PHUKET: The Phuket team go into the weekend's big match on home turf in Phuket City full of confidence, for a change.
They'll be taking on Ratcha Navy FC, knowing that from second position, Phuket FC should be able to stare down the opposition in fourteenth place.
''We will do our best to win at home,'' coach Paniphol Kerdyaem said, in his no-surprises maner. So far, so good.
Phuket's Islanders have eight points from four games so far in Division One, turning the two draws of the season's first two games into two wins in the second pair.
''The boys are high-spirited and eager to win,'' coach Paniphol said. ''Being at the Top 3 of the table feels good and we intend to keep it that way to boost our chances of promotion to the Thai Premier League.''
One enforced changed for Phuket's winning team will be finding a replacement for defender Wuttipong Sittitunyaki, who is off to Bangkok for military service.
A couple of expat imports who play for the Navy are capable of causing some damage. Last season, Phuket beat the navy team once and was beaten once.
''We can't underestimate them,'' the coach said. ''But I'm positive that we will win and stay on top of the table.''
Given that there's a break in the competition over the Songkran New Year holiday, a large crowd is expected at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City.
It would certainly be appropriate if Phuket managed to turn Phuket City into a fortress against the Navy.
Kickoff is at 6.30pm Sunday, with adult entry priced at 100 baht.
Phuketwan is not the official media sponsor but we are Phuket FC's biggest fans.
They'll be taking on Ratcha Navy FC, knowing that from second position, Phuket FC should be able to stare down the opposition in fourteenth place.
''We will do our best to win at home,'' coach Paniphol Kerdyaem said, in his no-surprises maner. So far, so good.
Phuket's Islanders have eight points from four games so far in Division One, turning the two draws of the season's first two games into two wins in the second pair.
''The boys are high-spirited and eager to win,'' coach Paniphol said. ''Being at the Top 3 of the table feels good and we intend to keep it that way to boost our chances of promotion to the Thai Premier League.''
One enforced changed for Phuket's winning team will be finding a replacement for defender Wuttipong Sittitunyaki, who is off to Bangkok for military service.
A couple of expat imports who play for the Navy are capable of causing some damage. Last season, Phuket beat the navy team once and was beaten once.
''We can't underestimate them,'' the coach said. ''But I'm positive that we will win and stay on top of the table.''
Given that there's a break in the competition over the Songkran New Year holiday, a large crowd is expected at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City.
It would certainly be appropriate if Phuket managed to turn Phuket City into a fortress against the Navy.
Kickoff is at 6.30pm Sunday, with adult entry priced at 100 baht.
Phuketwan is not the official media sponsor but we are Phuket FC's biggest fans.
