Wednesday, March 18, 2009

PEA 2-1 Home United: PEA fight back for thrilling win

BANGKOK: Provincial Electricity Authority launched a thrilling second-half fightback to beat Singapore’s Home United 2-1 on Tuesday and extend their lead at the top of Group H in the AFC Cup.

Superb strikes from Narongchai Vachiraban and substitute Supakit Jinajai sealed a well-deserved win for the Thai champions at the Supachalasai Stadium after going behind to a long-range effort from Shi Jiayi after 24 minutes.

The Ayutthaya team looked dangerous throughout the first-half but spurned a succession of good chances against a Home United side that was always on the back foot.

The hosts had the best of the early action with Patiparn Phetpun and Narongchai firing just wide of the target.

Home United hit back in 11th minute when Cameroonian striker Kengne Ludovick found a gap in the defence and shot just past the upright.

PEA had a good scoring chance on 16 minutes through Satrupai Srinarong but they were made to rue their profligacy when the visitors took the lead against the run of play.

Shi finished off a neat attacking move when he fired a low shot on the turn from outside the area, which trickled into the bottom left corner with the goalkeeper beaten.

The Thai side battled hard for the leveller and almost found it on the half-hour mark when Brazilian Richard Falcao’s shot was blocked and Laotian Lamnao Singto’s follow-up header was deflected to safety.

PEA had the best chance of the half but were again frustrated when Falcao’s shot edged past the post after an inch-perfect cross from Jinajai.

But PEA moved into another gear after the restart and almost found the equaliser after 48 minutes when Falcao’s strike from 35 yards crashed off the post.

Their relentless pressure finally paid off on 52 minutes when former Thai international Narongchai’s potent free kick sailed into the top left corner.

With the visitors shell-shocked and inundated by Thai attacks, PEA grabbed all three points on 65 minutes when Supakit hit a sweetly-struck shot from the edge of the area into the top corner.

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