Football
Paul Murphy 7y

Mika Chunuonsee takes Bangkok United into seventh heaven in Thailand

Welsh-born Thailand defender Mika Chunuonsee put Bangkok United in seventh heaven as his side won their eight consecutive Thai League (T1) match with a 7-2 victory over Chonburi.

Mika netted the final goal of Saturday night's game as Mano Polking's side produced yet another devastating attacking performance.

They are now level on points with Muang Thong United, who drew 2-2 at Sisaket, while leaders Buriram United pulled six points clear with a 7-0 thrashing of Super Power Samut Prakan.

Here are five things we saw on T1 Matchday 25:

1. Mika lifts Bangkok United to new heights

Mika's late header might have been his first goal of the season, but it was number 79 for Bangkok United, with nine games still to play.

The Bangkok Angels' attacking flair has already seen them surpass their 2016 total of 71 goals in 31 games. Another four-goal display from Dragan Boskovic barely registers as a surprise, with the Montenegrin now on 30 goals for the season.

Despite 12 wins from the last 13 T1 games, time is running out in the pursuit of Buriram, due to a poor start that saw them win just five out of 12. Mika is adamant that a top three finish remains the target.

"It has been a strange season with the start we had," Mika told ESPN FC. "I think if you asked all of us after the first half of the season, we would have said that top three would be a great achievement.

"But it has been an incredible run of form for the boys. Deep down, we know that Buriram and Muang Thong are still the teams to beat. Looking at the league, it's close and we do have belief, but we can't look too far ahead, and I think top three is still the realistic target."

While Bangkok United's free-scoring style has many admirers, the defence has come under fire. They may have by far the most potent attack, but they have just the 12th best defence.

"We're an attacking side, and that's the reason why we concede goals as well," said Mika. "We take risks when we go three our four goals up, and still play with an attacking mind and we've done that all season."

With the momentum behind them, Mika admits that the upcoming five-week break for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and World Cup qualifiers comes at a bad time.

"The break is not good for anyone," said Mika. "If you asked all the teams, five weeks off the league is a bit crazy. It gives a lot of teams, and players, the chance to regroup, and start again.

"We'd love to continue to play games, but it will also give us a chance to really go into the last nine games of the season firing on all cylinders. I'm sure when we come back, we'll hit the ground running and we'll be okay."

2. Heberty plays hero and villain

Muang Thong United dropped two crucial points on a rain-soaked night in Sisaket to fall six points behind leaders Buriram. The conditions certainly played a part in Suriyakarn Chimjeen's opener for the hosts as puddles on the pitch created chaos.

Heberty Fernandes quickly levelled the score with an excellent free kick, but it took until the 77th minute for the champions to edge in front. Teerasil Dangda earned a dubious penalty and Heberty fired home the spot-kick.

The home side, whose head coach Veliza Popov resigned during the week, will feel that justice was done when Heberty diverted a Sisaket free kick into his own net with a looping header.

Heberty's unfortunate intervention could prove decisive as it enabled Buriram to pull clear.

3. Buriram bring up the century

While Bangkok United have been making headlines with their goal scoring exploits, it is at the other end of the pitch that Super Power Samut Prakan have been earning unwanted attention.

A week after Muang Thong had put nine past them, Super Power conceded seven at home to Buriram United, as the league leaders tightened their grip at the top.

Jaja Coelho struck four as Bozidar Bandovic's side pushed Super Power's goals conceded column past 100 -- that's an incredible average of over four per game.

4. Pattaya's surge continues

Just six weeks ago, Pattaya United were flirting with relegation after a run of five defeats in six games. However, Saturday's 3-0 victory at Suphanburi was their fifth win in six games -- a run that has seen them surge into eight place in the T1 table.

The game was delayed by over two hours after a torrential downpour, but the visitors wasted no time when the match finally started.

Milos Stojanovic headed in the opener after six minutes and Prasit Jantum's interception ended up in his own goal in the 22nd minute. Lee Won-Young's late goal added the gloss as the Blue Dolphins reached the heady heights of eighth spot.

5. Battling Port frustrate Bangkok Glass

Port FC went into the game at Bangkok Glass with some trepidation. Kiatisuk Senamuang's side were coming off the back of a three-game losing streak in T1, and they had been soundly beaten 3-0 by the same opponents earlier in the year.

But on a night of drama at the Leo Stadium, Port FC managed to come away with an unlikely point as both sides failed to make the most of many chances. The match surprisingly ended goalless, with profligate finishing at both ends, while goalkeepers Pisan Dorkmaikaew and Worawut Srisupha pulled off some excellent saves.

The result will be disappointing for the Glass Rabbits, but Kiatisuk will be relieved to have stopped the rot ahead of a kinder run of fixtures.

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