AYUTTHAYA PK FC 2-2 FUTERA UNITED
- Tim Jackson
- Mar 30
- 2 min read
Saturday 29th March 2025 - 16:00pm Thailand / 09:00am GMT - TSP - RUS Stadium
Futera United continued their unbeaten start to the season with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against pre-season favourites Ayutthaya Park FC, securing a point with two goal-of-the-season contenders.
Futera made the trip northwards to the ancient city of Ayutthaya under a sombre cloud following the tragic events of the previous day in neighbouring Myanmar and their hometown of Bangkok. After a minute’s silence, impeccably honoured, the game kicked off with Futera once again having to make changes following a bizarre training ground injury that left star man Beale out with a broken nose. Bas and Tewitt both returned for what was hyped as Futera’s toughest test so far this season.
Futera got off to the worst possible start and were behind inside two minutes. A drive into the box by the home team’s centre-forward was thwarted by Sanook’s sliding challenge, only for the referee to award a highly dubious penalty. Ayutthaya’s experienced centre-forward stepped up to calmly convert, giving the home side a dream start. Futera, to their credit, dragged themselves back into the game and went close after good work from Beem saw Ninja’s sublime dummy allow Aon to produce a fine strike that was well saved by the Ayutthaya keeper.
Futera’s intense pressing was paying dividends, and they got their reward when Phu escaped down the right flank before cutting inside the full-back to unleash a dipping, curling shot that flew into the top corner for a deserved equaliser. Ayutthaya responded by striking the post with a powerful header from a corner, while at the other end, Aon and Phu both had chances. With half-time approaching, Ninja collected the ball with his back to goal, held off two challenges, and produced an outstanding curling effort that left the home keeper helpless, giving Futera a 2-1 half-time lead.
The second half kicked off with Futera going close through Phu’s angled drive, which was well saved by the Ayutthaya keeper. Ayutthaya drew level from a corner, which was fired across the box to the back post, where the unmarked striker gleefully slotted home to make the score 2-2.
Credit to both teams, in stifling conditions, as they pressed for a winner. Futera went close with a number of long-range efforts, while Ayutthaya always looked a threat. The referee blew the whistle on an entertaining game that finished 2-2, ensuring both teams remain unbeaten this season.
A tough game for Futera against one of the favourites for the title saw them earn a creditable point. The team showed real character to come from behind early on, dominate the game, and edge ahead at half-time. Two outstanding goals from Phu and Ninja showed what an incredibly talented team we are. After Ayutthaya’s equaliser in the second half, the team as a whole stood firm and were willing to take the game to the home team in search of a winner. A strange, surreal atmosphere following the events of the previous day may have been the reason Futera started so slowly, but real credit to the whole team as they battled and produced some outstanding football to remain unbeaten as we go into a mini-break for the Songkran holidays.