s Piyawat Intarapim.
Phuket had their first chance at goal 10 minutes later, captain Sato Yusuke took a shot from 18 yards out but his effort went just over the bar.
Despite Phuket having control of the game, it was the visitors who took the lead in the 37th minute. Somchai Singhamanee took possession of the ball from inside Ayutthaya’s penalty box and sent the ball down the right to Narongsak Sodsai.
A nice first touch from Narongsak left him in plenty of space and he struck a low shot which went in off the post.
But Phuket levelled the match just before the half-time whistle.
A long ball forward from Satawat Incharoen caused confusion between Warrior’s keeper Noguchi Pinto Erikson and left back Nonthaphan Jeersathawong and this allowed an unmarked Chatdanai Joompha to neatly lob the keeper.
The late goal meant that the sides went in at 1-1 at the half-time whistle and certainly changed the atmosphere in the ground during the half-time break.
The Ronins started the second-half strongly and had early chances, the first a shot from top-scorer Berlin Ndebi which was well saved by Noguchi. Moments later a powerful header from Sato was again saved by Noguchi.
Ayutthaya came close to regaining the lead on the 61st minute. Right back Narongsak curled a shot from 18 yards out which just cleared the bar.
Phuket came close moments later when a powerful shot from Patipat Amatantree forced a one-handed save from Noguchi. Minutes later a header from veteran striker Pipat Tonkanya was saved and cleared away by a Warrior’s defender.
With four minutes of extra-time to play most were expecting the game to finish level, but in the dying seconds the stadium erupted when Sato sealed Phuket’s third win in as many games.
A neat free-kick from about 20 yards outside the box found the head of Moussa Sylla who nodded it on to the far post where an unmarked Sato made no mistake in powering the ball into the net with his head.
Speaking to The Phuket News after the match, Phuket’s Coach Dang said he felt really happy with the result and that the players all put 100 per cent into the game.
When asked if he felt Phuket can avoid the drop to division 2 he replied, “I am always telling the players to work hard and give their all for Phuket FC and they are giving it their all right now. We will continue to battle to avoid relegation.”
Manager Pariyawit ‘Benz’ Achariyachai added, “I’m happy that we got the win in the last minute.
“The boys started off well, but unfortunately with football even though you’re playing well you can concede goals which is what happened to us today. But we came back with a beautiful goal to level the score.
“Then in the last minute we scored from a great set-piece free-kick.
“We still have games left to play, and now it’s all about keeping our concentration and getting out of the relegation zone.”
Meanwhile, central defender Trent McClenahan who is now becoming a regular face in the starting 11 said, “This was a big result for the team and the club. From the last three or four performances you can see that the team is really fighting to avoid relegation and we need to keep this confidence going.
“For sure the team wants to survive in the league and the players are all working hard in training and on the pitch.
“I think now maybe we’re getting a bit more luck than before and now the confidence within the team is growing every time we get a good result. Hopefully we can take this into the last few games and stay in the league for the fans and for the club.”
Captain Sato Yusuke added, “I feel so good today, but it was a difficult game. The season isn’t over yet and we still have six games to play but I really think we can stay in division one.”
The win keeps Phuket in 15th place in the league, the last relegation spot, but now equal on points (38) with 14th placed Krabi FC.
Phuket FC next hit the road on Sunday November 22 when they take on table toppers Police United, they return to Surakul on Wednesday November 25 when the visitors will be fellow relegation battlers Phichit FC.
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