Thursday 31 October 2019
The Death Of Bang Phra/The Birth Of Pattaya Utd: 2008
Thai Football Webboard thread form November and December, 2008, on the death of Bang Phra and the birth of Pattaya Utd.
Please click on the images to enlarge.
One Belgian Tired Of All The Waffle by Matt Riley: 2014
Ratchaburi general manager, Robert Procureur is gearing up for his club's historic FA Cup final appearance by featuring in a lot of the pre match press conferences and publicity Here's Matt Riley's 2014 article about the colourful Belgian, who has a long association with Thai football.
Fight the Power: One Belgian tired of all the waffle
by Matt Riley
In an extraordinary outburst today, BEC Tero's Director of Football Robert Procureur threw the gauntlet down to the hapless FAT and accused referees of corruption. Robert had a list of specific grievances at yesterday's away draw to Police United, but he widened the debate to highlight how clubs have developed the league and their investment has created such a popular product, but they have to sit passively by whilst a procession of poorly trained and questionable officials are forced on them by the FAT.
Perhaps the most incendiary comment from Robert was that, from today, his club would decide who was allowed to referee at their stadium. As he explained less than delicately:
"All the referees who shaft us, will go out of BEC Tero. They cannot come to make referee [sic] at BEC Tero. We start now and I will put the names on the website."
He then went on to plant more verbal landmines with his next comments:
"All the referees who are corrupted are going to go out of BEC.... if the league cannot make the jump, then we are going to make the jump."
That these comments went out through the official BEC Tero Firedragons Youtube channel also suggests that the club support the strong words from the Belgian former football director of SCG Muang Thong, a club whose owners also control the FAT.
Baiting the FAT like this is likely to bring sanctions both on Robert personally and the club for promoting his message, but it will force a debate about how referees are placed in matches and the process used to select certain officials at certain clubs and for matches with varying levels of importance. There are two highly problematic areas here for Thai football. Some clubs have huge leverage with referee associations and the FAT, making the awarding of penalties, the issuing of red cards and free kicks on the edge of the area unnaturally skewed in their favour at home matches. There is also the bigger question of why it is that a team challenging for the title appears to come in for so much bad luck away from home.
In England there is a clear and transparent process at work which is sent out every Monday. A set of criteria is followed to ensure that each referee has been carefully vetted. His recent officiating grades are analysed, his position in the merit table, his overall experience and how often they have refereed the clubs involved. They even check where he was born and lived as well as the obvious one of who he supports to arrive at a dynamic, not faultless, but workable system.
This is not rocket science but, by failing to follow anything like that level of rigour, Thai football appears to be using referees as a commodity to be bought and sold rather than as upholders of the rules of the game. That is a recipe for disaster.
Fight the Power: One Belgian tired of all the waffle
by Matt Riley
In an extraordinary outburst today, BEC Tero's Director of Football Robert Procureur threw the gauntlet down to the hapless FAT and accused referees of corruption. Robert had a list of specific grievances at yesterday's away draw to Police United, but he widened the debate to highlight how clubs have developed the league and their investment has created such a popular product, but they have to sit passively by whilst a procession of poorly trained and questionable officials are forced on them by the FAT.
Perhaps the most incendiary comment from Robert was that, from today, his club would decide who was allowed to referee at their stadium. As he explained less than delicately:
"All the referees who shaft us, will go out of BEC Tero. They cannot come to make referee [sic] at BEC Tero. We start now and I will put the names on the website."
He then went on to plant more verbal landmines with his next comments:
"All the referees who are corrupted are going to go out of BEC.... if the league cannot make the jump, then we are going to make the jump."
That these comments went out through the official BEC Tero Firedragons Youtube channel also suggests that the club support the strong words from the Belgian former football director of SCG Muang Thong, a club whose owners also control the FAT.
Baiting the FAT like this is likely to bring sanctions both on Robert personally and the club for promoting his message, but it will force a debate about how referees are placed in matches and the process used to select certain officials at certain clubs and for matches with varying levels of importance. There are two highly problematic areas here for Thai football. Some clubs have huge leverage with referee associations and the FAT, making the awarding of penalties, the issuing of red cards and free kicks on the edge of the area unnaturally skewed in their favour at home matches. There is also the bigger question of why it is that a team challenging for the title appears to come in for so much bad luck away from home.
In England there is a clear and transparent process at work which is sent out every Monday. A set of criteria is followed to ensure that each referee has been carefully vetted. His recent officiating grades are analysed, his position in the merit table, his overall experience and how often they have refereed the clubs involved. They even check where he was born and lived as well as the obvious one of who he supports to arrive at a dynamic, not faultless, but workable system.
This is not rocket science but, by failing to follow anything like that level of rigour, Thai football appears to be using referees as a commodity to be bought and sold rather than as upholders of the rules of the game. That is a recipe for disaster.
Thai Football Webboard - FA Cup Final Thread: 2010
The Thai Football Webboard 2010 FA Cup final thread. Click on the photos to enlarge.
A Grand Day Out by Paul Hewitt: 2010
CHONBURI 2-1 MUANG THONG UTD: THE 2010 FA CUP FINAL
by Paul Hewitt
It's enjoyable to be a tourist again for a day. To stumble around Bangkok with a bag over one shoulder, map in hand and, carrying on one's face, a look of wide-eyed wonder, confusion and apprehension. OK, I exaggerate. It's true that I'm not at all familiar with Bangkok - save for the 182 bus route from Morchit bus station to Rajamangala Stadium - but thanks to some thorough directions posted by 'Wolfman' on this website, I felt sufficiently armed to find my way from Morchit to Suphachalasai.
My last visit to the best national stadium in Bangkok was as long ago as November 2007 when Thailand played Yemen in the second leg of the second round of the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers (I believe it to be the last time Thailand played at the Suphachalasai in a competitive match, but I'm happy to be corrected.). At that time the domestic game was, for the most part, about as appetizing as the shredded pork & mayonnaise filled croissant which I received on the 08:40 Korat to Bangkok bus I arrived on today.
The skytrain ride from Morchit to National Stadium was effectively a new experience for me: the last time I used the BTS I actually was a tourist in Thailand. The view of Suphachalasai and her younger brother Thephasadin from the platform of National Stadium station is a pleasing one. The two arenas lower the skyline of the area, providing much needed relief from the oppressive, hyperbolic excesses of the towering surroundings.
I arrived at the stadium at about one just as security personnel were erecting railings outside the east and west stands to segregate Chonburi and Muang Thong fans. If you want my two-pennies' worth, it was over-the-top. Yes: segregate fans inside the stadium. Yes: segregate fans outside the stadium after the game. But before the game, when everyone is in a positive frame of mind and will naturally gravitate toward their end of the ground anyway, it was unnecessary and damaging. 'Damaging' because I can guarantee you that Thai fans, whatever their club colours, will mingle happily before a game at least.
These physical barriers will put barriers in people's minds, but it looks like it will be the norm for Suphachalasai finals from now on. Thai security at public events knows two shades: non-existent or wildly over-the-top. Yesterday, it was the latter, and it was a huge shame. Think I'm being a touchy farang objecting to something which didn't bother anyone else? Then see the reaction of Chonburi fans mocking the security 'forces' with jeers of "Left. Right. Left-right-left" as they pointlessly entered the Chonburi end during the match.
Anyway, back to lighter matters. I was standing in the southeast corner of the Suphachalasai site when the Chonburi team bus arrived at about two. Those who know the ground will be familiar with the crossroads there. Now, you would expect the bus to turn left, drive behind the southern end and then do a right and so deposit its crucial cargo outside the main entrance of the west stand wherein lie the changing rooms. Instead, the bus stopped at the crossroads, the entire squad and coaching staff alighted - of course, only to be mobbed by adoring fans - the empty bus now made its way round the southern end as described, to leave the squad to strangely wander off behind the east stand. Within minutes, they all came back the way they had gone and sheepishly followed the route their passenger-less bus had taken ten minutes earlier! This time the fans let the players pass without delaying them. A few senior fans were even telling youngsters to "stand back, let them through. They have to prepare.". The younger fans duly heeded these instructions.
Without wanting to labour the point, do fans that display this much restraint and common sense need overbearing security? No. They clearly don't. As they promised they would, hundreds of Thai Port fans made the short journey from Khlong Toey to support Chonburi for the day. For me, the jury's out on their presence. On the one hand, they added colour, noise and numbers to the attendance, and, I believe, they all behaved themselves. On the other hand, most were only there because they dislike Muang Thong; not because they have a genuine affinity with Chonburi.
Personally, I feel there was a touch of self-importance in the triumphalism of their 'motorcade' arrival. As is now traditional when Thai Port play at Suphachalasai, several hundred cars and motorbikes laden with orange and blue clad fans travel simultaneously from Khlong Toey. But, of course, Thai Port weren't playing. They had their day out at the League Cup final two weeks ago. By all means come and watch the match, but personally I could have done without the 'Beep-beep! Honk-honk! Hey, everyone! Look! We're here now!' Just my feelings. I dare say no one else had a problem with it.
We squeezed into the stadium (literally: there was a crush at gate 16) just before four, again amid questionable security: I had two bottles of water confiscated but my aerosol deodorant (it was a long day!) didn't interest them, and my ticket wasn't checked. I had expected to emerge to a sea of red and blue, but the stadium wasn't as full as I had hoped. Once everyone had got in - about half an hour into the match - I put the attendance at 15,000; five thousand fewer than Muang Thong's highest gate of the season. Odd.
I'll spare you a match report: my memory shames me and my knowledge of the two teams is weaker than it should be. As you must know, Chonburi won 2-1 after extra time to become the first provincial club to win the FA Cup in the modern era (that is, since the inception of the TPL/Pro League). A fitting accolade for the first provincial club to win the TPL. Unlike the terrors I've endured getting away from the Rajamangala, the journey back was hassle-free: Skytrain to Morchit; motorbike taxi to Morchit bus station; direct bus back to the old bus station in Korat; ten-minute walk home; job done. A good day out. Well done Chonburi - about time you won another trophy. I'll see you back there next year.
by Paul Hewitt
My last visit to the best national stadium in Bangkok was as long ago as November 2007 when Thailand played Yemen in the second leg of the second round of the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers (I believe it to be the last time Thailand played at the Suphachalasai in a competitive match, but I'm happy to be corrected.). At that time the domestic game was, for the most part, about as appetizing as the shredded pork & mayonnaise filled croissant which I received on the 08:40 Korat to Bangkok bus I arrived on today.
The skytrain ride from Morchit to National Stadium was effectively a new experience for me: the last time I used the BTS I actually was a tourist in Thailand. The view of Suphachalasai and her younger brother Thephasadin from the platform of National Stadium station is a pleasing one. The two arenas lower the skyline of the area, providing much needed relief from the oppressive, hyperbolic excesses of the towering surroundings.
I arrived at the stadium at about one just as security personnel were erecting railings outside the east and west stands to segregate Chonburi and Muang Thong fans. If you want my two-pennies' worth, it was over-the-top. Yes: segregate fans inside the stadium. Yes: segregate fans outside the stadium after the game. But before the game, when everyone is in a positive frame of mind and will naturally gravitate toward their end of the ground anyway, it was unnecessary and damaging. 'Damaging' because I can guarantee you that Thai fans, whatever their club colours, will mingle happily before a game at least.
These physical barriers will put barriers in people's minds, but it looks like it will be the norm for Suphachalasai finals from now on. Thai security at public events knows two shades: non-existent or wildly over-the-top. Yesterday, it was the latter, and it was a huge shame. Think I'm being a touchy farang objecting to something which didn't bother anyone else? Then see the reaction of Chonburi fans mocking the security 'forces' with jeers of "Left. Right. Left-right-left" as they pointlessly entered the Chonburi end during the match.
Anyway, back to lighter matters. I was standing in the southeast corner of the Suphachalasai site when the Chonburi team bus arrived at about two. Those who know the ground will be familiar with the crossroads there. Now, you would expect the bus to turn left, drive behind the southern end and then do a right and so deposit its crucial cargo outside the main entrance of the west stand wherein lie the changing rooms. Instead, the bus stopped at the crossroads, the entire squad and coaching staff alighted - of course, only to be mobbed by adoring fans - the empty bus now made its way round the southern end as described, to leave the squad to strangely wander off behind the east stand. Within minutes, they all came back the way they had gone and sheepishly followed the route their passenger-less bus had taken ten minutes earlier! This time the fans let the players pass without delaying them. A few senior fans were even telling youngsters to "stand back, let them through. They have to prepare.". The younger fans duly heeded these instructions.
Without wanting to labour the point, do fans that display this much restraint and common sense need overbearing security? No. They clearly don't. As they promised they would, hundreds of Thai Port fans made the short journey from Khlong Toey to support Chonburi for the day. For me, the jury's out on their presence. On the one hand, they added colour, noise and numbers to the attendance, and, I believe, they all behaved themselves. On the other hand, most were only there because they dislike Muang Thong; not because they have a genuine affinity with Chonburi.
Personally, I feel there was a touch of self-importance in the triumphalism of their 'motorcade' arrival. As is now traditional when Thai Port play at Suphachalasai, several hundred cars and motorbikes laden with orange and blue clad fans travel simultaneously from Khlong Toey. But, of course, Thai Port weren't playing. They had their day out at the League Cup final two weeks ago. By all means come and watch the match, but personally I could have done without the 'Beep-beep! Honk-honk! Hey, everyone! Look! We're here now!' Just my feelings. I dare say no one else had a problem with it.
We squeezed into the stadium (literally: there was a crush at gate 16) just before four, again amid questionable security: I had two bottles of water confiscated but my aerosol deodorant (it was a long day!) didn't interest them, and my ticket wasn't checked. I had expected to emerge to a sea of red and blue, but the stadium wasn't as full as I had hoped. Once everyone had got in - about half an hour into the match - I put the attendance at 15,000; five thousand fewer than Muang Thong's highest gate of the season. Odd.
I'll spare you a match report: my memory shames me and my knowledge of the two teams is weaker than it should be. As you must know, Chonburi won 2-1 after extra time to become the first provincial club to win the FA Cup in the modern era (that is, since the inception of the TPL/Pro League). A fitting accolade for the first provincial club to win the TPL. Unlike the terrors I've endured getting away from the Rajamangala, the journey back was hassle-free: Skytrain to Morchit; motorbike taxi to Morchit bus station; direct bus back to the old bus station in Korat; ten-minute walk home; job done. A good day out. Well done Chonburi - about time you won another trophy. I'll see you back there next year.
31/10/07 Navy 0-1 Chonburi - Highlights
Highlights from Chonburi's 1-0 win at Navy on October 31st, 2007. A big stride towards the TPL title.
Wednesday 30 October 2019
FA Cup Final Preview by Nathan Hall: 2010
In 2010, a young Australian coach called Nathan Hall was working under current Chonburi boss, Sasom Pobprasert, at Thai Port. He very kindly gave up some of his time to answer a few questions as part of my build up to that season's FA Cup final. Here's what he had to say:
Q : Having pitted your wits against both Chonburi and Muang Thong United this season, what would you consider to be each team’s strengths?
I’ll start with Muang Thong: They are obviously the benchmark at the moment in the TPL and rightly so. When they are on song and playing to their potential, they are very difficult to beat and sometimes even difficult to compete against for forty five minutes, let alone the full ninety. Physically they are extremely strong, and I don’t just mean size. Aerobically and an-aerobically they are all very fit and all eleven players work for each other for ninety minutes. They also have good speed &andpenetration in the wide areas, and Teerasil is a real handful up front; he is physically strong, has great technique, is very mobile and gets into good positions consistently around the box.
Combine all that with the best defence in the TPL then you have a pretty damn good team. They are also well coached and extremely well organised. Rene has obviously put in some time and effort on the training ground and it’s paying dividends. Probably the big difference (in my opinion) between Muang Thong and Chonburi is the speed at which Muang Thong attack. They can go from keeping possession, passing the ball from left to right for a few minutes then, bang!, they can hit you with a killer pass or a player making a quality forward run into the box etc.
They are very difficult to predict and also are devastating on the counter attack. Chonburi have to be tactically very disciplined on Sunday to have a chance of winning. Chonburi: There is no denying Chonburi have a good team, they do! But they have to be at their absolute best, and I mean each player playing to his maximum, if they want to take the FA Cup back to Chonburi. Muang Thong probably also have to be slightly off their game if Chonburi are to have a chance of winning. I’m not one to make predictions but from what I have seen and heard of the Chonburi side from two or three years ago, they are not the team they once were.
Even when we played them at PAT Stadium and lost 2-1, I have no idea how we lost that game. We gave away a stupid penalty and made a terrible mistake to gift them a second goal. In the second half we honestly had probably ten good chances, with five of those being golden chances to score. It just wasn’t our day in front of goal! If Chonburi defend like that on Sunday, then I’ll be backing Muang Thong to capitalize on that and knock a few into the back of the net.
In terms of their strengths, they have proven big match experience. I’m sure Jadet will be drawing on all that from his chargers on Sunday. Experience is crucial in big games and the Chonburi players have bundles of it. I’m also sure Jadet will have his team extremely well prepared on Sunday, with every player knowing his role on the pitch. Chonburi are technically a very good team. They keep possession well, they keep their shape and they can frustrate teams because they are masters at keeping the ball. They will probably find it a little more difficult on Sunday because I think Muang Thong will press them all over the park and take the game to them.
But if they can keep possession and show some quality in the final third - which everybody knows they have- then, who knows!?
Q : And their weaknesses?
Muang Thong: Cockiness! Will they get too far ahead of themselves? I doubt it, but top teams sometimes do! Being put under fierce pressure. We did it at Muang Thong and lost 1-0 in the last minute after playing with ten men for almost the whole second half. We took the game to them, got close to them and they didn’t like that. Chonburi physically are not as fit as Thai Port, so the question remains, can they do that for ninety, or one hundred and twenty minutes? If they can, then you’ll see some Muang Thong mistakes.
Chonburi: Physically they are not as strong as Muang Thong. Defensively they can switch off and, if they do that on Sunday, they will get punished. Man-for-man they are not as quick as Muang Thong, except for Suree, who still does a great job. Can they track Muang Thong runners for ninety minutes? Can they get close enough to Muang Thong? Can they handle Teerasil? These are all things we will find out on Sunday...
Q : Which players from both teams have impressed you?
Muang Thong Many have impressed me but the main ones are: Teerasil – I agree with Steve Darby & Bryan Robson about him being good enough to play Championship level in the England. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind he can do that. It’s whether he wants to! Will he sacrifice his Thai food and lifestyle in Thailand to move onto bigger and better things? Only time will tell...
Datsakorn – May not possess great power or make the forward runs he use to, but he still has great feel for the ball and fantastic vision. A player who can make the difference.
Panupong & Nattaporn – Make a great defensive partnership. They are quick, aggressive, good in the air and very hard to beat one-on-one. They can also play a bit as well...
Chonburi I actually haven’t watched much of them this year, but the ones who have impressed me are:
Suree – Is still a quality player. Physically is the Cafu of Thailand, gets forward and back for ninety minutes and is an all-round quality defender. If he could cross the ball a bit more accurately he would be playing in Japan or Korea.
Ney Fabiano – Did quite well against us at PAT Stadium a few months ago and looks to be fitter and is enjoying his football again. I’m actually not sure if he is cup-tied.* If he’s not, he has the quality to take a chance on Sunday and make a difference in the match.
*Webmaster’s note: He is!
Q : The two coaches are very different in their approach. What do you consider to be each man’s major strength?
I’ll start with Muang Thong Rene: Has great experience and has managed some good European teams as well as managing in the J-league. Has a no nonsense approach and, from what I have seen, you are either with him or against him. If you are with him (as a player) he will back you all the way! I don’t know much about Muang Thong’s training program or fitness regime but its looks from the outside that they are doing all the right things and you could probably put that down to the influence of Rene & Robert.
The good thing about more and more foreign coaches coming to the TPL is not only do they have exceptionally high standards but they take action. They get to work straight away and instil immediate discipline. He has definitely been a good acquisition for Muang Thong!
Jadet: To be honest, I know very little about him. So I would only be speculating about what his main strengths are. From the dugout though, he looks like a fairly placid man who doesn’t get very emotional or say too much on the sideline but probably has a very strong influence inside the dressing room. He has good experience and knows how to win football matches.
Q : What are you expecting from the final?
I am expecting a tough game. Like any FA Cup final would be anywhere in the world. To be honest, I’m not really quite sure what to expect! I think Muang Thong will come out of the blocks firing, looking for an early goal, which would put Chonburi on the back foot immediately. I think it’s imperative that Chonburi keep it tight and compact, and don’t leave too much space in behind for the first fifteen to twenty minutes, until they settle into the game.
I’m expecting both teams to have spells of possession but Muang Thong to have more possession higher up the field and to create more chances than Chonburi. How Chonburi handle the constant Muang Thong attacks will determine the outcome of the match. If they defend well, by staying tight to their man and by being aggressive in key moments, they have a chance. As I mentioned, Chonburi will have their fair share of possession, so they will also have chances. The question is, can they take one? I wish both teams the very best of luck and hope the best team on the day comes out on top.
Q : Will you be at the match?
Unfortunately no! I will be just flying into Sydney. I’m having four weeks holiday and catching up with family and friends before heading back to Thailand after Christmas to take Thai Port through their paces in pre-season training.
Q : This time last season Thai Port won the FA Cup. What does it mean to a club to be the winners of this competition?
It means everything. Winning is why we play football and what drives me every day to keep improving and learning more as a coach. Winning is what pro football is all about! Obviously getting to the final after so many knockout games during the season is a great achievement but when you get there the last thing you want to do is lose. The beauty about a cup match is the underdog always has a chance.
Last year Thai Port were the underdogs but the boys ultimately came out on top. Even though I think Muang Thong will have a little bit too much for their opponents, with the type of football Chonburi play, and given the fact they can keep the ball better than almost every team in the TPL, they have a chance. It’s also a direct entry into the AFC Cup; which is the level that you want to test yourself at as a player or coach. Competing against other top teams in Asia!
I think if you ask any player who has played in the AFC Cup or ACL they would regard it as being a career highlight. Some of the best times I had this year at Thai Port were away in Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuwait. Not only is it a fantastic life experience but the team really does share some great and memorable moments on tour.
Q : Would you like to make a score prediction?
I’ve never been a good better at the best of times but here we go. Muang Thong to edge it 2-1 in extra time. Don’t put money on that though...
Q : Having pitted your wits against both Chonburi and Muang Thong United this season, what would you consider to be each team’s strengths?
I’ll start with Muang Thong: They are obviously the benchmark at the moment in the TPL and rightly so. When they are on song and playing to their potential, they are very difficult to beat and sometimes even difficult to compete against for forty five minutes, let alone the full ninety. Physically they are extremely strong, and I don’t just mean size. Aerobically and an-aerobically they are all very fit and all eleven players work for each other for ninety minutes. They also have good speed &andpenetration in the wide areas, and Teerasil is a real handful up front; he is physically strong, has great technique, is very mobile and gets into good positions consistently around the box.
Combine all that with the best defence in the TPL then you have a pretty damn good team. They are also well coached and extremely well organised. Rene has obviously put in some time and effort on the training ground and it’s paying dividends. Probably the big difference (in my opinion) between Muang Thong and Chonburi is the speed at which Muang Thong attack. They can go from keeping possession, passing the ball from left to right for a few minutes then, bang!, they can hit you with a killer pass or a player making a quality forward run into the box etc.
They are very difficult to predict and also are devastating on the counter attack. Chonburi have to be tactically very disciplined on Sunday to have a chance of winning. Chonburi: There is no denying Chonburi have a good team, they do! But they have to be at their absolute best, and I mean each player playing to his maximum, if they want to take the FA Cup back to Chonburi. Muang Thong probably also have to be slightly off their game if Chonburi are to have a chance of winning. I’m not one to make predictions but from what I have seen and heard of the Chonburi side from two or three years ago, they are not the team they once were.
Even when we played them at PAT Stadium and lost 2-1, I have no idea how we lost that game. We gave away a stupid penalty and made a terrible mistake to gift them a second goal. In the second half we honestly had probably ten good chances, with five of those being golden chances to score. It just wasn’t our day in front of goal! If Chonburi defend like that on Sunday, then I’ll be backing Muang Thong to capitalize on that and knock a few into the back of the net.
In terms of their strengths, they have proven big match experience. I’m sure Jadet will be drawing on all that from his chargers on Sunday. Experience is crucial in big games and the Chonburi players have bundles of it. I’m also sure Jadet will have his team extremely well prepared on Sunday, with every player knowing his role on the pitch. Chonburi are technically a very good team. They keep possession well, they keep their shape and they can frustrate teams because they are masters at keeping the ball. They will probably find it a little more difficult on Sunday because I think Muang Thong will press them all over the park and take the game to them.
But if they can keep possession and show some quality in the final third - which everybody knows they have- then, who knows!?
Q : And their weaknesses?
Muang Thong: Cockiness! Will they get too far ahead of themselves? I doubt it, but top teams sometimes do! Being put under fierce pressure. We did it at Muang Thong and lost 1-0 in the last minute after playing with ten men for almost the whole second half. We took the game to them, got close to them and they didn’t like that. Chonburi physically are not as fit as Thai Port, so the question remains, can they do that for ninety, or one hundred and twenty minutes? If they can, then you’ll see some Muang Thong mistakes.
Chonburi: Physically they are not as strong as Muang Thong. Defensively they can switch off and, if they do that on Sunday, they will get punished. Man-for-man they are not as quick as Muang Thong, except for Suree, who still does a great job. Can they track Muang Thong runners for ninety minutes? Can they get close enough to Muang Thong? Can they handle Teerasil? These are all things we will find out on Sunday...
Q : Which players from both teams have impressed you?
Muang Thong Many have impressed me but the main ones are: Teerasil – I agree with Steve Darby & Bryan Robson about him being good enough to play Championship level in the England. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind he can do that. It’s whether he wants to! Will he sacrifice his Thai food and lifestyle in Thailand to move onto bigger and better things? Only time will tell...
Datsakorn – May not possess great power or make the forward runs he use to, but he still has great feel for the ball and fantastic vision. A player who can make the difference.
Panupong & Nattaporn – Make a great defensive partnership. They are quick, aggressive, good in the air and very hard to beat one-on-one. They can also play a bit as well...
Chonburi I actually haven’t watched much of them this year, but the ones who have impressed me are:
Suree – Is still a quality player. Physically is the Cafu of Thailand, gets forward and back for ninety minutes and is an all-round quality defender. If he could cross the ball a bit more accurately he would be playing in Japan or Korea.
Ney Fabiano – Did quite well against us at PAT Stadium a few months ago and looks to be fitter and is enjoying his football again. I’m actually not sure if he is cup-tied.* If he’s not, he has the quality to take a chance on Sunday and make a difference in the match.
*Webmaster’s note: He is!
Q : The two coaches are very different in their approach. What do you consider to be each man’s major strength?
I’ll start with Muang Thong Rene: Has great experience and has managed some good European teams as well as managing in the J-league. Has a no nonsense approach and, from what I have seen, you are either with him or against him. If you are with him (as a player) he will back you all the way! I don’t know much about Muang Thong’s training program or fitness regime but its looks from the outside that they are doing all the right things and you could probably put that down to the influence of Rene & Robert.
The good thing about more and more foreign coaches coming to the TPL is not only do they have exceptionally high standards but they take action. They get to work straight away and instil immediate discipline. He has definitely been a good acquisition for Muang Thong!
Jadet: To be honest, I know very little about him. So I would only be speculating about what his main strengths are. From the dugout though, he looks like a fairly placid man who doesn’t get very emotional or say too much on the sideline but probably has a very strong influence inside the dressing room. He has good experience and knows how to win football matches.
Q : What are you expecting from the final?
I am expecting a tough game. Like any FA Cup final would be anywhere in the world. To be honest, I’m not really quite sure what to expect! I think Muang Thong will come out of the blocks firing, looking for an early goal, which would put Chonburi on the back foot immediately. I think it’s imperative that Chonburi keep it tight and compact, and don’t leave too much space in behind for the first fifteen to twenty minutes, until they settle into the game.
I’m expecting both teams to have spells of possession but Muang Thong to have more possession higher up the field and to create more chances than Chonburi. How Chonburi handle the constant Muang Thong attacks will determine the outcome of the match. If they defend well, by staying tight to their man and by being aggressive in key moments, they have a chance. As I mentioned, Chonburi will have their fair share of possession, so they will also have chances. The question is, can they take one? I wish both teams the very best of luck and hope the best team on the day comes out on top.
Q : Will you be at the match?
Unfortunately no! I will be just flying into Sydney. I’m having four weeks holiday and catching up with family and friends before heading back to Thailand after Christmas to take Thai Port through their paces in pre-season training.
Q : This time last season Thai Port won the FA Cup. What does it mean to a club to be the winners of this competition?
It means everything. Winning is why we play football and what drives me every day to keep improving and learning more as a coach. Winning is what pro football is all about! Obviously getting to the final after so many knockout games during the season is a great achievement but when you get there the last thing you want to do is lose. The beauty about a cup match is the underdog always has a chance.
Last year Thai Port were the underdogs but the boys ultimately came out on top. Even though I think Muang Thong will have a little bit too much for their opponents, with the type of football Chonburi play, and given the fact they can keep the ball better than almost every team in the TPL, they have a chance. It’s also a direct entry into the AFC Cup; which is the level that you want to test yourself at as a player or coach. Competing against other top teams in Asia!
I think if you ask any player who has played in the AFC Cup or ACL they would regard it as being a career highlight. Some of the best times I had this year at Thai Port were away in Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuwait. Not only is it a fantastic life experience but the team really does share some great and memorable moments on tour.
Q : Would you like to make a score prediction?
I’ve never been a good better at the best of times but here we go. Muang Thong to edge it 2-1 in extra time. Don’t put money on that though...
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