Both sides were unable to activate the scoreboard in the first half of the match, played at Ranong's Provincial Stadium.
In the second half, at about 7.17pm, there was a power blackout prompting officials to halt the match temporarily for about half-an-hour, until 8.05pm when most of the lights came back on and the match resumed.
Soon thereafter, Phuket FC's Japanese defender Yusuke Sato scored the match's first goal on the 63-minute mark. About 13 minutes later, Rayong's African striker Fofana Djade scored the equaliser.
With still plenty of time on the clock, about half-an-hour after the initial black out, the lights went out again, with no assurance that they'd be restored again in a timely manner, and as the halted time rapidly exceeded the allocated 60 minutes, before the host team would be obligated to forfeit according to league rules, it looked like the visitors would be awarded an easy three points.
However, Phuket FC coaching staff made the decision not to press for a forfeit, citing an appeal to the “spirit” of the game, and instead agreed to concede a draw with the final score still at 1-1.
The point bumped Phuket FC up one spot into 6th place of the 12-team Division 2 South, though results in tonight's matches could bump them back down a spot or two. The point also ensured that Ranong's “Andaman Sharks” remain in 3rd place of the league with 13 points.
Phuket now return home, ready to host first placed Surathani FC “Roosters” (15 points) on Saturday, May 21, at Surakul Stadium with a 6pm kick off.
The Phuket News is a proud media sponsor of Phuket FC.
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