5. 3/10/18 Port 5-0 Chonburi: TPL
Match report
by Dale Farrington
Oh, what's the bloody point..?
4. 8/8/18 Chonburi 4-6 Bangkok Glass (AET): League Cup
Match report
by Peter Reeves
The Titanic was unsinkable, they tell me.
Someone questioned a few weeks ago why I watch Thai football if I'm so negative about it. This is why. No plastic English PL for me, thank you. With its no limit on foreigners nutty idea, built to bolster Murdoch's bank balance and sod everything else, though people are too stupid to realise it. No, last night’s match was right up there with the 'Parrot Sketch' and 'Fork 'andles’. From a footballing point of view it highlighted the woeful quality of teams, officials and players on show every week at many grounds, but for the neutral, just pure entertainment. And what a roller coaster.
I’d hardly settled in to my seat and strapped in before a ball is played through where the home defence was supposed to be. A Bangkok Glass forward runs towards goal. The keeper, Tanachai, comes out and, at the crucial moment, leaps in a star jump, like 4 million volts had been put through him, and the striker rolls it into an unguarded net. 0-1. Did I just see that? was my first reaction.
I was still laughing when, a few minutes later, Smith was shepherding a ball back to the keeper, who was slow, very slow, to come and do something. Smith panics, realizing the keeper wasn't coming, half clears it straight to Worachit. 1-1 in the first 6 minutes. It didn't stop either.
On 10, more comedy, as a cross into the visitors’ box wasn't cleared. A couple of passes through the stationery away defence and in it went, 2-1.
Of course this could not carry on and it didn't. The rest of the half returned to the bland normality expected, as Chonburi got on top of the match and ended the half looking like all would be OK. Yeah, right! They were only warming us up.
Changes at half time, as the visitors’ wide players tucked in a bit to give some midfield support, and it was Bangkok who took control.
Seven minutes into the second half, a glaring miss for an equalizer. Then on 63, they smashed the bar. Five minutes later Tanachai was forced to make a good save from a corner.
Chonburi were reeling a bit, but just as it seemed they might fold, Ciro got across the face of the box with 19 minutes to go and unleashed a good one, 3-1. Game over. Close it out now. No long balls giving away possession, keep it on the floor and at the back for a while. That's all they had to do. Assuming of course they knew how to do that and had a coach that knew how to do that. Erm..!
But, it was a case of ‘here we go again’. Just 3 minutes later, a poor Sharks effort to clear the ball from their own box reached a Glass player who took one pace forward and put a shot over the keeper’s head. He should've saved it. 3-2.
A minute - yes one minute later - a Bangkok cross from the left and a header, unchallenged by defenders who just stood and watched, made it 3-3. 6 minutes earlier it had been 3-1. I don't know what my reaction might have been had I been a Chonburi fan in the ground, but I doubt it would have been very articulate or pleasant.
On we went. The referee decided it was time for him to get in on the comedy, allowing Mattheus, who was at least 3 yards offside, to run through and get brought down in the box. Penalty. The ball landing on the beach from the spot kick seemed the likeliest outcome, given what had gone before and especially as it was to be taken by Worachit, not noted for his dead ball intelligence. Nevertheless, he put it in. 4-3.
Right, you morons, there are 6 minutes left. Close it out. Do what it takes. Just don't concede another. Silly me.
Bangkok Glass had a golden chance to equalize on 90, but it was headed over. I am now standing in front of my large TV, screaming in the faces of these blue idiots, asking them, not so politely, why they are allowing the visitors so much bloody room. The dog's run away, the wife's gone to 7-11, so it's just me and that bloody apology of a coach. I looked at my watch. 93 minutes played now. 30 seconds left and they give away a free kick.
You just knew didn't you. In it came, Bangkok made three, count 'em, three headers unchallenged and in it went.
Twice Chonburi had the game won and now extra time. Tea. The dog comes in. The wife comes back, 'Who won?' she asks and looks in horror at the tv to see extra time starting.
There was only going to be one winner from here. Another free header and its 4-5 and then with a few minutes left a Chonburi player fannying about in the centre circle loses possession. Three against one and its 4-6.
From watching this, last week's debacle in the FA Cup, and some poor league performances, we have a club in crisis. Years of mis-management, poor marketing and community relations, allowing the best players to leave and a general management malaise, has left them bereft of even the ability to show any spirit on match days.
A once proud club on its knees. You can blame the coach, and I don't because he's not a coach and hasn't got a clue. You can blame players, most of whom have been signed as 'filler’, but the buck stops upstairs. The coach should never have been appointed, but then you can ask who else is there? No one.
There are a couple of players in there who might do OK, but only elsewhere, not in Chonburi. The atmosphere is visibly toxic. You get the feeling that the owners would prefer out of it now. Anyone got a few quid? There's an iceberg in sight.
3. 1/7/18 Bangkok Glass 7-4 Chonburi: TPL
Match report
by Dale Farrington
I spent the best part of Sunday morning and early afternoon catching up with an old friend who lives close to the SCG Stadium. We put the world to rights over beans on toast and numerous cups of tea. It was a lovely, peaceful start to the day. But then reality called and I had to make the short (in terms of distance) trip from his house to one of my favourite Thai football grounds; The Leo Stadium. Apart from a solitary clear stretch on the motorway, the journey was a nightmare! Virtually nose to tail all the way, but I patiently soldiered on. I had a match to get to!
Finally, and after battling through this ridiculously heavy traffic, I arrived at my destination to meet up with some more my mates, Tim and Clare. We chatted about music, food, family, colleagues and holiday plans, but not the game that we were about to see. If I’m being honest, I don’t think any of us thought it was going to be too entertaining. One other topic of conversation was the weather and, following some sage advice from the latter, I took a mad, late dash to my car to pick up my brolly. It would prove to be a wise move.
Back at the ground, I made my way to the away end to be met by what seemed like an entire regiment of security staff. I was stopped and searched by four - count ‘em - different guards. They were friendly enough, but was it really necessary?. What were they expecting to find? Whatever it was, I didn’t have it and was waved through.
After buying our beers from the bar inside (Hello again, Chonburi management!) we ensconced ourselves in the stand, where the first thing that caught our collective eye (is that a phrase?) was our striking new third kit. We all thought that it looked lovely, but still couldn’t agree on whether it was red or orange.
We were still debating this when Ariel Araya opened the scoring for Bangkok Glass. He then proceeded to remove his top in celebration. A ridiculous thing to do. A silly, needless yellow card so early in the game. Why put yourself, and your teammates, under pressure in this way? Surely the Sharks defenders would now be winding him up at every opportunity. Wouldn’t they? Well...no. We’re not that streetwise.
Ten minutes later, we were level, courtesy of boy wonder/overrated kid, Worachit. The three of us concurred that we’d be happy if it stayed that way and we’d take a point now, if it were offered. Sadly, the footballing gods had other ideas and we were soon three-one down. It was then that things started to get really weird.
The rain, that Clare had predicted, started. Not with a few drops, but with an absolute deluge. This prompted a mass exodus of fans, who sought cover beneath the stands. Initially, I battled on bravely under my umbrella, but even I had to admit defeat when a strong gust of wind turned it inside out. I ran as quickly as I could down the steps, seeking shelter.
After a few minutes in the relative dry of the concourse, I had a change of heart. Fearing that I might be missing something - we’d already had four goals in twenty minutes - I decided to return to the terraces, minus protection. I was drenched in seconds, but I didn’t care. In years to come, when the story of Chonburi’s glorious comeback was told, I’d be able to puff out my chest and say “I was there!” And, sure enough, as the rain fell horizontally and the twenty or so hardy souls who were as foolish as me, were rewarded by a second Chonburi goal. We went suitably mad!
I was really enjoying this. It was fast turning into one of the best away trips of recent years. The camaraderie between the fans was a real throwback to the much missed early days.I don’t think any of us thought we were watching a classic, but the whole thing was crazy enough to provide us with plenty of entertainment. So we danced and sang as the madness played out in front of us. Chonburi even came close to equalising. Which would have been perfect, but you can’t have everything.
Anyway, half time arrived and I headed back “down under”. It had been thirsty work out there and I fancied another drink. After fighting my way through the crush at the bar - people weren’t buying refreshments, this was the only place where the roof wasn’t leaking - I checked in with Tim and Clare, who were conversing with a man who’d just returned from the World Cup. What a contrast for him! Once I was satisfied that they and, more importantly, my bag, was dry (sorry, guys. I love you really), I climbed the slippery stairs that led up to the terraces, ready for more of the same.
Then, as the Chonburi players took the field for the start of the second half, proceedings took another twist - all the lights went out and the ground was plunged into total darkness. Cue the cheers from the visiting supporters. After a few minutes of peering into the eerie abyss, a couple of lights flickered and then went off again. Cue more cheers. This scenario was repeated for about the next fifteen minutes, until the power was eventually restored, revealing our lot standing on the touchline. They’d been there the whole time. Brave or foolish? I’ll let you decide.
A short while later, the opposition emerged from the relative sanctuary of the dressing room. What can it have been like in there? I guess we’ll never know, but it must have affected them in some strange way because moments after the restart, the Sharks drew level, causing chaos around me.
The rain was now easing and the majority of fans had retaken their places in the stand to see if the impossible could happen. It didn’t, but things did get even dafter.
Both sides appeared to completely abandon any idea of shape and tactics. It was a free for all. Pandemonium in the puddles. A primary school playtime match: Year 3 v Year 4. There was clearly something in the air that influenced the collective psyche of twenty two footballers. It was mayhem.
Every time they attacked, I thought they were going to score. Every time we attacked, I thought they were going to break away and score. It was that type of night. And the goals kept on coming: 4-3; 5-3; 6-3; 6-4; 7-4. Where would it end? It could have been anything at full time.
The fifth - or was it the sixth? - Bangkok Glass goal provided us with another talking point and reaction. As David Veloso wheeled away after watching his shot hit the net, he became the second Rabbit to remove his shirt in celebration.
“He’s wearing a sports bra!” exclaimed Clare.
“He’s wearing a sports bra! I’ve never seen that on a man before. Have you?!” she continued.
“I can’t believe it! I can’t believe what I’ve just seen. A man! In a sports bra!”
Even though there was one - or maybe two - goal(s) after this incident, it was to be the last major talking point of the match. It had clearly made an impression on Clare. Well, I guess it’s not everyday you see a man wearing a sports bra.
When the final whistle went, we just looked at each other and shrugged. What else could we do? A couple of dodgy refereeing decisions aside - and he certainly favoured the home team all night - there was nothing really to get annoyed about. It was a freak show. An aberration. Something we’ll be able to tell our grandkids - and anyone else within earshot - all about in the future. We’d used two goalkeepers (although not at the same time. Which probably wouldn’t have made any difference) and conceded seven goals. We’d scored four too - equalling our highest league tally of the year - but it had all felt so strange.
And, as we trudged towards the exit, Clare - who had clearly recovered from the shock of seeing a man in a sports bra - wearily observed that it felt like we’d been in the ground for days. I knew exactly what she meant. It was if we’d be transported to another world (The Thai football equivalent of Narnia) and had been trapped there, unable to escape to reality. And then, as we filed out, it was as if no time had passed at all. Had we been part of some elaborate joke? Or weird experiment? It certainly felt that way.
After all this, you won’t be surprised to learn that the drive home was a nightmare. Heavy torrential rain made things very difficult indeed. However, it just added to the overall surreal atmosphere of the whole day. It’s certainly one I won’t forget in a hurry and could yet prove to be one of the most pivotal ones in the club’s history. We certainly can’t afford another performance like this, especially with Muang Thong Utd and Buriram Utd coming up. They could easily score double figures. And, as anyone who witnessed that debacle at the weekend will testify, that is no exaggeration. Or did I dream the whole thing? Maybe those beans on toast were spiked? Even now I can't be sure.
2. 5/8/17 Bangkok Utd 7-2 Chonburi: TPL
Match report
by Peter Reeves
How the mighty have fallen.
In a little over a year writing these reports I have drawn my fair share of criticism for negative comments and even been called narcissistic. Everyone has their opinions and rightly so. The reality is that here you have a team who not so long ago were League Champions, with a fanatical supporter base, that have been reduced to this. Take away the Super Power result from the last half a dozen games and have a look at the goal difference. Take away the dozen or so points they have accrued from atrocious refereeing decisions, dodgy penalties and getting points in games where they had been outplayed and have a look at the league table now. Let’s get real instead of pretending.
In the red corner Bangkok United. Organised, committed, quality in their foreign contingent and where they are a bit weaker, a good system of play covers it up. As a club they have their problems, but on the field, by Thai standards, very good. Goals coming from everywhere and but for a dodgy start to the season, would have been clear at the top. Clearly the best footballing side in the league, with Buriram a close second. They are again by Thai standards a class act and always good to watch.
In the blue corner Chonburi. A league place not deserved by how they play. No organisation or structure, poor foreigners, lack of quality, commitment and understanding everywhere and looking like a park team.
This sort of result has been likely to happen and in a couple of recent matches could have happened before this, but the Angels were always going to take the Sharks apart. It was just a case of by how many. I hear people say what must it be like to support SuperPower? Have a look Chonburi. With 17 goals conceded in 3 matches of the last 6, you aren’t far behind.
I am not going to mention each goal only the two Chonburi scored. Both were defensive lapses brought on by the ease of the match with players sleeping a bit. They hardly mattered.
Bangkok saw the Sharks defence and licked their lips. How many times have I mentioned here about full backs pushing up too far and leaving the flanks exposed? Bangkok had a look at that. How many times were they getting through on the flanks with no one even close to an attacker? Chonburi’s formation was a back 2 and everyone else go where you like. And how long has this been going on? Has anything at all been done? Nothing.
Chanin made a few decent saves at full stretch and in the second half Bangkok on 4 occasions broke in on the left side and from 3 yards out were passing the ball around the box instead of someone putting some leather on it. This could easily have been 11 or 12 conceded not 7. Chonburi let in 7 but got out of jail from a defeat that would have made SuperPower look like a mid-table team. The Angels players were having a great time. Smiles all over their faces even when they missing simple chances in the box.
No doubt the wonderful PR team at Chonburi will come out with “crisis what crisis?” A complete refusal to look at facts is the norm. But then we must remember, Thai’s in football do everything better than everyone else. You think so? What is wrong with Chonburi? Everything. From top to bottom. Off the field and on it. How many fans made the short journey up to Bangkok? How many would go a few years ago?
Bangkok United. On the field real quality. Exciting, committed, organized and all without buying half the national team. Off the field not right of course. What was the attendance? For a team playing with such style and swagger that is very poor so that has got to be sorted out, and sorted out it must be while they are riding high.
This, as a neutral, was uncomfortable to watch. You feared for what was going to happen to the blues. I can’t imagine what it must be like to support them. Credit to those who still go. Many have long since given up with the once mighty Chonburi.
1. 9/2/16 FC Tokyo 9-0 Chonburi: AFC CL Qualifier
Match report & highlights
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