T1
Chonburi 7-5 Chiang Mai (HT 4-2)
Scorers: Lukian (5), Sittichok, Si Thu Aung
Chonburi Stadium
Attendance: 3,390
Sunday 21st April
Chonburi line up
23. Kampol Pathom-Attakul
2. Noppanon Kachpalayuk
30. Kim Gyeong-Min
3. Zaw Min Tun
6. Alongkorn Prathumwong
19. Saharat Sonthisawat
24. Phanupong Phonsa
45. Park Hyun-Boem
10. Kroerkrit Thaweekarn (16. Si Thu Aung)
46. Patrick Cruz (22. Wattanasap Jarensri)
91. Lukian (11. Sittichok Phaso)
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
Man of the Match: Lukian
Match Report
How do you write a report for a match like this? Ninety minutes of absolute mayhem with more incident and excitement than we usually get in a whole season. It was madness, I tell ya. Madness!
There’s no point in trying to analyse the game, focus on the numerous mistakes made by the players on both teams or criticise the tactics. No, it’s far better to concentrate on the fact that we were regally entertained by two teams who tore up all the coaching manuals and played as if their lives depended on it. Just like we used to in the school playground.
Sure, there’ll be some people out there who will see this as a bad reflection of the Thai league. They’ll use the 7-5 scoreline to label it amateurish, naive, undisciplined etc – and I have seen a number of negative comments on social media – but let ’em. I’d much rather watch a twelve goal thriller than a flawless, tactically perfect 0-0 or 1-0. “Sunday morning pub football” was one comment I read. Well, I’d happily get up early on the Sabbath to watch more matches like the one I saw last night. Even if it meant missing ‘The Archers’ omnibus.
And what about Lukian? What a revelation he has been. His five goal haul last night – the highest by any Chonburi player in a single top flight fixture – has seen him rocket to the top of the scoring charts. And on this form, he’s going to take some shifting from this lofty peak. It’s a well worn cliche, but he really did look like he was going to score every time he got the ball…and very nearly did! The Chiang Mai defenders looked terrified and didn’t know how to stop him. Certainly not legally. It’s so nice to have a player who gets the fans buzzing like he does. It’s been a long time since we’ve had anyone who’s done that.
Credit too must go to his strike partner, Patrick Cruz. Even though the Brazilian has yet to find the net for the Sharks, his contribution can’t be overlooked. He takes a lot of the pressure off his compatriot and makes lots of unselfish runs to give his mate more space. It’s only a matter of time before he breaks his duck, and then we’ll see some fireworks. Imagine two of them banging in the goals! We could well break a few more records this year.
But whatever happens from here on in, we’ll always have April 21st, 2019. I don’t think I’ve ever had as much fun inside a football ground as I did yesterday evening. And I doubt I will again. Although with this Chonburi team…anything is possible!
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