The Spirit of Muangthong!!
In the second week of the Thai football league, there were two impressive victories worth writing about.
In Thai League, the top division, Pattani FC, known as the “Langsuka Gunmen,” secured their first-ever 3-point win in history.
They came from behind to beat Uthai Thani FC, nicknamed the “Huai Kha Khaeng Elephants,” 2-1 on their home ground.
This scoreline was the biggest upset of the week.
The home team, Uthai Thani, coached by Alexandre Gama, had opened the Thai League season with an exciting start.
They had just crushed Lamphun Warriors 4-1 away, taking the top spot ahead of everyone else.
With such strong form, many expected the home side to easily secure another 3 points against the southern newcomers.
The match seemed to follow that prediction when Benjamin Davis scored early for the home team in the 14th minute.
However, Pattani refused to give up and equalized 20 minutes later, ending the first half at 1-1.
In the second half, the battle continued, and the visitors took the lead through Igor Neves in the 52nd minute.
For the remainder, the Langsuka Gunmen worked together to defend and resist Uthai Thani’s attacks fiercely.
Time ran out and they completed the comeback to earn 3 points, raising their total to 4 and surprisingly moving up near the top of the table!
The football passion in the southern region was further ignited.
After their home opener at Thinsulanon Stadium in Songkhla Province ended in a valuable 1-1 draw against BG Pathum United,
17,000 fans attended, setting the highest attendance record for the first week of the Thai league.
Although fewer traveled to the away game on Saturday due to the short distance,
Pattani fans still gathered enthusiastically to support their team via a live broadcast on a giant screen at the Pattani Cultural Arts Plaza.
Such scenes are rare elsewhere, but in Pattani, football truly is the lifeblood of everyone in the province.
Another memorable match worth mentioning occurred in the second-tier Thai League 2 on Saturday evening.
The “Kilen Phayong” Muangthong United, now touring across Thailand after relegation, hosted Nongbua Pitchaya FC, one of the top contenders.
Although Muangthong was the home side, their team was weaker compared to the “Fighting Rooster” due to numerous pre-season issues.
Notably, unpaid wages to foreign players led to a FIFA complaint, preventing registration of new signings.
This forced them to travel to their first match against Uttaradit FC with only 15 players available, managing a draw.
In match two, the same problems persisted, so they fielded mainly young players in their early 20s.
But the fighting spirit of these Kilen players was truly admirable.
Even after falling behind 1-0 late in the first half to Kaio Rodrigues of Nongbua Pitchaya, they did not give up.
They rallied in the second half to equalize through defender Songwut Khaikruan in the 54th minute.
Then, near the end in the 88th minute, the crowd of over 2,000 Kilen fans erupted in celebration!
Sarayut Yooseubcheua became the hero by scoring the winning goal, securing a 2-1 victory.
They claimed an important 3 points at home.
This victory unlocked the frustration caused by the many problems the club had faced, which had threatened its survival.
Coach Borges’ ecstatic celebration, lying on the ground hugging his staff,
spoke volumes about how deeply everyone felt without needing words.
The big 3-point win for the Kilen players
gave everyone on the team renewed spirit to keep fighting despite the many obstacles they currently face.
Besides the players, coaching staff, and team executive “Big Pe” Ronarit Suewaja,
the true heart belongs to the loyal Kilen fans, numbering over 2,000,
who still generously bought tickets and came to support Muangthong players on the sidelines,
even as the club is going through a downturn.
This is what true “die-hard fans” who genuinely love their team look like.
With such fan support, every Kilen player is ready to fight to the death,
to restore Muangthong United,
to its rightful place as soon as possible!!!
- Bee Bangpakong -