Futera United 2-1 Pathumthani FC

Sat 10 Jan 2026, 16:00 – T3 (Bangkok Univ. Rangsit Stadium)

Futera United kicked off 2026 full of optimism following a busy mid-season transfer window that saw multiple players arrive and depart. A fresh chapter began with five new signings making their league debuts as Futera welcomed league leaders PTU Pathumthani FC to the Bangkok University Stadium.

After being edged out by PTU in a seven-goal thriller earlier in the season, Futera looked far more defensively solid, adding the Korean duo Park and Cha at centre back along with the energetic Fanta at left back. In front of them, Champ and Khun offered experience, allowing the talented Beem free rein to influence the game.

Futera began brightly, moving the ball with confidence and purpose. Beem, cutting in from the right flank, tested the PTU goalkeeper early on, before Phu, released by Guy’s neat back-heel, rattled the visitors’ crossbar with a stinging angled strike.

On the half-hour mark, Futera finally made the breakthrough. Beem’s sublime through ball picked out Pup, who raced clear on goal only to be upended by a clumsy challenge from a PTU defender, who then compounded the foul by palming the ball away for a blatant penalty. Phu stepped up and, although the keeper guessed correctly, the strike nestled into the corner to give the home side a 1–0 lead.

Futera’s lead lasted barely five minutes as PTU, stung by going behind, finally came to life and showed why they sit top of the table. Film produced a stunning one-handed save from the impressive PTU number 10, but from the resulting corner Futera failed to clear their lines. The ball was headed back across goal and eventually scrambled home for the equaliser despite multiple defenders in the box.

The opening moments of the second half saw Futera go agonisingly close when Guy’s relentless pressing forced the PTU keeper into a poor clearance, gifting possession to Phu. The forward drove into the box but was unable to find the net, his shot skimming just over the crossbar.

With PTU desperate for three points to solidify their place at the top of the table, the visitors pushed forward in search of a winner. In the 74th minute, Film produced a magnificent double save: first flinging himself to his left to tip away a brilliantly struck volley, then springing up instantly to block the follow-up strike from the PTU number 10. Futera were let off 10 minutes later when a deep free kick eluded the home team defence allowing the PTU attack to thunder a shot that cannoned off the cross bar.

Deep into stoppage time, with the game seemingly destined for a draw, Drew escaped down the right-hand side and his deep cross found John at the far post. The experienced forward, now fully recovered from injury, exchanged passes with Bealey, before calmly slotting home.

Bedlam followed as the furious PTU bench argued with the match officials, leading to their photographer being sent off. More frustration from the visitors boiled over moments later when their midfielder was shown a red card after scything down Dew. The referee finally blew for full time, and Futera celebrated ecstatically after securing a dramatic 2–1 victory.

An outstanding start to the second phase of the league fills me with huge optimism. The new signings all performed well and defensively we looked a much more disciplined unit. I genuinely believe we should fear no one, and on our day we are a match for any team in the division.

Film once again underlined his position as the best goalkeeper in the league by some distance, and I thought the two Korean boys were excellent. Champ and Khun gave us a solid defensive shield, allowing our talented youngsters Beem and Phu to get on the ball and create chances. With John back to full fitness and Song waiting to step in, I feel we are a side full of goals.

Exciting times lie ahead, and hopefully we’ve now added the players we need to be truly competitive at this level. We go again next week in search of another three points,  a team now looking up, not down.

 Futera Susu.