DOCTORS on Phuket were fighting today to save the life of a young football player who ''died'' in an ambulance on the way to Bangkok Hospital Phuket last night.
At the tender age of 26, Camara Ahmed suffered what is thought to be a heart attack on the pitch at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City.
Today he lay on life support, having lapsed back into a coma, in the cardiac care unit, with his footballing future uncertain.
Celebrations by FC Phuket teammates of last night's 1-0 victory over Chainat FC were muted because of the absence of one of their inspirational star players.
Ahmed is one of three imports from the Ivory Coast in Africa who have helped to drive FC Phuket's aspirations to work from the bottom of Thailand's football ladder to the summit as fast as possible.
FC Phuket club president Wirat Phatree told Phuketwan today that while Ahmed had had limited opportunities to play before he was granted a proper work permit, his attitude off the field was as inspirational as his professional approach on it.
''This young man is one of the team's leaders and part of the inspiration for the dramatic Southern Sea Kirin's rise and rise towards Thailand's top football division,'' Khun Wirat said.
He is believed to have been earning about 20,000 baht as one of Phuket's professional imports, along with two other Ivory Coast players, Diarra Ali and Nene Bi.
Whether he is able to continue with FC Phuket depends on the doctors who are now diagnosing fully the medical condition that laid him low last night after FC Phuket striker Phawin Dootsomba scored the winning goal with a header that beat the keeper at the 49th minute mark.
A Phuketwan photographer captured the moment. Ahmed's condition may be caused by narrow arteries, doctors speculated today, arteries that have difficulty coping with the increased blood flow required in athletic exertion.
Loss of Ahmed's skills would be a major setback to FC Phuket's irresistible rise and rise. A shift to the superb training ground provided at Phuket's Fifa Tsunami pitch on Cape Panwa has helped the guys in green to reach new heights after their first season in 2009 saw them collect only nine points and score 11 goals at the bottom of second division.
The key to FC Phuket's revived fortunes has been Arjan Songssamsub, a highly regarded coach who aspires to follow the example of Muang Thong United moving from a similar lowly position to be close to winning the Thai Premier League for the second consecutive season.
Increasing numbers of fans turn out at matches at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City to cheer the greenbacks of Phuket on their winning way.
More are likely to appear if Khun Arjan and his team continue to cast aside rivals. Their next test comes in Bangkok on November 6, without Ahmed.
FC Phuket Wins, Player Collapses in 1-0 DramaAt the tender age of 26, Camara Ahmed suffered what is thought to be a heart attack on the pitch at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City.
Today he lay on life support, having lapsed back into a coma, in the cardiac care unit, with his footballing future uncertain.
Celebrations by FC Phuket teammates of last night's 1-0 victory over Chainat FC were muted because of the absence of one of their inspirational star players.
Ahmed is one of three imports from the Ivory Coast in Africa who have helped to drive FC Phuket's aspirations to work from the bottom of Thailand's football ladder to the summit as fast as possible.
FC Phuket club president Wirat Phatree told Phuketwan today that while Ahmed had had limited opportunities to play before he was granted a proper work permit, his attitude off the field was as inspirational as his professional approach on it.
''This young man is one of the team's leaders and part of the inspiration for the dramatic Southern Sea Kirin's rise and rise towards Thailand's top football division,'' Khun Wirat said.
He is believed to have been earning about 20,000 baht as one of Phuket's professional imports, along with two other Ivory Coast players, Diarra Ali and Nene Bi.
Whether he is able to continue with FC Phuket depends on the doctors who are now diagnosing fully the medical condition that laid him low last night after FC Phuket striker Phawin Dootsomba scored the winning goal with a header that beat the keeper at the 49th minute mark.
A Phuketwan photographer captured the moment. Ahmed's condition may be caused by narrow arteries, doctors speculated today, arteries that have difficulty coping with the increased blood flow required in athletic exertion.
Loss of Ahmed's skills would be a major setback to FC Phuket's irresistible rise and rise. A shift to the superb training ground provided at Phuket's Fifa Tsunami pitch on Cape Panwa has helped the guys in green to reach new heights after their first season in 2009 saw them collect only nine points and score 11 goals at the bottom of second division.
The key to FC Phuket's revived fortunes has been Arjan Songssamsub, a highly regarded coach who aspires to follow the example of Muang Thong United moving from a similar lowly position to be close to winning the Thai Premier League for the second consecutive season.
Increasing numbers of fans turn out at matches at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City to cheer the greenbacks of Phuket on their winning way.
More are likely to appear if Khun Arjan and his team continue to cast aside rivals. Their next test comes in Bangkok on November 6, without Ahmed.
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
Andaman Governors Must Unite to Save Phuket
Phuketwan Opinion With no sign that the Thai government has any intention of providing a strategy for the future of the Andaman, it's time the key governors combined forces to save the region.
Andaman Governors Must Unite to Save Phuket
Phuket Lifeguards Say 'Let's Close Karon Beach'
Latest Lifeguards are calling for the closure on danger days of one popular Phuket beach unless more improvements can be made to safeguard tourists who opt to swim despite warnings.
Phuket Lifeguards Say 'Let's Close Karon Beach'
Phuket Tuk-Tuk Driver Nabs Embarrassing Thief
Latest A tuk tuk driver performed a citizen's arrest and nabbed two ladyboy suspects after a tourist had his pocket picked on one of Phuket's best known beaches.
Phuket Tuk-Tuk Driver Nabs Embarrassing Thief
Phuket Tourist's Wild Ride Earns Wife's Evil Eye
Photo Album Nobody told Russian tourist Mike Shekin that a beach holiday on Phuket does not include drunkenly riding a motorcycle along popular beaches around midnight.
Phuket Tourist's Wild Ride Earns Wife's Evil Eye
