The result means that with only one game left in the Yamaha League Division One season, to be played against relegated Trat FC at Surakul Stadium on Saturday (Dec 12), the only hope they have of surviving is the three teams above them all suffering defeats and the Ronins scoring no less than 23 goals against Trat.
Phuket are now placed at 17 in the table with 43 points, Chiangmai FC are in 16th on 45 points, Phichit FC in 15th also with 45 ponts and Krabi FC in 14th on 46 points. The goal difference between Phuket and Krabi currently lies at 23. Positions 15 to 20 are relegated to Division 2.
As last night’s game was not televised, other than travelling to the game, the only means Phuket fans and The Phuket News’ Sports editor had of following the game was via the official Phuket FC Facebook page, and as it stood at 69 minutes the site stated Phuket were 2-0 down.
The page was then updated at the 86 minute mark to say Phuket got a goal back to bring the score to 2-1.
It was updated again at 90 minutes to say that Patipat Amantantree, the goal scorer in Phuket’s victory over Nakhonpathom Utd FC last weekend, had scored and the score was level at 2-2.
As per the Facebook page, even after 5 minutes of additional time, the score remained at 2-2. A result that would have meant that Phuket still had hopes of survival. However, sometime after the game those post were removed and was updated to say the team had lost 2-1.
The Phuket News spoke to a representative from Phuket FC today and she confirmed that Patipat had indeed scored but the goal had been disallowed.
The reason for disallowing the goal is still unclear and not Phuket representative have been contactable for comment.
Phuket FC have since put an apology on the Facebook page apologising to the fans for the misleading posts.
It is alleged that there was a video of the goal available via the Songkhla United FC Facebook page, but the video has since been removed.
So as it now stands, Phuket FC will now be playing in the Regional Division 2 when the new season starts in 2016. That is of course unless an amazing miracle can actually happen come Saturday.