Chonburi 1-1 ToT
Chonburi Stadium
2nd November, 2014
Match Report
by Rob Bernard
I was back in Thailand once again in October; a country I had thoroughly loved visiting for sport, sightseeing and socialising many times over the previous ten years. This time I was scheduled to spend the first week with my pals of the Beer Battered Seadogs Cricket Club in Pattaya before heading up to Bangkok to play in the Chaophya Park Thailand International Cricket Sixes. The second week would see some time spent in Singapore before returning to the Land of Smiles for the last round of Thai Premier League matches.
It looked like I’d finally get to watch a Chonburi home game on Wednesday 22nd October as the fixtures had them down to play a home game against Bangkok United. My team mates were also keen on the idea, so plans were put in place with Dale Farrington, who runs this website. That was until the Thai FA had other ideas.
The last six rounds of fixtures were changed with just 10 days notice. It looked like I wouldn’t get to Chonburi Stadium after all.
However, fate was to play a hand. I had intended to go to the PAT Stadium for Singhtarua v Sisaket on the final day. Unfortunately the stupidity of some of their supporters along with those of Muang Thong United had led to their fans been banned from the last four rounds of games and each club being deducted nine points.
Despite me having an early flight on the Monday after the final game, I contacted Dale in the hope of getting a ticket for the possible league decider against TOT. Things had been going swimmingly for The Sharks as they had reached the FA Cup Final and were top of the table with two games remaining. The previous Wednesday they slipped up and drew 1-1 at Chainat while nearest challengers Buriram United, owned by Leicester City owners King Power had brushed aside TOT in Bangkok. On judgement day Chonburi needed to win and hope Buriram didn’t against Police United.
Dale passed on the good news that he’d sorted me a ticket so the trip was on. My good pal Steve’s girlfriend Fah sorted me a taxi out from my hotel on the outskirts of the capital down the gulf to the match, so off we set as heavy rain engulfed the area. We got slightly lost and passed the school field I’d visited a few years earlier in the belief that it was the home of the Sharks. How little I knew back then!
There was a certain irony not lost on Dale or myself as a Scarborough and Oldham Athletic fan met on a miserable afternoon weather wise. “All we are missing is the chippy over the road”, as my host commented.
We settled down to some pre match beers as other expats started to arrive, some with their wives. Tim and Brian had gone to the midweek game and weren’t especially impressed with the tactics of coach Wada or the match officials. The general consensus was that Chonburi’s chance had gone with their draw a few days previously, although the supply of Chang’s installed a little more optimism from the growing crowd.
Dale had added some humour to what was obviously going to be a tense couple of hours as the gang were provided with masks of Wednesday’s linesman Suchart Fangmala and miniature linesmen flags to wave just like their ‘favourite’ linesman had done at Chainat to rule out a couple of seemingly legitimate goals.
The rain abated as we entered Chonburi Stadium post King’s Anthem. It was comforting to be with other fans who also made the last minute dash. Despite the athletic track around the pitch, it was an impressive sight from upstairs in the Main Stand.So were the amount of replica shirts on show. The home fans were certainly up for it, as was star man Tiago Cunha. He opened the scoring with an incredible overhead kick to send the vast majority of the near capacity crowd into raptures. It really was a world class goal.
We returned to find our bag of beers still waiting on the table by the security guys by the entrance. Somehow I couldn’t imagine that scenario being respected back in the UK. Hope sprung eternal amongst the ex pat Sharks. The only downer was that Buriram had also gone in one nil up.
Before I left Bangkok I had predicted to Steve that there would be some inaccurate score rumours go around the stadium at some point. Brian had the scores on his phone but they sometimes took a minute or so to update. A massive roar went round the stadium like wildfire a few minutes after the interval. It appeared Police had equalised in the other match. Within a minute or so the place was going absolutely berserk. Hand signals were showing 2-1 to Police. Brian’s phone was not showing any change. I tried to ring Steve but communication was impossible in the ensuing bedlam.
Unfortunately it seemed to affect the home team as they lost concentration. And Chonburi’s SuttinunPhuk-hom headed the equaliser past his own keeper. There was a mixture of shock and anger, but still plenty of time left. A lifeline was thrown up north as Police pulled a goal back. The title was still up for grabs.
TOT defended like lions as well as being ultra professional in falling down at convenient moments. The stretcher bearers were put on double time with their exertions carting off the stricken visitors who re-appeared Lazurus style within seconds. I feared Dale was going to pop when Chonburi threw TOT the ball back after one such display of chicanery. Half chances went begging. Tiago argued with everyone including himself, while FodeDiakite contrived to miss a relatively simple header in front of goal. If truth be told the Sharks lacked ideas. It turned into a game of attack against defence, as seen on training grounds around the world. It was extremely frustrating for my pals.
The referee blew his whistle to end the agony. Buriram had held on to lift the TPL. TOT avoided relegation. The home side received a deserved great ovation. I followed Dale and his wife Nui to the barrier near to where the players sometimes came back out. Before long TOT’s Bas Savage who had enjoyed a good lower division career in England joined us for an enlightening chat about life as an overseas player in the TPL. He turned out to be a really top bloke.
Dale kindly dropped me at Central Plaza, as Nui negotiated me a taxi back to Minburi. I got back to see the other goals on the TV in an open street bar as a band played their own brand of rock music. They must have been good as I bought them a beer each!Singhtarua had also avoided relegation in their vital clash. The away end seemed oddly packed and celebrating when they scored. Some enterprising fans had ‘adopted’ Sisaket for the day!
It had been a near perfect last day of my holiday. Seeing my wonderfully hospitable hosts celebrating with the title would have been the icing on the cake. I pass on my thanks and eternal gratitude for looking after me on what must have been a difficult day alongside a neutral. The ticket was definitely worth £4!
Good luck Chonburi on Sunday. I’ll be cheering you on from the cold of North West London in the hope that you crown a tremendous season by lifting the FA Cup.
You can visit Rob's excellent Hopping All Over the World site HERE
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