Sunday 14th August 2022 - 19:00pm Thailand / 13:00pm BST / 12:00pm GMT - BPL 4
Futera United remain top of the BPL Division 4 after a resounding victory over their bitter rivals Primera in a feisty encounter on the 4g pitch at the Aimphan Stadium. With a number of injuries and a bout of COVID amongst the squad Futera put in one their most impressive performances of the season against a much changed Primera team who seemed determined to cause an upset against their high flying opponents.
Futera started brightly and fashioned their first chance inside 10 minutes when Art found space in the box but his shot was blocked by the Primera defence. With their opponents pressing high up the pitch and aggressive in the tackle, Futera were finding it hard to break down a well organised back four. Steffen had the ball in the net in the 15th minute only for the rather inept referee to disallow and Bank also went close. A frustrating first half for Futera was compounded when their inspirational skipper Jew was stretchered off and the first half fizzled out with the score 0-0.
After stern words from Coach Den and Breeze Futera started the second half strongly dominating possession and more purposeful in attack, Phu rattled the crossbar with an exquisite free kick in the 53rd minute, and after good work from Kao, he blazed the ball over with the goal at his mercy. With Futera continually able to break Primera’s intense high press with neat one touch football they were controlling the tempo of the game. Substitute Few almost scored with his first touch but his well struck volley was kept out by the Primera keeper. Pang fired a ferocious shot against the post before a neat one two between the excellent Don and Kao saw a low cross fired home by Few to give Futera the lead, much to the delight of the home fans. 5 minutes later the sublime Phu ghosted past his marker to smash home a 25 yard rocket to make the score 2-0 to Futera. The home team continued to create chances and Ter should have done better but miscued his volley from six yards with only the keeper to beat. In the closing minutes, good hold up play from Ter allowed Poom to drive into the penalty area only to be unceremoniously upended by two Primera defenders for a penalty to Futera, that John easily converted, sending the keeper the wrong way. The final whistle blew shortly after for an excellent 3-0 win to Futera United who remain unbeaten in the BPL Div 4.
A great performance against a much improved Primera team, who were desperate to cause an upset. The returning Don put in a man of the match performance full of energy and guille to show what a fantastic player he really is. M was a calming figure at the heart of the defence and Phu showed his full repertoire of tricks and skills. Futera’s young team refused to be riled by their provocative opponents and some scandalous decisions from the below par referee. A hard fought but fully deserved victory, that leaves Futera sitting pretty at the top of the table.