The Sea Fang put in a heroic performance against league leaders BG Pathum United, and despite going to 10-men, returned from LEO Stadium with a valuable point.

Masatada Ishii’s side is one of the three teams who are unbeaten after lockdown alongside BG Pathum United and Sukhothai FC.

A key figure in the team is none other than Thailand midfielder Peeradol Chamrasamee who also captained the side and has only missed 35 minutes of first team football this season.

Chakkit Laptrakul return to haunt his old club, heading in Jaroensak Wonggorn’s cross for the opener in the 3rd minute of the game. Spanish midfielder Daniel Garcia Rodriguez aka Toti, pulled one back for BG Pathum United with a clinical freekick on the 25 minutes. A long period of pressure from BGPU followed Samut Prakan were reduced to 10-men just after half-time when Jakkapan Praisuwan was awarded his second yellow for a late challenge.

The win was on the horizon for BGPU when they were awarded a penalty on the 70th minute. Big centre-back Victor Cardozo making no mistake from the spot-kick – taking his goal tally 5 for the season.

However, BGPU advantage only lasted 7 minutes – Peeradol, with a intelligent bit of improvisation, released Jaroensak with a quick freekick from just outside the opposition’s box. The right-winger’s hard drilled cross found it’s way to Chayawat Srinawong who converted from point blank range.

“I saw the [BGPU] wall turning their back at us and Tae (Jaroensak) made eye-contact with me so I nod as a signal to play it quick. As soon as I put the ball down, I set him free.” Peeradol recalled the moment which led to his side’s vital equalizer.

Samut Prakan City’s excellent form post-lockdown is a huge contrast to what they manage in the first four matches of 2020 – something Peeradol believe is down to luck and hard work.

“To be honest, even though we suffered three straight defeats and a draw, I felt we played alright and showed signs of positives in the first four matches. Things didn’t fall for us in certain games but we’ve been working hard after the Covid-19 lockdown to improve our results and escape the relegation zone.”

Peeradol’s leadership and confidence in his teammate to get out of sticky situations is clearly for everyone to see after Jakkapan Praisuwan’s sending off. The 28 years old was vocal, composed under pressure and aggressive when winning the ball back. He was the reason Samut Prakan didn’t panic and stuck to Ishii’s game plan they’ve been working on all week.

Playing alongside Yuto Ono in central midfield, Peeradol insist his team continues playing out from the back despite BGPU’s high defensive line. Thanks to Peeradol’s calmness and understanding with his teammates, the visitors were able to bypass BGPU’s defensive shape on many occasion. Thus forcing the home team to back off little by little.

“I love it,” answered Peeradol when asked whether he enjoy playing out from the back “in training we would always build up from the keeper. When we went down to 10-men our goalie, Mike (Patiwat Khammai), asked me whether or not we should play out as usual. And I repeat to everyone, even with 10-men, that we’ll keep playing the same way.”

“I felt everyone was more motivated after we went down to 10-men. That’s why we got the points today.”

Made by Chamchuri United and snatched up by Muangthong United, Peeradol was loaned out to experience senior football with Pattaya United in 2015 where he featured 30 times across all competitions. The highly rated youngster returned to win the league and league cup double with Muangthong United in 2016 but was used sparingly and loaned back to Pattaya United again in 2017.

The transfer was made permanent in 2018 before the club decided to renamed and relocated to Samut Prakan the following year. Defender Jakkapan Praisuwan, goalkeepr Patiwat Khammai and forward Chayawat Srinawong are a few example of players in the current Samut Prakan City squad that has been playing with Peeradol since the Muangthong or Pattaya United days.

Before leaving for the team bus, Peeradol added that his confidence in the team stem from the squad’s time together and share an almost telepathy-understanding between one another.

Samut Prakan City lie 12th on the Thai League table with 10 points from 9 games, level with Buriram United and Muangthong United who have a game in hand. This Saturday, Peeradol and friend is set to face Suphanburi FC, winless in their 4 outings, at the Samut Prakarn SAT Stadium, kick-off at 18:00 local time.