Sports
Chiang Rai United Ties Pattaya in a 3-3 Thriller
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PATTAYA – In an entertaining Thai Premier League game at the Nongprue Stadium on March 16, locally based Pattaya United gave up a 3-1 lead midway through the second half as their battling opponents Chiangrai United staged a thrilling comeback.
The visitors took the lead early in the first half through a powerful downward header from Bruno but this was cancelled out on 37 minutes as Pattaya midfielder Pathompol got on the end of a breakaway and scored from an acute angle.
Dolphins captain Tanasak led by example, shepherding a rebound off a Soony Saad free-kick to give his team a 2-1 advantage and Pattaya then brought on forward Wongsakorn for defender Phranyu in the 59th minute, which paid dividends two minutes later with Soony providing the assist for a Pinto Junior goal from range.  Both teams were playing for the referee’s call which did not work for Chiang Rai, who were caught ball watching on several occasions.
The number of Brazilian players’ presence in the game was felt soon after when Chiangrai’s Rungrath’s cross to Danilo was initially fumbled by the Pattaya goalkeeper for an easy rebound goal to the visitors.
With the game in the balance at 3-2 both teams began to indulge in some fierce challenges, some of them fair and some not, and the award of a dubious penalty to the visitors in the 70th minute did nothing to ease tempers in the Dolphins’ ranks.  Danilo spot-kick was initially saved by Pattiwat but the Brazilian forward tapped in the rebound to put Chiangrai level in the match.