Sunday 22nd October 2023 - 16:00pm Thailand / 09:00am GMT - BPL Div 2
Futera United continued their pursuit of TOA Dovechem, who are sitting at the top of the Bangkok Premier League Division 2, with a hard-fought victory over a spirited young Sirisak Sport Club. Futera sent a clear message to TOA with a 4-1 victory, proving that they would not give up the title chase until it was mathematically impossible.
Futera were boosted by the return of Jew, but it was the home side who were on the front foot in the early stages, with their intense pressing from the front causing problems for the visitors. Film was forced into action twice in the opening fifteen minutes, saving well on both occasions. Gradually, Futera found their way into the game, with both wingers Aek and Mai beginning to cause problems. An intricate, mazy run from Aek saw him upended on the edge of the box, and from the resulting free kick, Jew powered home a low shot into the bottom left corner, with questions asked about the Sirisak keeper's poor positioning.
This settled Futera down, and they continued to create chances. A stinging strike from Aek was tipped wide by the Sirisak keeper before a flowing move saw C Game cross, and a sublime dummy from Icky found Beam, whose shot beat the keeper but was cleared off the line before the follow-up from C Game was once again miraculously kept out. A well-worked free kick saw Bas head inches wide, and from the resulting free kick, a swift counter-attack saw Sirisak break free down the right flank, and although Film managed to parry the first attempt, the home team's striker gleefully slotted home the rebound to make the score 1-1 after an enthralling first half.
Futera kicked off the second half and started to move the ball with more purpose. Three minutes into the second half, a beautiful display of skill saw Beam ghost past his marker and fire in a low cross that a fellow PSW graduate fired home for his second senior goal, giving the visitors a 2-1 lead. Futera was now in full control, and some of their one-touch football was a joy to watch. In the 69th minute, they extended their lead further. Bas played in C Game down the right flank, and his wicked cross caused panic between the Sirisak keeper and central defender, allowing Golf to smash home into the roof of the net for his tenth goal of the season. All credit to Sirisak, who refused to give in and continued to battle hard. With 10 minutes remaining, Bew won a crunching fifty-fifty challenge in the middle of the park before a sensational dummy bamboozled the last defender, allowing him to race on, and his angled drive flew into the roof of the net for his first goal for Futera, making the score 4-1. The remaining minutes saw Futera almost extend their lead further. Tan had a goal disallowed for a dubious offside after good work from Golf, and Jew's thunderous 35-yard free-kick cannoned off the crossbar with the keeper well beaten with the last kick of the game as the score ended with a fine 4-1 victory for Futera.
A hard-earned three points for Futera, against a well-organised, energetic young side, as they refuse to concede the title race is over. Once again, impressive displays from Bew and Aek, and it was also nice to see the PSW boys combining well. A tendency to try to play out from the back at all costs is becoming a worrying trend, putting themselves into difficulty time and time again. As the season draws to an end, we can look back with immense pride as this young team continues to evolve, getting better and better.