Bangkok FC 3-1 Krabi

Two late goals kept Bangkok FC's TPL dreams alive as they beat Krabi 3-1. With minutes remaining, the Iron Bulls were being held 1-1 but a debatable penalty and subsequent sending off were to be the talking points of the day.

After last week's 3-0 loss at Rayong FC, Bangkok's promotion fate was out of their own hands and there was a sombre end of season feel to the contest as the match kicked off.

It was an even start to the game although it was Krabi who had the early chances with Anuwit and Somkid coming close.

The hosts first real effort came midway through the half when Tawin's drilled left foot shot across goal forced Anusorn to block with his foot.

The same duo were involved three minutes later when the goalkeeper rather recklessly brought down the Bangkok number 22 leaving the referee with the simple decision of awarding a penalty.

Lee Tuck took his trademark stuttered run up for the spot kick but Anusorn dived the right way to block his shot. However, Meedech was the swiftest to react and he knocked in the rebound to give the hosts the lead.

Inspired substitution

Krabi were struggling to get back into the match and they hooked Tanat for John Mary minutes before the break. The former Buriram striker made an instant impact as his rasping shot from the edge of the box landed in the back of the net.

After the interval, Bangkok were applying most of the pressure while the team from the south were looking dangerous on the break.

Tawin's header from a long throw went just over the bar and an Olof Watson shot hit the side netting as the hosts pressed. At the other end, John Mary couldn't connect properly as his shot 18 yards was saved by Worawut and Anuwit blazed over following a quick break.

The Bulligans thought they'd taken the lead shortly after Sam Danquah's arrival but his teasing cross was knocked tantalisingly back across the goal by Watson with the Krabi keeper stood rooted to the spot.

With time running out, Bangkok FC were awarded a debatable penalty. Whether or not Adisak clipped Jutarong is open to discussion, but the reaction of the Krabi players was rather childish. In the rugby scrum that swarmed the man in the middle afterwards, it appeared a slap was aimed at his head and Onuora was shown a red card. After about 15 minutes of heated argument on the touchline, the red card was given to Thaweephong after he appeared to own up. Lee Tuck could finally take his second spot kick off the afternoon and this time the Englishman made no mistake as he sent Anusorn the wrong way to make it 2-1.

Moments later, Bangkok should have had a third penalty but the referee decided to hedge his bets and awarded a free kick on the edge of the box instead. Tuck then gently rolled the ball to Watson and the Swede rifled home into the bottom corner to secure the 3-1 win.

There was double joy at the final whistle for the Bang Mot side when the news filtered through that Nakhon Ratchasima had beaten PTT Rayong. Next week PTT Rayong host Bangkok FC and a win for the Iron Bulls would send them into the TPL. 

Singh Tarua 2-1 Krabi

Singh Tarua recorded their eighth successive home win beating Krabi 2-1. Leandro was yet again the leading man as his double helped Tarua come from behind to claim three precious points.

Ali Diarra struck the crossbar in the second minute with an angled drive from an acute angle. At the other end, John Mary let rip from 30 yards and his strong shot wasn't far away.

In the 12th minute, Reichelt should have done better when a defensive error allowed him in on goal, but his shot was palmed wide by Chookiat.

Krabi's opener came slightly against the run of play in the 37th minute. Former Thai Port striker Valci Junior played in John Mary and the big man turned and powerfully prodded his shot home from fifteen yards.

Nevertheless, the hosts reasserted their authority seconds later when the referee awarded a penalty after Chookiat brought down Leandro. There was a strong hint of handball by the Brazilian in the build up to the penalty, but he wasn't bothered as he sent the Krabi keeper the wrong way to net his 17th league goal of the season.

The Krabi goal was breached again moments into the second half when Leandro capitalized on a howler from Chookiat. A weakly hit shot from Reichelt appeared to be heading wide, but for some reason the stopper dived to save it and he inadvertently fumbled the ball straight into the path of Leandro.

The other keeper's handling had been impressive but Watchara almost allowed Krabi back into the game just after the hour when he went walkabout. Fortunately for him, Seekit got himself back on the line to head John Mary's chip over the bar.

In the 75th minute, Valci Junior's shot from just inside the box crept agonisingly wide as the Andaman Eagles pressed for an equalizer.

However, it was Singh Tarua who looked more likely to add a third in the closing stages with Chookiat making a decisive block from Kroekiat while two minutes later Narongkrit cut inside and fired inches over the bar.

The victory for the Klong Toei side was made even sweeter with promotion rivals Air Force and Bangkok FC losing. Tarua now have a three point buffer over Bangkok FC for that last promotion spot. The big showdown between the pair comes on October 5th when the Bulligans welcome the Port Lions.

Man of the Match: Leandro - Another match winning brace

BBCU 2-2 Krabi

Four goals were shared in the second period as BBCU and Krabi drew 2-2.

There was no sign of BBCU's midweek hero, Bouba Abbo, as the sides lined up, but the sight of 'Bomber' Thanom as the match official suggested it was going to be a lively game.

Within a minute, BBCU could have been ahead, but Nawin couldn't keep his header on target as his effort sailed a couple of yards over the bar.

Krabi then had a couple of chances of their own shortly afterwards. Valci Junior was denied by Pornchai in the fifth minute and Soukhaphone's low drive from the edge of the box hit the base of the post.

The game then lulled until the 37th minute when a 30 yard free kick from Marcio rattled the upright. Seconds later the heavens opened and the fans of the Yellow Blue had to then scramble into the virtually empty covered main stand to their left.

The downpour had eased off by the time the Pink Panthers took the lead two minutes after the restart. A floated free kick from Eduardo Salles found the head of Nawin to open the scoring. The BBCU striker was left unmarked as the Krabi defence were posted missing.

Minutes later, the goalscorer had a good penalty shout knocked back when he was sent tumbling by Ittiphol in the box. By this time, the home side were pressing for a second, and Anusorn had to be alert to tip a Nawin's 25 yard set piece over the bar.

On the hour, Krabi levelled when Jean Michel Liade rose well at the back post to head home Sornchai's cross.

BBCU could have retaken the lead seconds later, but there were no takers after Mongkol had curved an intriguing ball across the six yard box.

Nonetheless, the Bangkok side were back in front midway through the second half when Eduardo Salles curled home a free kick home from inside the D. Anusorn was left rooted to the spot as the Brazilian ran off to celebrate.

Once BBCU had restored the lead, it was just like Wednesday evening's encounter with Singh Tarua all over again as they tried to wind down the clock by wasting time.

Krabi rallied and they were rewarded in the 82nd minute when John Mary equalized with a scruffy goal. In the celebrations afterwards , Ekachai, who had just been subbed, ran over to rejoice with his colleagues. He took his shirt off and was then shown a second yellow card by Thanom. The substituted player was subsequently sent to sit on the naughty step in the front of the main grandstand.

The game finished 2-2 which was probably a fair result. It wasn't a dirty game, but I reckon the yellow card count must have reached double figures. Both sides showed flashes that they could be higher than their mid-table position, yet that's the position where the pair will ultimately finish.

2-2 sending off