Charity Match
Chonburi 1-2 Thai Port
Princess Srindhorn Stadium, SriRacha
19th December, 2009
It was just like old times at Srindhorn yesterday. A couple of hundred in the stadium, a nice laid back atmosphere, a few beers and Witthaya Laohkul coaching the team. Lovely.
Chonburi started with their strongest available eleven and passed the ball around with great aplomb. They looked a lot sharper and quicker than the visitors, which is probably a good indication as to where the two clubs are at with their pre-season preparations.
Chonburi have already played two fairly competitive friendlies and a few more low key games whereas I believe that this was Thai Port's first run out. And it showed. They seemed quite a long way off the pace and I can't remember them having a serious effort on goal during the first forty five minutes.
Up at the other end, the home side were creating numerous chances but the hapless Benie couldn't capitalise. And the normally deadly Arthit was striking some rather wayward shots. Shooting aside, the midfield looked very impressive. Teerasak is improving every time I see him and Michael Byrne was unsettling the Thai Port players with his strong challenges. However, when the break came, the game was still scoreless.
The second half isn't really worth reporting on as it had more subs than the Soviet navy at the height of the Cold War. Every time the ball went out of play it seemed to be the cue for multiple changes to be made. To give you some sort of indication as to how things were, Thai Port brought a squad of thirty players and they all got a run out. On the Chonburi side, only Benie & Chonlatit played for the full ninety minutes.
All in all though, it was an enjoyable day and over a 100,000 Baht was raised to help the two Assumption College teachers who are in ill health and who have both been big supporters of local football for a number of years.
The match that preceded the main event, Chonburi Fan Club FC v Thai VIPs, was hugely entertaining and I was privileged enough to be involved - being called out of semi-retirement to represent the team I'd helped to establish four years ago. The Chonburi Fan Club side ran out as winners, by 4-2 and the game was played in a great spirit.
Chonburi FC Starting XI
1. Suchin Naknayom
2. Chonlatit Jantakam
3. Jetsadakorn Hemdaeng
4. Kriangkrai Pimrat
5. Arthit Sunthornphit
6. Michael Byrne
7. Adul Lahso
8. Teerasak Po-On
9. Ekaphan Inthasen
10. Pipob On-Mo
11. Jean Marc Benie
Scorer: Supasek Kaikeaw
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