Played at the Saphan Hin Sports Complex, the match was both side’s 18th match of the 26-fixture season.
Last time the two clubs met in Samut Sakhon in May, Phuket came out on the losing end 3-2, and would have to play with rematch without two key players, Edson “Gugu” Silva and Anuwat Pannopha, who watched on from the stands.
Like Phuket United, Samut Sakhon’s “Joyful Mudskippers” are a strong and quick attacking club, who won’t hesitate to stretch out their opponent’s net if given the space.
And so it was, from the start both sides employed aggressive attacking combinations, but which were met on either-end of the pitch with well-coordinated marking.
In addition to the usual forays led by Phuket’s Jackson Santos, Kittipong Sonsuwan and the two Thanakorns, Phuket’s newest signingings, Kiati Tolasut, Pubet Kongthong and Suttiporn Glutcharoen also awed the crowd with fancy footwork and narrowly-missed opportunities.
Finally, in the 13th minute Phuket’s Kittipong Sonsuwan broke the deadlock with a piercing missile on a counter attack, assisted by Jackson Santos, who laid the ball off for him after jumping on a loose ball mid-pitch.
Just before the half-time whistle, Jackson Santos doubled the Pearl’s lead from the middle of the area, making room for his strike using excellent pivoting skills in a crowded box.
Seven minutes into the second half, Phuket went up another goal on a fast break that stretched the entire length of the pitch, led by Thanakorn Piyaprichatyut, who found Patchaya Simanta unmarked at the far post for a beautiful finish.
As a storm blew over ahead, water soon began leaking from the roof onto the pitch prompting officials to pause the game for 10 minutes, until finally the rain subsided, the mops came out and play could resume safely.
Play was back and forth and Samut Sakhon opted to bring on their attacking keeper for a power-play formation in the final four minutes.
Their efforts didn’t appear to be creating any chances, but they continued to move the ball waiting to catch Phuket off guard. The clock burned down and both sides were in foul trouble.
Awarded a penalty shot after Samut Sakhon committed their sixth team foul of the half, Thanakorn Penakul failed to up his side’s advantage.
Samut Sakhon persisted, and their power-play finally yielded fruit in the last minute of play, when Suttaphon Runleuang got through at the end of a busy combo.
However, Phuket held on to their lead through to the final whistle and as a result moved up into 4th place with 33 points, while Samut Sakhon fell into fifth, still with 32 points.
Next up, Phuket are away to 8th placed Ayuthaya City on Saturday, July 18. Kick off in Ayuthaya will be at 4pm. After that, their next match, at home on August 9, will be against CAT FC.
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