FC Phuket Photo Special Above
FC PHUKET triumphed 2-0 in a vital victory tonight over Rayong that sets the island's Cinderella sensations for Thailand's Division One.
All that's needed for a fairytale finish is one more win next weekend, over Samutprakhan. Tonight's game had all the makings of a dream come true with Ivory Coast player Diarra Ali slotting both goals in a salute to his fallen teammate, Camara Ahmed.
The young Camara collapsed with a heart attack on-field at Phuket City's Surakul Stadium several matches ago with his great wish to take FC Phuket to Thailand's Division One yet to be fulfilled.
Now the realisation of that footballing dream is close and the young player is staging an even more courageous recovery in what could turn out to be the Phuket sports story of the year.
By next week Camara could be out of Phuket City's Vachira Hospital, and soon after Christmas, he could even be on his way home to the Ivory Coast and a joyous reunion with his young family.
If he goes home with FC Phuket in Division One, the team's triumph against adversity both on field and off field will top the King's Cup Regatta being decimated by a storm, the staging of Phuket's first Honda motor racing event and the initial Ironman 70.3 as the biggest Phuket sports story of 2010.
But all that lies ahead, beginning next weekend. Tonight was enough of a delight for the present for FC Phuket's loyal fans, who cheered their side home in a thriller.
Remarkably, after going in at halftime one goal down, the opposition team switched from red jumpers to blue in the hope of improving their luck. Unsurprisingly, FC Phuket officials objected.
Rayong were forced to revert to red, and the change in fortune never materialised.
The skills of Diarra saw a penalty driven into the net at the 24-minute mark and a sealer slotted after 62 minutes. The team was hailed by the growing FC Phuket fan base of green ''Hulks'' after the match, perhaps more fervently than ever before.
Diarra especially came in for praise. Realising Camara's dream is only 90 minutes away now for FC Phuket.
Latest Every kick will count for Camara on Saturday as FC Phuket attempts to cement its place at the head of a strong field of Thai teams bidding for an upgrade.
FC Phuket Fights for a Fallen Football Star
Update: Stricken FC Phuket Star Shows Sign of Life
UPDATE One of FC Phuket's strongest supporters has undertaken to meet the cost of hospital treatment for the fallen star who has now opened his eyes for the first time.
Update: Stricken FC Phuket Star Shows Sign of Life
Phuket's Stricken Star in Fight of His Life: Photos
On Field Photo Album A young professional soccer player who suffered an apparent heart attack playing for FC Phuket is the father of a one month old child back home in Ivory Coast.
Phuket's Stricken Star in Fight of His Life: Photos
Phuket Expat Star in Narrow Win Over Death
Update The fairy tale of FC Phuket's rise and rise up the Thailand football tree took second place today to the real life drama of a star player who suffered an apparent heart attack.
Phuket Expat Star in Narrow Win Over Death
FC Phuket Wins, Player Collapses in 1-0 Drama
Photo Album In a night of great drama, Phuket won the game but almost lost one of its stars when a player collapsed with a suspected heart attack on the field. He is in a serious condition.
FC Phuket Wins, Player Collapses in 1-0 Drama
Yeeeeees weeeeee caaaan! One more win!
Posted by Staf on December 19, 2010 20:13