Football
Paul Murphy 8y

Leaders Muang Thong fail to win for third consecutive match in Thailand

The arrival of former Newcastle United and Spain U21 striker Xisco apparently can't come soon enough for leaders Muang Thong United who failed to win for the third Premier League of Thailand (PLT) game in a row.

With the 30-year-old in line to face champions Buriram United on July 24, Muang Thong were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Navy FC at the SCG Stadium on Saturday.

The result allowed Bangkok United to move just one point behind the Kirins as they survived a test at bottom side BBCU. Buriram United, meanwhile, made it three victories on the trot as their season finally seems to be gaining momentum.

Here are five things we saw in PLT Matchday 22:

1. Teco's men frustrate Muang Thong

Navy FC head coach Stefano 'Teco' Cugurra believes that shutting down Muang Thong United's attackers was key to helping his side pick up a point in the draw with the league leaders.

Andre Luis silenced the home fans with a poacher's finish early in the second half before Michael N'Dri's smart turn and shot levelled the match less than 10 minutes later. But Muang Thong could not find the winning goal and their 14-game winning streak has now been followed by two draws and a defeat

"We focused on tight marking and staying focused," Teco told ESPN FC. "We tried to close down Cleiton Silva, Teerasil Dangda and Chanathip Songkrasin, to stay compact and limit the space for them."

Regarding his own team, Teco is not satisfied sitting just four points clear of the relegation zone. "Our season should be better," he added. "We had the worst defence in 2015 so we have worked a lot on that and we have one of the five best defences this year.

"Now have to try and improve in attack and score more goals because we want to finish far from the relegation zone and to improve on last year's performance."

Muang Thong, meanwhile, face old foes Buriram next weekend. They will be hoping that ex-La Liga and Premier League striker Xisco can help turn their form around after his arrival on Monday.

2. Jaycee rescues Bangkok Angels

Bangkok United went into Sunday evening's game at BBCU knowing that a victory would take them to within a point of Muang Thong. For an hour it looked like Mano Polking's side might blow their opportunity, with the struggling side holding them at 2-2.

The hosts had taken an early lead through Julius Oiboh before Mika Chunuonsee levelled with a deflected free kick and Jaycee John put the visitors ahead on the stroke of half-time.

But Naruphol Putsorn's free kick equalised for BBCU five minutes into the second half, piling the pressure back on Mano Polking's side.

The Bangkok Angels responded as a Ma Sang-Hoon own goal and a second strike from Nigerian-born Bahrain international Jaycee edged them closer to their title rivals.

3. Buriram finally get a treble

Champions Buriram United beat Pattaya United 4-2 at home to make it three PLT wins in a row for the first time this season. For the team who won the domestic treble last year, this should be no great achievement, but in the context of this disappointing campaign, it is an important milestone.

With Muang Thong now three games without a victory, it adds a bit more spice to their clash next Sunday.

With Afshin Ghotbi's side 12 points behind the Kirins, it would take an unlikely turn of events to put Buriram in with a chance of retaining the title. But they can still have a significant say if they take points off the league leaders.

Victory at the SCG Stadium may just have the top two looking nervously over their shoulders.

4. Sisaket fans steal the show

Sisaket were unlucky not to take all three points at Army United as Josimar Rodrigues scored in added time to give the hosts a point. But they could take consolation from the outstanding backing of arguably the best travelling support in the country.

The visitors had taken the lead at the start of the second half when Tossaphon Khamengkij glanced in Anton Zemlianukhin's free kick.

Sisaket had chances to wrap up the points, with Adefolarin Durosinmi missing several chances. He also had a strong penalty claim when he appeared to be pushed in the back.

But Josimar got wrong side of the visitors' defence to poke home an equaliser when the points appeared to be heading north east.

Sisaket head coach Bozidar Bandovic told ESPN FC, "In the second half, we had four or five chances to make it 2-0 and finish the game. From the bench, it looked like we should have had a clear penalty because Durosinmi was pushed in the back."

The Sisaket fans came in numbers and generated a great atmosphere throughout the game. "These fans are great," said Bandovic. "They have great energy and always support us whether we are winning or losing. I think for the last seven months we have given them a lot to be happy about. We are not a big team, like Buriram or Muang Thong, but we are doing well."

Army's Singaporean goalkeeper Hassan Sunny rescued his side with an excellent double save late in the game.

"I thought we deserved more than a point," Hassan said. "We missed so many chances but we showed fighting spirit. Sisaket also had some good chances so it was quite an even game."

Hassan, who misses Singapore's training tour of Japan this week, was also impressed by the visiting support.

"I was shocked. When they started cheering, I realised it was the first time I had seen that section behind the goal as full as this. We have to thank those who travelled all the way from Sisaket and we enjoyed the atmosphere."

5. Glass smash Tero again

Earlier in the season, Bangkok Glass thrashed BEC Tero Sasana 5-1. It was the Fire Dragons' fourth defeat in their first six games and things looked bleak.

Tero have since turned their season around but when it came to facing the Glass Rabbits again, they found themselves on the wrong end of another thrashing. Romain Gasmi gave the visitors the lead with an excellent free kick before his cross set up Surachat Sareepim for number two. Ariel Rodriguez put the away side three ahead before Jaturong Pimkoon replied for Tero with a thumping strike.

But Jakkapan Pornsai had the final say as the former Suphanburi winger netted his second PLT goal for Bangkok Glass in added time.

Tero will be happy that they don't have to face the Glass Rabbits again in 2016.

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