The first leg of the Singapore v Thailand 2007 AFF Cup final was a fiery affair, that ended with the hosts holding a slender 2-1 lead, thanks to a controversial late penalty. The decision to award the spot kick also led to the visitors walking off in protest and holding up the match for about 20 minutes. The return in Bangkok promised to be equally explosive, both on and off the field, as the press whipped the locals into a mad, nationalistic frenzy.
Demand for tickets had been high and there were even demonstrations about the way sales had been handled, which meant that thousands of fans missed out. The authorities called for calm and the police promised to put a 'Ring of Steel' around the Supachalasai in order to prevent trouble and to stop ticketless supporters getting anywhere near the ground. In addition, there was to be a complete ban on alcohol within a two kilometere radius of the stadium.
Anyone who has had any experience of these kind of proclamations from those in authority felt the same way that I did - "Yeah, sure. That's not going to happen." However, on match day, everything that had been promised (threatened?) happened. Our Chonburi fan club bus was stopped just outside the exclusion zone and searched by armed police, who confiscated all the beer on board. As we approached the venue, I noticed all the little shops and stalls that normally sold refreshing beverages when there was a match on were absent and there was a large police presence ensuring that it would stay that way.
"Crikey!" I thought in amazement. "They're actually doing it!"
There were more stringent checks at the entrance as people were searched and had their tickets scrutinised by eagle eyed officials. This was proper stuff. It was just like being at a high profile Category C fixture back in England and not at all like the usual laid back approach we were used to over here.
Inside the ground, the small band of visting fans were cordoned off by armed police and vast swathes of empty seats - I took a moment to spare a thought or all those who couldn't get tickets - and there were officers employed at every gate in all the other stands. The message was clear - "We will stand for no messing and we are serious."
Once the match started, all attention turned away from the crowd and focussed on the action on the pitch. You could see that the Thais meant business out there too, as they tore into their opponents in order to wipe out the deficit. After about five minutes play, I had a quick glance around to see if we were still under heavy manners. However, what I saw made my eyes leap out on stalks - two men were walking down the steps carrying beer! I looked the other way and saw more people doing the same. What was going on? Was I dreaming?
I then noticed that all the police had disappeared from their posts and fans were heading for the exits in droves. I followed. Then, at the bottom of the steps I witnessed the reason for this "exodus". Some enterprising souls had set up beer stalls outside and were selling their wares to the punters through the big metal gates. There was quite a queue and money and goods were changing hands quickly. Within about half an hour, the whole stadium was awsash with alcohol. Thankfully, this didn't lead to mass riots, even though Thailand eventually lost on aggregate, after a 1-1 draw.
Normal service had resumed.
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