Sriracha 1-0 Army Utd

Minute's silence

Army United were edged out 1-0 by Sriracha in a feisty game at the Suzuki Stadium.

The game threatened to boil over on several occasions, but the referee did 'just about' enough to keep tempers simmering below the breaking point.

In the first half, Army United held slightly more of the possession and territory, and were unlucky not to take the lead midway through the first half. Siwamet's header cannoned off the bar from a corner and then Leandro's shot on the swivel, hit the post. That double combination of the ball hitting the woodwork was the closest the deadlock came to be broken in the first 45 minutes.

Surprisingly, or unsurprising if you are familiar with Thai politics, there was no sign of Sriracha's new loanee from Buriram PEA, Dudu. Fortunately, his absence wasn't costly for the Blue Marlins as their other summer acquisition, Christiano Lopes stole the headlines.

Sriracha players celebrate their goal

The home side were more attack minded in the second half, and were rewarded for their positivity in the 71st minute. Christian Lopes netted his first TPL goal at the second attempt after his initial header from a corner was parried back into his path by the Army keeper, Kamphol.

"Fancy a pint afterwards, mate?"

That goal was enough to move Sriracha out of the bottom 3, although they may return there if TOT pick up anything at Khon Kaen today. From what I saw, Sriracha have enough about them to finish lower mid-table. If they can keep winning home games against mid-table and lower placed teams, they should be able to achieve this. Army United on the other hand, look destined to finish in mid-table.