As it's FA Cup semi final day, I thought I'd look back at Chonburi's first appearance at this stage of the competition. In those days, the first named team drawn out of the hat were awarded with a home tie so we had to travel to Bangkok to face Army at the Royal Thai Army Stadium. Here's what happened:
Army 0-2 Chonburi
Date: Saturday 30th October, 2010
Venue: Royal Thai Army Stadium
H-T Army 0-2 Chonburi
Chonburi booked their place in next month's FA Cup final, courtesy of two first half goals from Pipob On-Mo. In the other semi-final tie, Muang Thong United beat Navy Rayong 1-0.
Match Report
A businesslike performance from Chonburi rather than a spectacular one but good enough to get us through to our first FA Cup final. Everyone had been in a rather subdued mood on the bus during the trip up to Bangkok. Memories of our last visit to the Royal Thai Army Stadium still fresh in our minds and the feeling that the result wasn't a foregone conclusion. However, things perked up as we arrived at the ground and started mingling with 1,200 other Chonburians who had made the journey. And, inside, there was certainly a good atmosphere on the away terrace, with plenty of colour and noise.
Out on the pitch, the players were obviously concentrating hard and all looked in a very determined frame of mind. As is nearly always the case in these type of games, an early goal works wonders for everyone's nerves and confidence. Thankfully we managed to break the deadlock within the first ten minutes - when Pipob On-Mo was quickest to react after Suttinun Phukhom's header came back off the bar - and, in all honesty, there only ever looked like being one winner after that. The same player added a second shortly afterwards and the home side seemed to accept their inevitable fate. Indeed, for the rest of the opening period only one or two rather questionable offside calls by the linesman, in front of the Chonburi supporters, prevented us from increasing our lead.
The second half was mainly a non-event as Chonburi shut up shop and the Army huffed and puffed without ever really threatening. There were one or two nervy moments but these were due to our penchant for passing the ball around the backline and a bumpy pitch rather than anything created by those in green. At the other end we also had a couple of good opportunities but a lack of composure and some wayward finishing meant that we had to settle for two nil.
The final whistle was greeted with huge cheers and much celebrating. People were already making plans for the 28th of November and what is sure to be one of the biggest days in the Thai domestic calendar. Let's just hope that the authorities don't mess everything up, which, unfortunately, is something they seem to excel at.
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