THEPHUKETNEWS.COM
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015
SPORT 35
Ronins downed by Big Bang FOOTBALL Matt Pond editor3@classactmedia.co.th
P
hu ket FC we r e i n Bangkok last Sunday (July 26) to take on Big Bang Chula United Football Club (BBCU) in both team’s 20 th game of the 2015/16 Yamaha League Division One season, and a game that marked the start of the second half of the season. The game was played at the Nonthaburi Municipality 72 Anniversary Stadium. Going in to the game, BBCU were placed at 13th in the league table with 26 points, Phuket were in 13th with 24 points. The battle between the Ronins and Big Bang started with the home team attacking strongly and great combination plays between Bing Bang’s midfielder Yuki Bamba and defender Woranet
Ronins’ Patipat Amatantree is tackled by BBCU’s Dooh Moukoko. Photo: Kittipun Keawprapai. Tornueng put the Ronin’s defence under pressure. There were not many chances created by either side for much of the firsthalf, but on the 39 th minute great attacking play by BBCU led to Yuki having
a chance on goal, but his header was saved by Phuket keeper Piyawat Intarapim. The teams went in at half-time with the score level at 0-0. Phuket started the brighter of the two teams in the
second-half and in the 78th minute their Guinean midfielder Moussa Sylla was awarded a free-kick just outside of the penalty box. He stepped up to take it, but his effort was saved by Big Bang’s keeper and captain
Kittikun Jamsuwan. But it was in the final minute of the game that Phuket FC let their guard down after giving away a free kick just outside of the box. Yuki Bumba stepped up to take the strike and managed to curl the ball around the wall and into the back of the net, giving BBCU a 1-0 victory. The result saw BBCU move up two places to 13th in the table with 29 points, while Phuket dropped one place to 14th , just one place above the relegation zone. Phuket FC will play their 21st game of the season tomorrow (August 1) at home against Sukhothai FC, who sit at 8th place in the league. Kickoff will be at 7pm at Surakul Stadium. Class Act Media is proud to be the media partner of Phuket FC.
YL1 Week 20/38 Team
GD
Pts
1
Police Utd
30
48
2
NPTUTD8
26
33
3
Thai Honda
12
31
4
Angthong
9
31
5
Prachuap
4
31
6
Bangkok
3
31
7
PUTD
19
30
8
Sukhothai
13
29
9
Air Force
5
29
10
Songkhla
3
29
11
BBCU
1
29
12
PTT Rayong
6
28
13
Phichit
-4
26
14
Phuket FC
-17
24
-4
23
Samut 15 songkhram BTU 16
Krabi
-4
23
17
Ayutthaya
-17
21
18
TTM FC
-11
19
19
Chiangmai -12
19
20
Trat
-44
13
Phuket FC announce new Australian signing FOOTBALL Matt Pond editor3@classactmedia.co.th
PHUK ET FC ON MONday (July 27) held a press conference to announce the signing of their latest player, 30-year-old Australian Trent McClenahan. He has signed for an undisclosed fee from Thai Yamaha League One side PTT Rayong and can play in various positions, including right/centre back and as a defensive midfielder. Trent was born in Chipping Norton, New South Wales and was a student at Westfields Sports High School, playing for Chipping Norton FC, Bankstown, Sydney Olympic, Parramatta Power and captaining NSW at all youth levels. At 16, Trent left Australia and signed for West Ham United on a three-year deal after impressing in trials. After rising through the ranks he made his league debut, aged 19, against Crewe Alexandra in August 2004, the first of three first-team appearances for the club, achieving promotion to the Premier League. He went on to sign a two-year extension, before leaving for more playing opportunities. After leaving West Ham, Trent had stints at various clubs in the UK including MK Dons, Hereford Utd, Hamilton Academical and Scunthorpe Utd. In 2011 he returned to @thephuketnews
also bolstered last week by the signing of six new Thai young bloods. Defender Satawat ‘Sam’ Incharoen signed from BBCU; midfielder Chatdanai ‘Chat’ Jumpha signed from Trat, forward Wichit ‘Nom’ Thani signed from Sriracha FC, defender Thanet ‘Ghong’ Benphad also came from Sriracha FC; midfielder Thiwa ‘Lhong’ Sangsomboon signed from Assumption United and defender Chitisan ‘Mos’ Na Bangchang signed from SCG Muang Thong United. Phuket FC Vice President Wirut Haotawanit said, “We are happy and proud to welcome our new players to Trent McClenahan with Phuket FC President Pramookpisitt Achariyachai. Photo: Matt Pond be part of the Ronin family. I welcome you again as vice Australia signing for Perth Australia coach Graham bring more experience to the president of Phuket FC and Glory where he played with Arnold selected McClenahan side’s younger players. hope all new players will fellow Ronin Andres Lopez. in a squad for the international Meanwhile, the team was lead Phuket FC to the top in He also had stints at Cen- friendly against Ghana Foottral Coast Mariners and Syd- ball Association in London on ney FC before signing for PTT November 14, 2006. Rayong in 2014. McClenahan was also Trent’s career has also called up to an Australia seen him play at international training camp in 2011 by level captaining the Australia coach Holger Osieck during U20 side. He was also part of the early stages of his reign. the squad for the 2005 FIFA Speaking at the press conWorld Youth Championship ference, Trent said that he and played in all three games. was looking forward to once Trent was then called up again playing alongside his exinto the Australia U23 squad teammates Andres Lopez and where he made 18 appear- ex-Thai international player ances. He featured in the Pipat Thonkanya, who he Australian team that reached played with at PTT Rayong the final of the Intercontinental in the 2014 season. Cup and was selected for the He hopes that his experiOlympics in Beijing featuring ence will help move Phuket in all three games during the FC higher up the table in the tournament. second half of the season and
League 1 because we believe in your ability.” Phuket FC manager Pariyawit Atchariyachai added, “Welcome to the Ronins family. We are thrilled to have seven new players who are hungry to prove themselves and be part of our team. Hopefully we will enter the big league together in three years. “I believe in the power and ability of younger players as they will push for success,” he concluded. Satawat ‘Sam’ Incharoen said, “On behalf of the new players, I would like to thank Phuket FC for giving us an opportunity to prove ourselves. Phuket is a very adventurous and interesting place to be, and I hope we will bring our best performances to all Ronin fans.”