PHUKET: It's do or die time for FC Phuket as their big clash on Sunday at home in Phuket City seems set to define the rest of a turbulent season.
Phuket's football idols, fresh off a great year at the top of Division Two, were expected to achieve great things in Division One this year, too.
Sunday's home outing at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City will leave Phuket either poised for better things as the season draws to a climax, or wallowing in the middle of the table with their potential unfulfilled.
Phuket's opponents, PTT Rayong, will be out to break the Phuket Hulk's streak of three victories in a row, a triple treat that has revived interest all over Phuket in the team and its fortunes.
Here's the lowdown: Phuket is eighth and on 35 points, virtually needing to win all remaining 10 matches to soar to a promotion spot in the top three. In seventh spot is Bangkok United, with 35 points.
Sixth, fifth and fourth - Raj Pracha, Sunday's opponents PTT Rayong and Songkhla - are all on 36 points.
See how important this match is on Sunday? Victory would enable Phuket to start leap-frogging other contenders, although Buriram's position at the top of the table on 54 points seems beyond even a Phuket Hulks team in its best form.
FC Phuket officials expect the Surakul ground to be humming with 10,000 or more supporters on Sunday.
Phuket proved that it does best when there's plenty at stake and a big crowd. Last weekend brought a thrilling 1-0 triumph over Songkhla FC in a match watched by about 23,000.
This weekend? The hope will be that the Phuket winning streak rolls on. Go Hulks!
Phuket's football idols, fresh off a great year at the top of Division Two, were expected to achieve great things in Division One this year, too.
Sunday's home outing at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City will leave Phuket either poised for better things as the season draws to a climax, or wallowing in the middle of the table with their potential unfulfilled.
Phuket's opponents, PTT Rayong, will be out to break the Phuket Hulk's streak of three victories in a row, a triple treat that has revived interest all over Phuket in the team and its fortunes.
Here's the lowdown: Phuket is eighth and on 35 points, virtually needing to win all remaining 10 matches to soar to a promotion spot in the top three. In seventh spot is Bangkok United, with 35 points.
Sixth, fifth and fourth - Raj Pracha, Sunday's opponents PTT Rayong and Songkhla - are all on 36 points.
See how important this match is on Sunday? Victory would enable Phuket to start leap-frogging other contenders, although Buriram's position at the top of the table on 54 points seems beyond even a Phuket Hulks team in its best form.
FC Phuket officials expect the Surakul ground to be humming with 10,000 or more supporters on Sunday.
Phuket proved that it does best when there's plenty at stake and a big crowd. Last weekend brought a thrilling 1-0 triumph over Songkhla FC in a match watched by about 23,000.
This weekend? The hope will be that the Phuket winning streak rolls on. Go Hulks!
