CHONBURI BEAT PATTAYA TO GO TOP OF THAI PREMIER LEAGUE

Pattaya went in front after just five minutes in front of their vociferous fans when Tana Chanaboot used his speed to outrun the Chonburi defence for a cross that Ludovic had little trouble in nodding home.

Chonburi fought back strongly with several chances after that but the Pattaya defence stood their ground to hold out to a 1-0 advantage at the break.

But just two minutes into the second half, Chonburi finally found the equaliser they were looking for Thai veteran midfielder Therdsak Chaiman converted a penalty after a foul by Pattaya Brazilian defender Arrindo.

The game went into higher gear after that as both teams created chances after chances as the clock trickled down to the last quarter.

However, Ekaphan Inthasen found the space to break away from his marker before rounding Pattaya’s goalkeeper Prasit for a shot from a tight angle for the lead and what turned out to be the winner.

“It showed character that the team was able to fight back from being a goal down,“ said Chonburi coach Jadej Meelarp.

Countered Pattaya coach Thawatchai Dumrong-ongtrakul: “we played well but didn’t take our chances.”

At the Phichit stadium, TTM Phichit defeated the Army 3-1 with the goals coming form Adana (12th minute), Adulchai Sangsuk (34th) and Songwut Buaphet (90th), while the only goal for Army was scored by substitute Somporn Thancharoen (58th).

At the I-Mobile stadium in Buri Ram, the hosts shared a 1-1 draw with BEC Tero Sasana.

Rangsan Vivatchaichok opened the scoring for Buri Ram PEA with a penalty in the 45th minute while Thriti Nonsrichai equalised ten minutes to the end.