National team striker Javier Patiño fired a spectacular goal for Ratchaburi Mitr Pohl, while Michael Falkesgaard produced sensational saves for Bangkok United as Filipino players once again sparkled for their respective clubs in the Thai Premier League over the weekend.
Hardly making his presence felt for reigning champion Buriram in the early part of the season, Patiño has now found the back of the net three times since moving on loan to Ratchaburi, which settled for a 1-1 draw with PTT Rayong, to stay at eighth spot on the table with 29 points.
More than showing their worth for their clubs, the Azkals are looking to impress coach Scott Cooper, who will be checking out the players’ performances as he finalizes the lineup for the first two matches of the World Cup Qualifiers.
Another Filipino, Amin Nazari, played a cameo role in the draw for Ratchaburi, while Manny Ott remained sidelined due to an injury.
With Azkals midfielder Kevin Ingreso and defender Stephan Palla on the starting lineup, Buriram scraped past Trat FC, 1-0, to maintain its one-point lead at the top.
A Filipino player was also involved in the biggest match of the weekend as Martin Steuble once again proved solid for Port FC, which pulled off a stunning 2-0 win over Muangthong United to climb to third spot with 40 points.
Steuble has been a rock for Port, starting almost every match since he moved from Ceres Negros in late July. Muangthong continued to miss Daisuke Sato, who suffered an injury in his debut for the club last month.
Falkesgaard kept another clean sheet as Bangkok United walloped Chainat Hornbill, 2-0.
Bangkok actually ended a four-game winless run to jack up its tally to 38 points as Falkesgaard pulled off a string of stops in the second half.