Five Memorable Matches: 2005-2007

1. Korat 1-3 Chonburi
Thailand Pro League 26th June, 2005 

Having already sealed promotion by thrashing Pang Ga 8-1 at Srinthorn the week before, we journeyed to the north east knowing that a win would see us crowned Pro League champions. Having taken the lead midway through the first half, Chonburi were pegged back 4 minutes later when the home side equalised. However, Nikorn Anuwarn eased a few jangling nerves right on the stroke of half time by restoring our one goal advantage.

As the second half progressed the travelling army of 15 were becoming more and more anxious, as the orange shirted home team poured forward in search of the goal that would deny us the title. Fortunately, a strike by Panawut Janta seven minutes from time eased our fears and we could start celebrating our first major trophy win and look forward to life among Thailand's elite.



2. Chonburi 1-3 Thai Port Authority
Thailand Premier League 28th January, 2006

After a wait of seven months we finally got to taste life in the newly structured Thailand Premier League. And how sweet it was. Five minutes into the brand new season, Piopob On-mo had put us in front. We were going to walk this league. Unfortunately two hours later, life wasn't so good. We had been beaten 3-1 by a much better team and learned a few harsh lessons about how tough life was going to be among the big boys.

TPL Record P1 W0 D0 L1 F1 A3 Pts 0



3. Tampines Rovers 3-2 Chonburi (AET)
Singapore Cup Final 26th November, 2006

We were the first overseas club to reach the final of the Singapore Cup. And we twice came within a few seconds of being the first to win it. Goals on 74 minutes by Pipob On-Mo and 76 minutes by Arthit Sunthornphit had sent the 20 visiting fans, plus a few thousand ex-pat Thais into raptures. 2-0 up and looking comfortable. What could possibly go wrong? Whether it was inexperience, nerves or sheer exhaustion Chonburi seemed to stop playing in the last quarter of an hour and this allowed Tampines back into the game. A strike by Aliff Shfaein on 84 minutes was followed by a Santi Chaiyaphuak goal in the dying seconds and the game went into extra time.

Reduced to nine men after the sendings off of Kafoumba and Adul Lahso, we hung on until deep into injury time only to concede a heart-breaking third goal when penalties seemed the likliest outcome. It was a bitter pill to swallow but even this cruellest of defeats can't take away the fact that it had been a memorable weekend. I'll tell you all about Palmy's half time concert and the second half being delayed by 15 minutes due to goalkeeper, Badra Ali's, visit to the toilet another time!



4. Chonburi 3-2 Thai Honda
Thailand Premier League 5th May, 2007 

A reasonable start to the season saw Chonburi sitting in 3rd place after 7 games when mid table Thai Honda came to visit. The decent run had seen crowds grow to about the 1,000 mark but the atmosphere at the Chonburi Municipal Stadium was still more like an English county cricket match than top flight football. But that was all to change thanks to a stunning comeback and a downpour.

We were 2-0 down and staring defeat in the face when it started to rain. Everyone in the main stand moved to the back of the terraces to seek shelter. Suddenly, the atmosphere changed. All being crushed together created a sense of solidarity. The chanting and singing started and, on the field, the players responded. From what had seemed a hopeless situation we were now level and looking for the winner. Roared on by the fans, the team launched wave after wave of attack. When the third goal came it was greeted as if we'd just won the World Cup. A great match and terrace culture had arrived in Chonburi. It took the rest of the country a while to catch up.



5. Chonburi 3-2 Krung Thai Bank 
Thailand Premier League 21st November, 2007

This was to be a remarkable occasion and will live long in the memory of those lucky enough to have been there to witness it. ESPN/Star Sports along with all the Thai news and sports channels had despatched film crews to record the event for prosperity. They weren't to be disappointed. Over 10,000 people, double our regular attendance, had somehow squeezed into the Chonburi Municipal Stadium and the atmosphere was (oh, go on) electric.

The match certainly lived up to its billing. In spite of missing an early penalty Chonburi had surged into a two goal lead by the break and were looking good to make history as the first provincial club to win Thai football's biggest domestic honour. Our chances were further increased when the visitors were reduced to ten men. It was within our grasp now. Of course, it wasn't to be that simple. Feeling that they had nothing to lose, KTB threw everybody forward in an effort to salvage something from the game and keep alive their own faint hopes of lifting the trophy.

This new bold attacking policy paid off, and soon not only were they level but they were looking the likelier side to go on and win it. With my nerves, and those of 10,000 other Chonburians, in tatters the coolest man in the ground, Pipob On-Mo took it upon himself to put us all out of our misery by firing home a late winner. The crowd erupted and the celebrations began in earnest with firecrackers and flares being let off in every part of the ground. The final whistle prompted a good natured pitch invasion and we had done it. CHAMPIONS!!! A fitting end to what had been a wonderful season.