Saturday 30 November 2019
Chonburi v ToT - Video: 2007
Rare video footage of the teams coming out ahead of the Chonburi v ToT TPL match at Chonburi Municipal Stadium on Saturday 22nd September, 2007. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
Thai Fantasy Football Club by Kevin Watkin: 2016
Kevin Watkin shares his plans for building the "perfect" Thai football club.
If you were to build the perfect Thai football club, how would you do it?
I would use a tried and true method to build my club. First, I would buy an established PLT club, with a little (but not too much) past success, a small fan base & a nomadic history (so they won’t be too missed). After considering and dismissing Police, Army & Air Force (histories too entrenched), TTM & TOT (wrong division), Osotspa (busy establishing own facilities), Port (too well-supported), I’ve settled on newly-promoted BBCU (League champs in 1998, but kicked out of Chula Uni in recent seasons) as the perfect club. Bangkok Utd (champs in 2006) would be my back-up plan, but ideally I’d want them to have a disappointing mid-table finish in 2016, to dispel the current optimism around the club.
Location
I would transplant my club to a small provincial capital who currently have a poorly supported Regional League side, owned and run by the local governor, who is conveniently a member of my family. After re-branding my club as Nakhon Nowhere-BBCU, I would then park (“loan/sell”) the bulk of my squad at the RL club, share coaching resources, allowing the smaller club to gain promotion at a canter. Ex-BBCU players who aren’t happy with dropping down a couple of divisions will have their contracts cancelled, but be contractually banned from joining another Thai club.
Chairman/Owner
Me, myself & I; it’s all about me, you see. My face will adorn club advertising, and 95% of interviews and comments in the paper will be given by me. I will portray myself as a lifelong football fan, and speak of how it’s been my dream for years to see top-flight football and facilities to Nakhon Nowhere. The fact I achieved none of this during my many years as NN’s governor and MP will be overlooked. There will be no suggestion that this is my way of remaining relevant in my fiefdom after receiving a ban from politics.
Head Coach
Coaches would be hired and fired in quick succession, until the right yes man was found. This would include big name Thais as well as foreigners. Success in the role is far less important than accepting my orders on team selection & substitutions, and allowing to me to give team talks on camera before each half of games.
The coach will also do sideline duty for the RL team, although, on paper, NNFC will be coached by someone else, as they stroll to promotion from the Regional League and Division 1 in successive seasons. Once promoted to the PLT, we will merge the 2 clubs, forming Nakhon Nowhere Utd, with BBCU’s history forgotten, and I will recoup some of the money spent by selling a place in the PLT to a friend who has grown impatient with his own team’s inability to gain promotion.
Thai players
We will spend big on stockpiling national team and fringe NT players, many of whom are happy to be bit-part players behind foreign imports but still collect a fat pay cheque. These players will also be prepared to suffer “injuries”, forget passports, and make public statements, to undermine club and national team coaches, as I see fit.
We will build an academy, coached by foreign coaches, who will lead the team to success in youth competitions, churn out a number of players who go on to play in the Regional League, but very few who make our first team squad.
Foreign players
We will forrn links with a club in whichever European country is currently creating the blueprint for the football style du jour, as long as it’s easy for Thais to get visas there (not that we’ll ever send any). We’ll sign more foreign players than the quota, then loan out (and eventually release/sell) those we don’t want. Our foreign signings will be as hit and miss as any other club, but those we get right will be very good, and we’ll be ruthless in offloading those who are up to scratch, with some being released within a month of signing.
Kit
Kit colours will be chosen to be “coincidentally” similar in colour to that of the local political party, run for a couple of generations by my family.
Merchandise sales will be boosted by our insistence that you dress ‘properly’ (i.e. in a replica shirt) when attending matches, & for ‘big’ games, tickets will only be sold to those wearing NN-BBCU replica kit.
Sponsors
I’d have the usual standard sponsors depending on my friendships & family connections. I’m sure there’ll be a large beer/communications/car/insurance company out there willing to stump up some cash. After a couple of successful seasons, I’ll be beating them away with a stick. The league broadcaster will be paid to play advertisements for my club (not our matches) during breaks in matches not even featuring NN-BBCU in an attempt to boost our appeal nationally. We will also sponsor lower league clubs, who will have NN-BBCU (and later NN Utd) emblazoned on their kits. A number of NN academy players will find themselves playing for these clubs.
Players will have their photos displayed on posters for my family’s political party, ignoring that the players concerned coming from other provinces, and that the party is a one-province party in terms of support.
Stadium
I would build a brand-new stadium. Ideally, it would resemble Pohang’s Steelyard, but as I’m restricted to Thai stadia, I’ll opt for a rectangular stadium with corporate boxes modelled on SCG Stadium. The funds for this will publicly come from my supposed deep pockets, but a significant portion is likely to be siphoned off from government money by my relative.
Opposition fans will be seated in a uncovered corner of the stadium. Those in this section will not be allowed to bring in any food or drink (not even water or baby bottles) nor umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun or rain. However, as we do not want appear to be spoilsports, musical instruments & pikes supporting banners will be permitted. Our car parking system will be designed to ensure maximum waiting time for away fan coaches attempting to exit before their long drive home.
Ticket prices
Attendance will be boosted with measures such as free meal vouchers included in the ticket price, free tickets to matches of both clubs to several thousand ‘hardcore’ members (who will lead the cheering for both clubs), and compulsory attendance at both clubs’ games made a condition of enrolment at the local university (where I am a board member). To enable this symbiotic fan base, I will use my influence with the PLT to ensure that Nakon Nowhere’s 2 clubs never play on the same day in the weekend, and that there is a home and away fixture each weekend. Where this cannot be arranged, I will negotiate with owners of other clubs to rearrange fixtures to suit me better, before gaining PLT approval. A local hotel (owned by myself or a close friend) will have ‘free’ match tickets built into the room price, allowing me to inflate my attendance figures, even if the visitors to fair Nakhon Nowhere don’t actually attend.
Plenty of supporters’ coaches to away matches will be available, with the fare including a match ticket & subsidised with public funding. On occasions when the number of fans on the coaches outnumbers the away ticket allocation, some fans will be provided with shirts of a similar colour to the opposition kit, & supplied with tickets to another section of the stadium.
Anything else you'd like to add
As Head of the Head Coach, I will sit on the bench & pace around the technical area, barking instructions at the team and making sure the match officials know who calls the shots in my province. Match officials will also be financially rewarded for turning a blind eye to foul play by my players. Those who fail to remember where they are, will be gently reminded at gunpoint at petrol stations as they drive home, or face a trial by social media (led by my RL-club owning relative), which may or may not end in a serious attack on their person.
Opposition clubs will be accommodated at my friend’s hotel, where they will find the air-conditioning intermittent (at best) on the night before a game, and that the hotel is very popular for locals celebrating birthdays with loud karaoke until all hours. Drones surveying neighbouring land for my next extravagance will inadvertently film opposition training sessions, and stadium tours for the public will also be planned to coincide with opposition training.
After success in the first couple of seasons after my acquisition, our threat to the established order will be noticed, and lead to some public posturing. After this, although the club continues to enjoy success and plenty of decisions go my way, I’ll make plenty of public noise when things don’t go our way. This will eventually see us viewed by many pundits as plucky underdogs, and the victims of backroom deals by an opposing power bloc. Our greatest success as a club will come when other new club owners try to replicate my blueprint, and find themselves mocked as egotistical and clueless by the same fans/pundits who now view Nakhon Nowhere United as the ideal of a professional Thai club.
I would use a tried and true method to build my club. First, I would buy an established PLT club, with a little (but not too much) past success, a small fan base & a nomadic history (so they won’t be too missed). After considering and dismissing Police, Army & Air Force (histories too entrenched), TTM & TOT (wrong division), Osotspa (busy establishing own facilities), Port (too well-supported), I’ve settled on newly-promoted BBCU (League champs in 1998, but kicked out of Chula Uni in recent seasons) as the perfect club. Bangkok Utd (champs in 2006) would be my back-up plan, but ideally I’d want them to have a disappointing mid-table finish in 2016, to dispel the current optimism around the club.
Location
I would transplant my club to a small provincial capital who currently have a poorly supported Regional League side, owned and run by the local governor, who is conveniently a member of my family. After re-branding my club as Nakhon Nowhere-BBCU, I would then park (“loan/sell”) the bulk of my squad at the RL club, share coaching resources, allowing the smaller club to gain promotion at a canter. Ex-BBCU players who aren’t happy with dropping down a couple of divisions will have their contracts cancelled, but be contractually banned from joining another Thai club.
Chairman/Owner
Me, myself & I; it’s all about me, you see. My face will adorn club advertising, and 95% of interviews and comments in the paper will be given by me. I will portray myself as a lifelong football fan, and speak of how it’s been my dream for years to see top-flight football and facilities to Nakhon Nowhere. The fact I achieved none of this during my many years as NN’s governor and MP will be overlooked. There will be no suggestion that this is my way of remaining relevant in my fiefdom after receiving a ban from politics.
Head Coach
Coaches would be hired and fired in quick succession, until the right yes man was found. This would include big name Thais as well as foreigners. Success in the role is far less important than accepting my orders on team selection & substitutions, and allowing to me to give team talks on camera before each half of games.
The coach will also do sideline duty for the RL team, although, on paper, NNFC will be coached by someone else, as they stroll to promotion from the Regional League and Division 1 in successive seasons. Once promoted to the PLT, we will merge the 2 clubs, forming Nakhon Nowhere Utd, with BBCU’s history forgotten, and I will recoup some of the money spent by selling a place in the PLT to a friend who has grown impatient with his own team’s inability to gain promotion.
Thai players
We will spend big on stockpiling national team and fringe NT players, many of whom are happy to be bit-part players behind foreign imports but still collect a fat pay cheque. These players will also be prepared to suffer “injuries”, forget passports, and make public statements, to undermine club and national team coaches, as I see fit.
We will build an academy, coached by foreign coaches, who will lead the team to success in youth competitions, churn out a number of players who go on to play in the Regional League, but very few who make our first team squad.
Foreign players
We will forrn links with a club in whichever European country is currently creating the blueprint for the football style du jour, as long as it’s easy for Thais to get visas there (not that we’ll ever send any). We’ll sign more foreign players than the quota, then loan out (and eventually release/sell) those we don’t want. Our foreign signings will be as hit and miss as any other club, but those we get right will be very good, and we’ll be ruthless in offloading those who are up to scratch, with some being released within a month of signing.
Kit
Kit colours will be chosen to be “coincidentally” similar in colour to that of the local political party, run for a couple of generations by my family.
Merchandise sales will be boosted by our insistence that you dress ‘properly’ (i.e. in a replica shirt) when attending matches, & for ‘big’ games, tickets will only be sold to those wearing NN-BBCU replica kit.
Sponsors
I’d have the usual standard sponsors depending on my friendships & family connections. I’m sure there’ll be a large beer/communications/car/insurance company out there willing to stump up some cash. After a couple of successful seasons, I’ll be beating them away with a stick. The league broadcaster will be paid to play advertisements for my club (not our matches) during breaks in matches not even featuring NN-BBCU in an attempt to boost our appeal nationally. We will also sponsor lower league clubs, who will have NN-BBCU (and later NN Utd) emblazoned on their kits. A number of NN academy players will find themselves playing for these clubs.
Players will have their photos displayed on posters for my family’s political party, ignoring that the players concerned coming from other provinces, and that the party is a one-province party in terms of support.
Stadium
I would build a brand-new stadium. Ideally, it would resemble Pohang’s Steelyard, but as I’m restricted to Thai stadia, I’ll opt for a rectangular stadium with corporate boxes modelled on SCG Stadium. The funds for this will publicly come from my supposed deep pockets, but a significant portion is likely to be siphoned off from government money by my relative.
Opposition fans will be seated in a uncovered corner of the stadium. Those in this section will not be allowed to bring in any food or drink (not even water or baby bottles) nor umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun or rain. However, as we do not want appear to be spoilsports, musical instruments & pikes supporting banners will be permitted. Our car parking system will be designed to ensure maximum waiting time for away fan coaches attempting to exit before their long drive home.
Ticket prices
Attendance will be boosted with measures such as free meal vouchers included in the ticket price, free tickets to matches of both clubs to several thousand ‘hardcore’ members (who will lead the cheering for both clubs), and compulsory attendance at both clubs’ games made a condition of enrolment at the local university (where I am a board member). To enable this symbiotic fan base, I will use my influence with the PLT to ensure that Nakon Nowhere’s 2 clubs never play on the same day in the weekend, and that there is a home and away fixture each weekend. Where this cannot be arranged, I will negotiate with owners of other clubs to rearrange fixtures to suit me better, before gaining PLT approval. A local hotel (owned by myself or a close friend) will have ‘free’ match tickets built into the room price, allowing me to inflate my attendance figures, even if the visitors to fair Nakhon Nowhere don’t actually attend.
Plenty of supporters’ coaches to away matches will be available, with the fare including a match ticket & subsidised with public funding. On occasions when the number of fans on the coaches outnumbers the away ticket allocation, some fans will be provided with shirts of a similar colour to the opposition kit, & supplied with tickets to another section of the stadium.
Anything else you'd like to add
As Head of the Head Coach, I will sit on the bench & pace around the technical area, barking instructions at the team and making sure the match officials know who calls the shots in my province. Match officials will also be financially rewarded for turning a blind eye to foul play by my players. Those who fail to remember where they are, will be gently reminded at gunpoint at petrol stations as they drive home, or face a trial by social media (led by my RL-club owning relative), which may or may not end in a serious attack on their person.
Opposition clubs will be accommodated at my friend’s hotel, where they will find the air-conditioning intermittent (at best) on the night before a game, and that the hotel is very popular for locals celebrating birthdays with loud karaoke until all hours. Drones surveying neighbouring land for my next extravagance will inadvertently film opposition training sessions, and stadium tours for the public will also be planned to coincide with opposition training.
After success in the first couple of seasons after my acquisition, our threat to the established order will be noticed, and lead to some public posturing. After this, although the club continues to enjoy success and plenty of decisions go my way, I’ll make plenty of public noise when things don’t go our way. This will eventually see us viewed by many pundits as plucky underdogs, and the victims of backroom deals by an opposing power bloc. Our greatest success as a club will come when other new club owners try to replicate my blueprint, and find themselves mocked as egotistical and clueless by the same fans/pundits who now view Nakhon Nowhere United as the ideal of a professional Thai club.
Friday 29 November 2019
Army 1-0 Chonburi - Ticket: 2010
TPL
Army 1-0 Chonburi
Royal Thai Army Stadium, Bangkok
18th July, 2010
Army 1-1 Chonburi - Ticket: 2006
TPL
Army 1-1 Chonburi
Royal Thai Army Stadium, Bangkok
18th March, 2006
Interview With Lewis Capel: 2011
Here's an interview I did with Army Utd fan, Lewis Capel, in December, 2011.
Q - Please could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
A - I'm Lewis, I'm from Northern Ireland. I been here on and off for near 5 years. I have been teaching in Bangkok for the last 3 and a bit years. I'm a Bolton Wanderers fan, used to have a season ticket and I followed my beloved Northern Ireland all around the world going to daft places such as Azerbaijan and I witnessed our wee country defeat the likes of Spain, England, Sweden and Denmark (I'll not mention the losses to Armenia and draws against Canada). I love my football.
Q - How long have you been supporting Army Utd?
A - I've been going to the Army games from the start of this season.
Q - What first got you interested in Army Utd and how did you hear about them?
A - Me and my mates had been talking about finding a team to support for a few years now. I remember last season one of my mates put forward a case for Bangkok Glass. He said 'They're sponsored by Leo, play at Leo Stadium and we love drinking Leo so it's a perfect match.' Thankfully they are to far away to travel to week in week out. We live and work in the Ari area and Army stadium is just round the corner. It's that simple really. That’s how we picked our team. Best decision ever. Me and 6 of my mates now attend every home game. A few hangers on from work always pop up and come along to see what it's like as well.
Q - What are your thoughts on the way your club is run?
A - From what I've seen, which isn't much, the club seems to be run well. Quite well organised, almost military like (ho-hum). It's good that they have decided to bring in more foreigners as this will hopefully help make the club more professional rather than when they were just playing army personnel.
Q - Are you happy with the management, coach and players?
A - Yeah, very happy. Both on and off the pitch. We're not a great team but I think everybody works hard. Both players and coaches are very friendly and always willing to have a chat pitch side after the game or the bar (the aptly named 'Army Arms') afterwards when they are getting new random daft songs sung at them by a bunch of drunken teachers. Last week, for some unknown reason a song to the tune of 2 Unlimited's 'No limit' was belted out to our left winger. He even danced and fist pumped along which was priceless. At the same time I'm demanding 5 goals of Leandro for my birthday next week then trying to persuade Tony Costa's wife to get him to stay on next year. Thank God one of our mates from Bulgaria knows Portuguese and can translate all this.
Another thing that really impressed me recently was that the players even came up, shook our hands, said hello and had a chat with us when we were having a beer before a recent away game. No prima donnas at the 'Home of Gentlemen'. I love our team, it's like a proper local team, reminding me of Irish league football when I was growing up.
Q - How do you think you could improve your team?
A - We need a big man up front and at the back. If we had a big centre forward that Leandro could play off we would be a lot more dangerous. Also a playmaker for the middle of the park as sometimes we look a bit one dimensional going forward., I think we have the basis of a decent team. If we could get a bit of strength in depth, maybe next season a top 8 (or in my dreams top 6) finish wouldn't be out of the question.
Q - What do you think you can realistically achieve in what remains of this season?
A - I think we're safe from relegation now, unless we go on another disasterous losing streak. After seeing the FA Cup draw today. I want at least a semi final spot (home to FC Chainat next in the quarters) and then who knows PEA or BEC Tero away in the semis. I'll just pray for an upset (and a weekend away with the lads in Buriram).
Q - How many home and away games do you manage to get to?
A - Me and my mates go to all home games and to away games around Bangkok like MTUTD, BEC Tero and TOT. It's hard to go to as many away games as I would like as I work Saturdays.
Q - Which has been your best home performance this season and away performance?
A - Muang Thong Utd both home and away. No one expected us win let alone put 3 past them. Our away form is absolutely shocking so it was nice to pick up a draw against Muang Thong the other week. One nil down, Robbie Fowler scuffed a feeble penalty wide and Leandro slotted home a late (albeit soft) penalty to send us home happy. Also the FA Cup game versus Chonburi needs to get an honourable mention (Cough Cough).
Q - Which has been the best team you have seen this year?
A - So far the best I've seen is your lot, Chonburi. In the league game against us in June when you won 3-4. They looked very assured on the ball and looked like running away with it in the first half. We were lucky to make the final score respectable. The only time this season I've seen the Army totally outplayed.
Q - And the best individual player?
A - Maybe a surprising one but Douglas from Buriram FC. He's been the standout forward I've seen this year. Will be interesting if he makes the cut at the new Buriram merger team next year. If he doesn't I would love to have him in my team.
Q - What sort of crowds have you been attracting this season?
A - From what I hear last season there was nobody going to the games. I have no idea why that was but there is always a decent crowd. I would hazard a guess to say around 2-3,000 are in attendance for each home game. Maybe the ticket prices are helping the attendances, 100baht and 50baht for fan club members, they were even free a few months ago when we were on dismal run of form. There are always fewer fans at Sunday games though, it seems even nobody wants a hangover on Monday morning.
Q - Which set of visiting fans impressed you the most at the Army Stadium?
A - The fans that impressed me most so far were Sisaket, just a mass sea of orange and boy were they drunk and noisy. Biggest set of fans I've seen at Army Stadium this year which to me is surprising.
Q - What sort of away following do you have?
A - The games I've been away and the ones I've seen on TV always show a decent away following. I would guess maybe at least 500 or more would go to the away games, more for games that are in Bangkok or the surrounding area.
Q - What's your favourite away ground?
A - I thought BEC Tero had a nice little ground but sadly it lacked in atmosphere. Hopefully next season I will be able to clock up some more away days.
Q - What are your thoughts on the fact there'll only be away fans at tomorrow's match? Would you prefer there to be home fans there as well?
A - Do you know if the referee was on the PEA bus??? Joking aside, it's not fair as the minority reared its ugly head and ruined it for the honest decent Chonburi fan that took no part in the trouble.
Sanctions like this should happen and hopefully it will act as a deterrent in the future. If anybody saw their mate about to do something silly, maybe they'll tell them to wise up. We can but hope.
Selfishly, I hope no home fans being there will give us a bit of an advantage, make the away game less intimidating for our players. Doubt it will help much though. I can see a Chonburi victory tomorrow, I'd be chuffed if we snook a point.
Q - What are your impressions of Chonburi FC?
A - Obviously one the 'big' teams in the league. Overall I think you have a good solid team. In my mind a definite cert for second this place year. You have a good fan base, one of the largest away supports I've seen this year, noisy bunch as well. One of the lads in our office is a Chonburi fan and we rip him to shreds, bless his little cotton socks, his Chonburi posters always disappear and get replaced by Army ones.
Q - Which players should we be looking out for tomorrow?
A - Obviously Leandro up front, brilliant when he stays on his feet and if he's fit Rafa Santana on the wing. Tatree Singha is nippy up front but needs to find the net more (saw him walking proudly round Big C this morning proudly wearing a Robbie Fowler MTUTD top he obviously swapped the other week and a pair of tracksuit bottoms that said 'AMY UNITED' on them. Classy! Our keeper Naratip is a really good shot stopper but sometimes his positioning is shocking and is dodgy on crosses. The main one to watch out for is the living legend that is Tony Costa, Army 23. Cult hero. Think, Ivan Campo's pace meets Paul Scholes tackling ability meets Vinnie Jones' finesse. The nicest man you'll ever meet though.
Q - Thank you, Lewis.
A - You're welcome.
Q - Please could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
A - I'm Lewis, I'm from Northern Ireland. I been here on and off for near 5 years. I have been teaching in Bangkok for the last 3 and a bit years. I'm a Bolton Wanderers fan, used to have a season ticket and I followed my beloved Northern Ireland all around the world going to daft places such as Azerbaijan and I witnessed our wee country defeat the likes of Spain, England, Sweden and Denmark (I'll not mention the losses to Armenia and draws against Canada). I love my football.
Q - How long have you been supporting Army Utd?
A - I've been going to the Army games from the start of this season.
Q - What first got you interested in Army Utd and how did you hear about them?
A - Me and my mates had been talking about finding a team to support for a few years now. I remember last season one of my mates put forward a case for Bangkok Glass. He said 'They're sponsored by Leo, play at Leo Stadium and we love drinking Leo so it's a perfect match.' Thankfully they are to far away to travel to week in week out. We live and work in the Ari area and Army stadium is just round the corner. It's that simple really. That’s how we picked our team. Best decision ever. Me and 6 of my mates now attend every home game. A few hangers on from work always pop up and come along to see what it's like as well.
Q - What are your thoughts on the way your club is run?
A - From what I've seen, which isn't much, the club seems to be run well. Quite well organised, almost military like (ho-hum). It's good that they have decided to bring in more foreigners as this will hopefully help make the club more professional rather than when they were just playing army personnel.
Q - Are you happy with the management, coach and players?
A - Yeah, very happy. Both on and off the pitch. We're not a great team but I think everybody works hard. Both players and coaches are very friendly and always willing to have a chat pitch side after the game or the bar (the aptly named 'Army Arms') afterwards when they are getting new random daft songs sung at them by a bunch of drunken teachers. Last week, for some unknown reason a song to the tune of 2 Unlimited's 'No limit' was belted out to our left winger. He even danced and fist pumped along which was priceless. At the same time I'm demanding 5 goals of Leandro for my birthday next week then trying to persuade Tony Costa's wife to get him to stay on next year. Thank God one of our mates from Bulgaria knows Portuguese and can translate all this.
Another thing that really impressed me recently was that the players even came up, shook our hands, said hello and had a chat with us when we were having a beer before a recent away game. No prima donnas at the 'Home of Gentlemen'. I love our team, it's like a proper local team, reminding me of Irish league football when I was growing up.
Q - How do you think you could improve your team?
A - We need a big man up front and at the back. If we had a big centre forward that Leandro could play off we would be a lot more dangerous. Also a playmaker for the middle of the park as sometimes we look a bit one dimensional going forward., I think we have the basis of a decent team. If we could get a bit of strength in depth, maybe next season a top 8 (or in my dreams top 6) finish wouldn't be out of the question.
Q - What do you think you can realistically achieve in what remains of this season?
A - I think we're safe from relegation now, unless we go on another disasterous losing streak. After seeing the FA Cup draw today. I want at least a semi final spot (home to FC Chainat next in the quarters) and then who knows PEA or BEC Tero away in the semis. I'll just pray for an upset (and a weekend away with the lads in Buriram).
Q - How many home and away games do you manage to get to?
A - Me and my mates go to all home games and to away games around Bangkok like MTUTD, BEC Tero and TOT. It's hard to go to as many away games as I would like as I work Saturdays.
Q - Which has been your best home performance this season and away performance?
A - Muang Thong Utd both home and away. No one expected us win let alone put 3 past them. Our away form is absolutely shocking so it was nice to pick up a draw against Muang Thong the other week. One nil down, Robbie Fowler scuffed a feeble penalty wide and Leandro slotted home a late (albeit soft) penalty to send us home happy. Also the FA Cup game versus Chonburi needs to get an honourable mention (Cough Cough).
Q - Which has been the best team you have seen this year?
A - So far the best I've seen is your lot, Chonburi. In the league game against us in June when you won 3-4. They looked very assured on the ball and looked like running away with it in the first half. We were lucky to make the final score respectable. The only time this season I've seen the Army totally outplayed.
Q - And the best individual player?
A - Maybe a surprising one but Douglas from Buriram FC. He's been the standout forward I've seen this year. Will be interesting if he makes the cut at the new Buriram merger team next year. If he doesn't I would love to have him in my team.
Q - What sort of crowds have you been attracting this season?
A - From what I hear last season there was nobody going to the games. I have no idea why that was but there is always a decent crowd. I would hazard a guess to say around 2-3,000 are in attendance for each home game. Maybe the ticket prices are helping the attendances, 100baht and 50baht for fan club members, they were even free a few months ago when we were on dismal run of form. There are always fewer fans at Sunday games though, it seems even nobody wants a hangover on Monday morning.
Q - Which set of visiting fans impressed you the most at the Army Stadium?
A - The fans that impressed me most so far were Sisaket, just a mass sea of orange and boy were they drunk and noisy. Biggest set of fans I've seen at Army Stadium this year which to me is surprising.
Q - What sort of away following do you have?
A - The games I've been away and the ones I've seen on TV always show a decent away following. I would guess maybe at least 500 or more would go to the away games, more for games that are in Bangkok or the surrounding area.
Q - What's your favourite away ground?
A - I thought BEC Tero had a nice little ground but sadly it lacked in atmosphere. Hopefully next season I will be able to clock up some more away days.
Q - What are your thoughts on the fact there'll only be away fans at tomorrow's match? Would you prefer there to be home fans there as well?
A - Do you know if the referee was on the PEA bus??? Joking aside, it's not fair as the minority reared its ugly head and ruined it for the honest decent Chonburi fan that took no part in the trouble.
Sanctions like this should happen and hopefully it will act as a deterrent in the future. If anybody saw their mate about to do something silly, maybe they'll tell them to wise up. We can but hope.
Selfishly, I hope no home fans being there will give us a bit of an advantage, make the away game less intimidating for our players. Doubt it will help much though. I can see a Chonburi victory tomorrow, I'd be chuffed if we snook a point.
Q - What are your impressions of Chonburi FC?
A - Obviously one the 'big' teams in the league. Overall I think you have a good solid team. In my mind a definite cert for second this place year. You have a good fan base, one of the largest away supports I've seen this year, noisy bunch as well. One of the lads in our office is a Chonburi fan and we rip him to shreds, bless his little cotton socks, his Chonburi posters always disappear and get replaced by Army ones.
Q - Which players should we be looking out for tomorrow?
A - Obviously Leandro up front, brilliant when he stays on his feet and if he's fit Rafa Santana on the wing. Tatree Singha is nippy up front but needs to find the net more (saw him walking proudly round Big C this morning proudly wearing a Robbie Fowler MTUTD top he obviously swapped the other week and a pair of tracksuit bottoms that said 'AMY UNITED' on them. Classy! Our keeper Naratip is a really good shot stopper but sometimes his positioning is shocking and is dodgy on crosses. The main one to watch out for is the living legend that is Tony Costa, Army 23. Cult hero. Think, Ivan Campo's pace meets Paul Scholes tackling ability meets Vinnie Jones' finesse. The nicest man you'll ever meet though.
Q - Thank you, Lewis.
A - You're welcome.
FA Premier League Asia Trophy Ticket: 2005
FA Premier League Asia Trophy
3rd & 4th place play off: Everton 1-1 Man City (2-4 pens)
Final: Thailand 0-1 Bolton Wanderers
Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok
23rd July, 2005
Thursday 28 November 2019
Chonburi 2-1 Muang Thong Utd - The Opposition View: 2010
Here is Greg Hill's report on the 2010 FA Cup final, from his defunct Muang Thong Utd blog.
After extra time yesterday, thousands of red shirts dispersed peacefully from the Supalachasalai Stadium. There are a few rules of the thumb for football and cup games in particular. One is that whichever set of fans disperse from the stadium first are from the losing team.
It could've been worse. Before kick off, a large contingent of Thai Port fans descended on the stadium, purposely drawing attention to themselves and consuming large amounts of alcohol. Although it was surprising to see so many of them and strange that they all managed to get tickets for the Chonburi end, there was no further trouble, save an exchange of insults between them and the police.
News came through to me that Kone was injured and I wondered how it would affect the team-sheet. How accurate would my line-up prediction prove? Pretty good as it happens, though Rungsiyo got the support striker's role instead of Ibrahim,
The starting team was: Phanphipat (GK), Kaewprom (RB), Piyachart (LB), Nattaporn (Capt, CB), Panupong (CB), Datsakorn (MD), Pitchipong (MD), Nawapol (MD), Siaka (AM), Teerasil (ST), Rungsiyo (ST).
The first half was the weakest performance I have ever seen from the champions. So weak, we barely got out of our own half. Chonburi did not look brilliant either but perhaps someone read Dale's site, or mine, because the Sharks played just like Thai Port (as Nathan Hall suggested) and also used the double marking that worked for them on their own ground (as I mentioned). They were tough, gave us no space and doubled up on Siaka, making his life difficult. We rode our luck with stray passes and a shocking lack of width, the very same width that we used to take us all the way to the TPL title.
When the blue shirts finally did score, it came as no surprise. What was a surprise was the removal of Rungsiyo for a half-fit Kone on thirty minutes. After all my praise, he (Rungsiyo) has looked disinterested for his last few games.
The only silver lining was that the second half couldn't get any worse. Indeed there was some improvement. The width still seemed lacking but some flicks and triangle passes started to come off. Datsakorn leveled things up with a goal from a deflection about midway through the second half that took us to extra time.
Perhaps it was an omen that just before the start of the extra thirty minutes, Chonburi players were tired, but still on their feet. Meanwhile most MTU players were squatting, trying to get one last burst of energy in a career-shortening season of fixtures.
Extra time was very even and it seemed that penalties - and all the agony that comes with them - was on the cards until Pibop popped up with the winner. MTU had just one chance to equalise with a corner that Phanphipat rightly ran up for, but it wasn't our day. We had lost a cup final to a goal from a guy whose name sounds like he should be a DJ in Compton. After the whistle, our fans all said goodbye to Kone, saluted the players and congratulated Chonburi before leaving. There are absolutely no complaints about the game. Chonburi looked sharper and hungrier and created more chances.
It's actually quite a relief that the season is over and the time of change can begin. The impending large change of personnel is necessary for two reasons. Firstly, Muangthong have now become a big fish in small pond and many of our players are simply too good for the Thai league. That's not an insult to the Thai league, it's a compliment to the Muangthong players. Secondly, the amount of games the players have endured is simply dangerous. Many of them cannot repeat such a schedule without risking serious injury. If anyone thinks I'm making excuses here, consider that the Thai internationals have an eleven hour break between the cup final and national training. Eleven hours.
With such reforms in a developing and dynamic league run by less than competent people,it's very hard to see what the future holds. But whatever happens, MTU have achieved things that most clubs never will and I've been privileged enough to be on board for a big part of that ride.
It almost goes without saying that losing in extra-time was gut-wrenching, but in the same way we often don't appreciate things we have until they're gone, we can't always appreciate what it means to win glory without the occasional heartbreak as a reminder.
As for Chonburi, congratulations are in order. They've been fantastic rivals and fully deserve their AFC spot. We'll pay you back in the Kor Royal Cup next year.
After extra time yesterday, thousands of red shirts dispersed peacefully from the Supalachasalai Stadium. There are a few rules of the thumb for football and cup games in particular. One is that whichever set of fans disperse from the stadium first are from the losing team.
It could've been worse. Before kick off, a large contingent of Thai Port fans descended on the stadium, purposely drawing attention to themselves and consuming large amounts of alcohol. Although it was surprising to see so many of them and strange that they all managed to get tickets for the Chonburi end, there was no further trouble, save an exchange of insults between them and the police.
News came through to me that Kone was injured and I wondered how it would affect the team-sheet. How accurate would my line-up prediction prove? Pretty good as it happens, though Rungsiyo got the support striker's role instead of Ibrahim,
The starting team was: Phanphipat (GK), Kaewprom (RB), Piyachart (LB), Nattaporn (Capt, CB), Panupong (CB), Datsakorn (MD), Pitchipong (MD), Nawapol (MD), Siaka (AM), Teerasil (ST), Rungsiyo (ST).
The first half was the weakest performance I have ever seen from the champions. So weak, we barely got out of our own half. Chonburi did not look brilliant either but perhaps someone read Dale's site, or mine, because the Sharks played just like Thai Port (as Nathan Hall suggested) and also used the double marking that worked for them on their own ground (as I mentioned). They were tough, gave us no space and doubled up on Siaka, making his life difficult. We rode our luck with stray passes and a shocking lack of width, the very same width that we used to take us all the way to the TPL title.
When the blue shirts finally did score, it came as no surprise. What was a surprise was the removal of Rungsiyo for a half-fit Kone on thirty minutes. After all my praise, he (Rungsiyo) has looked disinterested for his last few games.
The only silver lining was that the second half couldn't get any worse. Indeed there was some improvement. The width still seemed lacking but some flicks and triangle passes started to come off. Datsakorn leveled things up with a goal from a deflection about midway through the second half that took us to extra time.
Perhaps it was an omen that just before the start of the extra thirty minutes, Chonburi players were tired, but still on their feet. Meanwhile most MTU players were squatting, trying to get one last burst of energy in a career-shortening season of fixtures.
Extra time was very even and it seemed that penalties - and all the agony that comes with them - was on the cards until Pibop popped up with the winner. MTU had just one chance to equalise with a corner that Phanphipat rightly ran up for, but it wasn't our day. We had lost a cup final to a goal from a guy whose name sounds like he should be a DJ in Compton. After the whistle, our fans all said goodbye to Kone, saluted the players and congratulated Chonburi before leaving. There are absolutely no complaints about the game. Chonburi looked sharper and hungrier and created more chances.
It's actually quite a relief that the season is over and the time of change can begin. The impending large change of personnel is necessary for two reasons. Firstly, Muangthong have now become a big fish in small pond and many of our players are simply too good for the Thai league. That's not an insult to the Thai league, it's a compliment to the Muangthong players. Secondly, the amount of games the players have endured is simply dangerous. Many of them cannot repeat such a schedule without risking serious injury. If anyone thinks I'm making excuses here, consider that the Thai internationals have an eleven hour break between the cup final and national training. Eleven hours.
With such reforms in a developing and dynamic league run by less than competent people,it's very hard to see what the future holds. But whatever happens, MTU have achieved things that most clubs never will and I've been privileged enough to be on board for a big part of that ride.
It almost goes without saying that losing in extra-time was gut-wrenching, but in the same way we often don't appreciate things we have until they're gone, we can't always appreciate what it means to win glory without the occasional heartbreak as a reminder.
As for Chonburi, congratulations are in order. They've been fantastic rivals and fully deserve their AFC spot. We'll pay you back in the Kor Royal Cup next year.
Chonburi 2-1 Muang Thong Utd - FA Cup Final Reaction: 2010
How the 2010 FA Cup final was seen by various Asia based football fans.
1. Chonburi started well and dominated the first 15-20 minutes. After that the game evened out with both teams having chances, although neither goalkeeper was tested more than a couple of times during the match. MTU visibly tired towards the end of the game, and ran into injury problems, moving Natapol striker in extra-time, and were down to 10 men when Chonburi scored the winner. Overall Chonburi were the better side, and could have won in 90 mins had their option-taking been better.
The atmosphere was good, although there were surprisingly large sections of empty seats, even with a large contingent of Port fans who seemed to think it was their day.
by Wolfman
2. I wasn't at the final, but I managed to watch it on Channel 7. Despite the constant interruptions for adverts, it was still an enjoyable game to watch on TV. The action was end to end and either team could have won it on the day. The talking point of the match has to be Pipob's two-footed challenge in extra time that was only deemed a yellow card by the referee. In most leagues around the world, it would have been a straight red. It was a horrible challange that could have broken Choeichiu's leg. Fortunately there was no damage done to the Muangthong midfielder.
To rub salt in the wounds of the tiring Muangthong, Pipob scored the winner with four minutes left to play. However we should take nothing away from the Sharks. They've had a good season and if it wasn't for them, the TPL would have been a one horse race last season. The kept battling and pushed Muangthong right until the end. Congratulations to Chonburi for winning the FA Cup. I hope you can build on it and come back stronger in 2011.
by BKK73
3. A well deserved victory from Chonburi in a match that lived up to the fanfare. Well done to the FA for co-ordinating the event professionally which ensured another step forward for Thai Football. by Nigel from www.thaileaguefootball.com 4. It was the final Thai football wanted and probably needed too. Muang Thong United v Chonburi, the two best teams in the country over the last two seasons going head to head at the Supachalasai.
The league games between the two never seemed to produce a fair reflection of one or both of the teams for whatever reason, so this was our best chance to see them both go at it in Thailand's show-piece match. Watching on the TV never gives the same impression as being there, but the atmosphere seemed very good and the colour provided by both sets of fans was very impressive. The pitch also looked in decent condition.
So far so good, if an outsider was watching this, surely they'd have a good impression of Thai football. But of course all of that means nothing if the important element, the actual match itself, was a turgid affair with players chucking themselves to the ground and terrible and inconsistent officiating. As a neutral, I wasn't too fussed who actually won the match, I was just hoping for a good game without one of the many 'Thai moments' we have seen at various times in Thai football.
So, the game itself wasn't quite as good as I hoped, although there wasn't too much wrong with it either. I guess it could have done with a few more goal scoring opportunities. The better ones that there were, mostly fell to Chonburi. The best team on the day won through, which was good to see. However, there was a controversy as Pibob who scored the winner with penalties just around the corner. 10 or so minutes earlier, he should have seen a straight red for a terrible and dangerous tackle on Pichipong. That apart, the referee had a decent game.
All in all, Chonburi will be ecstatic, Muang Thong will be disappointed, but I think Thai football in general will be very happy and somewhat proud of this event.
by Andy from www.bangkokglassfc.webs.com
5. What a great day that was. Fantastic on field performance from the boys in blue, only surpassed by the off-field performance of the fans. Great support, great victory.
by Tim (Chonburi fan)
6. Chonburi, everyone's second favourite Thai team, have won the FA Cup, defeating Thai Premier League champions Muang Thong United 2-1 in the final. Despite their proud traditions and their penchant for young players, Chonburi had failed to win any trophies over the last couple of years. So ending that drought will mean a lot to their fans. I'm sure that they would rather have the opprobrium of rival fans if it meant a bit more silver to be polished.
by Antony from www.jakartacasual.blogspot.com
1. Chonburi started well and dominated the first 15-20 minutes. After that the game evened out with both teams having chances, although neither goalkeeper was tested more than a couple of times during the match. MTU visibly tired towards the end of the game, and ran into injury problems, moving Natapol striker in extra-time, and were down to 10 men when Chonburi scored the winner. Overall Chonburi were the better side, and could have won in 90 mins had their option-taking been better.
The atmosphere was good, although there were surprisingly large sections of empty seats, even with a large contingent of Port fans who seemed to think it was their day.
by Wolfman
2. I wasn't at the final, but I managed to watch it on Channel 7. Despite the constant interruptions for adverts, it was still an enjoyable game to watch on TV. The action was end to end and either team could have won it on the day. The talking point of the match has to be Pipob's two-footed challenge in extra time that was only deemed a yellow card by the referee. In most leagues around the world, it would have been a straight red. It was a horrible challange that could have broken Choeichiu's leg. Fortunately there was no damage done to the Muangthong midfielder.
To rub salt in the wounds of the tiring Muangthong, Pipob scored the winner with four minutes left to play. However we should take nothing away from the Sharks. They've had a good season and if it wasn't for them, the TPL would have been a one horse race last season. The kept battling and pushed Muangthong right until the end. Congratulations to Chonburi for winning the FA Cup. I hope you can build on it and come back stronger in 2011.
by BKK73
3. A well deserved victory from Chonburi in a match that lived up to the fanfare. Well done to the FA for co-ordinating the event professionally which ensured another step forward for Thai Football. by Nigel from www.thaileaguefootball.com 4. It was the final Thai football wanted and probably needed too. Muang Thong United v Chonburi, the two best teams in the country over the last two seasons going head to head at the Supachalasai.
The league games between the two never seemed to produce a fair reflection of one or both of the teams for whatever reason, so this was our best chance to see them both go at it in Thailand's show-piece match. Watching on the TV never gives the same impression as being there, but the atmosphere seemed very good and the colour provided by both sets of fans was very impressive. The pitch also looked in decent condition.
So far so good, if an outsider was watching this, surely they'd have a good impression of Thai football. But of course all of that means nothing if the important element, the actual match itself, was a turgid affair with players chucking themselves to the ground and terrible and inconsistent officiating. As a neutral, I wasn't too fussed who actually won the match, I was just hoping for a good game without one of the many 'Thai moments' we have seen at various times in Thai football.
So, the game itself wasn't quite as good as I hoped, although there wasn't too much wrong with it either. I guess it could have done with a few more goal scoring opportunities. The better ones that there were, mostly fell to Chonburi. The best team on the day won through, which was good to see. However, there was a controversy as Pibob who scored the winner with penalties just around the corner. 10 or so minutes earlier, he should have seen a straight red for a terrible and dangerous tackle on Pichipong. That apart, the referee had a decent game.
All in all, Chonburi will be ecstatic, Muang Thong will be disappointed, but I think Thai football in general will be very happy and somewhat proud of this event.
by Andy from www.bangkokglassfc.webs.com
5. What a great day that was. Fantastic on field performance from the boys in blue, only surpassed by the off-field performance of the fans. Great support, great victory.
by Tim (Chonburi fan)
6. Chonburi, everyone's second favourite Thai team, have won the FA Cup, defeating Thai Premier League champions Muang Thong United 2-1 in the final. Despite their proud traditions and their penchant for young players, Chonburi had failed to win any trophies over the last couple of years. So ending that drought will mean a lot to their fans. I'm sure that they would rather have the opprobrium of rival fans if it meant a bit more silver to be polished.
by Antony from www.jakartacasual.blogspot.com
Chonburi 2-1 Muang Thong Utd - FA Cup Final Photos: 2010
FA Cup Final
Chonburi 2-1 Muang Thong Utd
Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok
28th November, 2010
Wednesday 27 November 2019
Thailand League Must Improve To Help Develop National Side by Tor Chittinand: 2008
Tor Chittinand's article from the Bangkok Post in September, 2008.
Everybody knows that for a national side to become successful you need a strong local league but the Thai League is far from falling into that category. The Thailand Premier League is probably behind the leagues in Singapore and Vietnam and both have hired several top Thai players. This may prove that our players are good enough to play in neighbouring countries but it also shows our league can't match the financial power of the S-League and V-League.
Worse is that our own officials have been at odds over the right to organize the Thai league, which has an annual budget of 70 million baht from the government. The league has been organized by a committee chaired by Chaipak Siriwat with the backing of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT). Chaipak has been in charge of the Thailand Premier League because he played a key role in the establishment of the new-look league.
When his associates were in power a couple of years ago, Chaipak successfully sought funds from the government to make the league more attractive with a lucrative prize money package. He has since been chairman of the organizing committee which has hired Siam Sports Syndicate to help run and promote the league. But Worawi Makudi, president of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), feels that the league should be organized by the FAT so the FAT will run the league from next season (2009). But the FAT organized the league in the past with little success so critics feel that the FAT may fail again.
It would be a tough task for Worawi and Co. to make the league stronger and become a true professional football competition. Apart from Chonburi FC, most Thai league sides do not have their own stadiums or fan base. That is why a large number of matches have more players and officials than spectators who pay for tickets. Most clubs belong to government agencies or private companies and do not represent a community so it is difficult for them to have supporters other than their own employees. If you don't like the military, certain state enterprises or companies, how can you support their football teams?
The FAT could face financial difficulties as the government recently cut the budget for next year's Thailand Premier League from 70 million baht to 36 million baht. The slashed 34 million baht has been allocated to a so-called sports TV station, which has been unpopular because many people do not know of its existence. The SAT has promised to find additional funds to maintain the 70 million baht budget for the Thai league. This only proves that most clubs do not have their own income. They still rely heavily on financial support from the government and cannot survive by themselves.
The FAT has to improve the Thailand Premier League as soon as possible or it could decline even further. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has excluded Thailand from the elite group of 14 nations, each of which receives an automatic berth in the AFC Champions League. The AFC cited that many Thai clubs were not run properly and lacked supporters, among other reasons. As a result, the Thai champions will have to play in the qualifying stages from next season.
In the meantime, a recent league match in Nakhon Pathom became chaotic when home supporters attacked the referee after the hosts lost 2-0 to BEC Tero Sasana. The incident took place in front of a Cabinet minister who is an MP for the province. It was not the first time that the match officials were attacked by angry fans or club officials who were upset by decisions against their teams. The latest incident may prove that a Thai League match is not better than a game at a temple fair. Surprisingly, the FAT handed Nakhon Pathom a very slight punishment; a fine of a mere 30,000 baht. It is further proof that the FAT is more like a paper tiger.
Tor Chittinand is the Bangkok Post's football writer. www.bangkokpost.com
Everybody knows that for a national side to become successful you need a strong local league but the Thai League is far from falling into that category. The Thailand Premier League is probably behind the leagues in Singapore and Vietnam and both have hired several top Thai players. This may prove that our players are good enough to play in neighbouring countries but it also shows our league can't match the financial power of the S-League and V-League.
Worse is that our own officials have been at odds over the right to organize the Thai league, which has an annual budget of 70 million baht from the government. The league has been organized by a committee chaired by Chaipak Siriwat with the backing of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT). Chaipak has been in charge of the Thailand Premier League because he played a key role in the establishment of the new-look league.
When his associates were in power a couple of years ago, Chaipak successfully sought funds from the government to make the league more attractive with a lucrative prize money package. He has since been chairman of the organizing committee which has hired Siam Sports Syndicate to help run and promote the league. But Worawi Makudi, president of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), feels that the league should be organized by the FAT so the FAT will run the league from next season (2009). But the FAT organized the league in the past with little success so critics feel that the FAT may fail again.
It would be a tough task for Worawi and Co. to make the league stronger and become a true professional football competition. Apart from Chonburi FC, most Thai league sides do not have their own stadiums or fan base. That is why a large number of matches have more players and officials than spectators who pay for tickets. Most clubs belong to government agencies or private companies and do not represent a community so it is difficult for them to have supporters other than their own employees. If you don't like the military, certain state enterprises or companies, how can you support their football teams?
The FAT could face financial difficulties as the government recently cut the budget for next year's Thailand Premier League from 70 million baht to 36 million baht. The slashed 34 million baht has been allocated to a so-called sports TV station, which has been unpopular because many people do not know of its existence. The SAT has promised to find additional funds to maintain the 70 million baht budget for the Thai league. This only proves that most clubs do not have their own income. They still rely heavily on financial support from the government and cannot survive by themselves.
The FAT has to improve the Thailand Premier League as soon as possible or it could decline even further. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has excluded Thailand from the elite group of 14 nations, each of which receives an automatic berth in the AFC Champions League. The AFC cited that many Thai clubs were not run properly and lacked supporters, among other reasons. As a result, the Thai champions will have to play in the qualifying stages from next season.
In the meantime, a recent league match in Nakhon Pathom became chaotic when home supporters attacked the referee after the hosts lost 2-0 to BEC Tero Sasana. The incident took place in front of a Cabinet minister who is an MP for the province. It was not the first time that the match officials were attacked by angry fans or club officials who were upset by decisions against their teams. The latest incident may prove that a Thai League match is not better than a game at a temple fair. Surprisingly, the FAT handed Nakhon Pathom a very slight punishment; a fine of a mere 30,000 baht. It is further proof that the FAT is more like a paper tiger.
Tor Chittinand is the Bangkok Post's football writer. www.bangkokpost.com
Chonburi 1-2 Tobacco Monopoly - Programme: 2007
TPL
Chonburi 1-2 Tobacco Monopoly
Chonburi Municipal Stadium
27th November, 2007
Chonburi 1-2 Tobacco Monopoly - Highlights & TPL Trophy Presentation: 2007
TPL 27/11/07 Chonburi 1-2 Tobacco Monopoly
Tuesday 26 November 2019
Oh Dear, What Can The Matter Be? by Dale Farrington: 2006
The strange case of the delayed second half at the 2006 Singapore Cup final.
In November, 2006, we were the first overseas club to reach the final of the Singapore Cup. And we 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, who had gathered in the national stadium, 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 Rovers 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 likeliest 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. Nor can it detract from the bizarre spectacle we witnessed at half time.
With a foreign side making it all the way to the showpiece, our hosts felt it appropriate to enlist the services of a popular Thai singer to provide the entertainment during the break. At the time, Palmy was probably the biggest name in the business so the local FA pulled off something of a coup by getting her to perform.
Even though she was only there as light relief while the players enjoyed cups of tea and orange slices and the fans refilled their glasses, the young Thai/Belgian was determined to put on a show. With a state of the art wireless microphone in hand, she was able to prance about wherever she liked, while her band stood (and sat, in the case of the drummer) rooted to the stage in front of the main stand.
After singing her opening number to the dignitaries on the far side, she bounded barefoot (barefoot!) across the field to a more appreciative audience of Thai fans. We all went wild as the young chanteuse sang and danced before us. Gifts were showered upon her (including my shirt that she’s holding the photo) as she rattled through her greatest hits. So entranced were we by her performance, that none of us noticed that the teams had come out ready to resume the match. In fact, they’d been out for quite some time before anyone paid them any attention.
Still Palmy sang and still we partied in the stands. Eventually, the plug was pulled (Boo!) and the game could continue. At least that as the intention.
It was only when the referee was counting the personnel that he - and we - realised there was no-one in the Chonburi goal. Our keeper, Badra Ali, was missing! Where was he? What was he doing? Why had nobody spotted until now that he was absent?
Frantic discussions took place and finally someone from the Sharks’ coaching staff was despatched to the changing rooms. A short while later (half time had now lasted about 40 minutes), the staff member re-emerged, with the sheepish looking custodian walking a few steps behind him. The man in the middle promptly brandished a yellow card to the bemused keeper before he took up his position between the sticks. We were finally ready to restart.
As much as we were all engrossed in the action on the field for the remainder of the tie, there was still a lot of speculation as to what had delayed Ali’s return. We found out the following day that he had locked himself in the toilet. Surely Palmy’s singing wasn’t that bad! Was the singer poor?
In November, 2006, we were the first overseas club to reach the final of the Singapore Cup. And we 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, who had gathered in the national stadium, 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 Rovers 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 likeliest 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. Nor can it detract from the bizarre spectacle we witnessed at half time.
With a foreign side making it all the way to the showpiece, our hosts felt it appropriate to enlist the services of a popular Thai singer to provide the entertainment during the break. At the time, Palmy was probably the biggest name in the business so the local FA pulled off something of a coup by getting her to perform.
Even though she was only there as light relief while the players enjoyed cups of tea and orange slices and the fans refilled their glasses, the young Thai/Belgian was determined to put on a show. With a state of the art wireless microphone in hand, she was able to prance about wherever she liked, while her band stood (and sat, in the case of the drummer) rooted to the stage in front of the main stand.
After singing her opening number to the dignitaries on the far side, she bounded barefoot (barefoot!) across the field to a more appreciative audience of Thai fans. We all went wild as the young chanteuse sang and danced before us. Gifts were showered upon her (including my shirt that she’s holding the photo) as she rattled through her greatest hits. So entranced were we by her performance, that none of us noticed that the teams had come out ready to resume the match. In fact, they’d been out for quite some time before anyone paid them any attention.
Still Palmy sang and still we partied in the stands. Eventually, the plug was pulled (Boo!) and the game could continue. At least that as the intention.
It was only when the referee was counting the personnel that he - and we - realised there was no-one in the Chonburi goal. Our keeper, Badra Ali, was missing! Where was he? What was he doing? Why had nobody spotted until now that he was absent?
Frantic discussions took place and finally someone from the Sharks’ coaching staff was despatched to the changing rooms. A short while later (half time had now lasted about 40 minutes), the staff member re-emerged, with the sheepish looking custodian walking a few steps behind him. The man in the middle promptly brandished a yellow card to the bemused keeper before he took up his position between the sticks. We were finally ready to restart.
As much as we were all engrossed in the action on the field for the remainder of the tie, there was still a lot of speculation as to what had delayed Ali’s return. We found out the following day that he had locked himself in the toilet. Surely Palmy’s singing wasn’t that bad! Was the singer poor?
Chonburi FC Singapore Cup Final - Match Worn Shirt: 2006
Sarawut Janthaphan' match worn number 8 shirt from the 2006 Singapore Cup Final. Note the Thai Bev sponsors logo pasted over the original Chang one.
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