Pathumthani University 4-3 Futera United

Sun 21 Sept 2025, 15:30 – T3 (Ratchakram Sport Club, Bang Sai)

A pulsating seven-goal battle ended in disappointment for Futera United, as PTU capitalised to claim the points and leave the T3 newcomers still seeking their first points of the season.

With Nigerian international John returning from an opening-day suspension, Futera reshuffled into a 3-5-2, deploying Heng and Pup as wing-backs to provide width behind the strike pairing of John and Power. The change paid off early, as the visitors struck in the sixth minute, Power broke down the right and delivered a pinpoint cross for John, who outmuscled his marker and coolly slotted home Futera’s first ever professional goal.

After his initial free-kick was charged down, Pingpong’s thunderous follow-up forced a sharp save from the PTU keeper, with John unable to finish the rebound. Futera then broke swiftly, Pup switching play to Heng who burst past the left-back and whipped in a cross; Power’s effort was blocked but as the ball looped skyward, Pingpong met it with a crisp volley that left the goalkeeper stranded, doubling the visitors’ advantage.

Gradually the hosts began to take control, dominating the midfield and pushing Futera deeper as they searched for a route back. Their breakthrough came just before half-time when their standout player unleashed a thunderous 35-yard free-kick that sailed over a fragile Futera wall and nestled into the bottom corner. Buoyed by the strike, PTU poured forward and were denied an equaliser only by a brilliant stop from Film, who tipped a rising effort onto the bar before gathering the rebound. Soon after, the referee’s whistle signalled the end of a breathless first half, with Futera clinging to a slender 2–1 lead.

The second half began with Futera introducing Net and Ball for Pup and the out-of-sorts Beem. PTU picked up where they had left off, dominating midfield and threatening with a curling effort that drifted narrowly wide before Film produced another superb save to tip over a long-range strike from their influential playmaker. Against the run of play, Futera struck again, a hopeful punt forward from Film split the home defence, allowing Net to race clear and loft a clever chip over the advancing keeper to restore a two-goal cushion.

PTU reduced the deficit in the 63rd minute when a deep cross from the right was met by their striker, who nipped in ahead of Film to steer the ball home. Futera almost restored their cushion immediately as John struck the inside of the post, but the pressure soon told. In the 70th minute, a failure to clear their lines proved costly, with Net’s misplaced header falling kindly for a PTU midfielder to volley in the equaliser and level the game at 3–3.

With several Futera players struggling through injury and fatigue, Khun was introduced to bring calm and experience in the closing stages. But with five minutes remaining, PTU struck the decisive blow, their left winger broke down the flank and delivered a deep cross that found an unmarked striker, whose downward header nestled into the net for 4–3. Futera threw bodies forward in search of a response, sending in a series of dangerous crosses, but they were unable to trouble the goalkeeper before the final whistle confirmed a second successive defeat for the visitors and preserved PTU’s perfect start.

It was a fantastic spectacle for the neutrals but a bitterly disappointing outcome for everyone connected with Futera. Even with a two-goal cushion, there was never real confidence that PTU could be kept at bay, and once again the team slipped into bad habits, sitting deep under pressure and surrendering possession too cheaply. To leave their main striker unmarked for a free header inside the six-yard box at 3–3 with five minutes left was simply naïve.

The midfield remains the biggest concern, lacking shape and responsibility, and changes may be needed, with Voun and Tsubasa likely to bring more legs and defensive solidity. On the brighter side, John and Power were a constant threat and look capable of scoring goals, Ball showed promise at wing-back, while Film pulled off several outstanding saves. As Futera head into their third game still without a point, the pressure is mounting to secure a first win  or at the very least, a draw. Being known as the “entertainers” is of little consolation if it comes with defeat every week.

There’s no point dwelling on this defeat,  Futera have shown they are not out of their depth at this level. With a big FA Cup tie on Wednesday followed by another testing league clash on Saturday, the games come thick and fast. What matters now is avoiding despondency, backing the team, and pushing forward together. Futera Su Su!