Russ John's account of his visit to Bangkok for the League Cup semi final between Nakorn Ratchasima and Chiang Rai Utd, on 19th September, 2018.
The minibus; Off to Pak Thong Chai to get the minibus to Bangkok. How these guys can do the trip for a mere 200 bt is amazing – great service. After two life threatening episodes in the first 5 minutes the driver settled into a pretty sedate drive to downtown Bangkok although the constant tail gating and lane swapping as we entered the Metropolis was pretty scary.
Next scary moment; Motorbike taxi to BTS Mo Chit. Now some of you might know that I am a motorbike fan, driving a big bike around with relative aplomb but being pillion on a motor bike taxi – not for me. I am a lanky lad and with knees stuck out in the breeze and elbows gently grazing the wing mirrors of Mercs and Beemers, this mode of transport is not for me and is not my choice of fun. As luck would have it, I was wearing my brown trousers for the trip!!!
Onto the BTS; At this point, it has to be said that my experience with public transport is pretty limited and finally discovering how to buy ticket and navigate was achieved with a certain amount of help from fellow travelers. I felt quite proud of myself when we arrived at Nana and just a 50 metre walk to my hotel.
The Nana experience; A nice night out the day before the big match, Nana plaza here I come!! To me Nana is like a cross between a scene from Bladerunner and the bar scene in hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy. It is busy, busy, busy, full of foreign looking chaps and very tall chappesses and you have to pay a bloody fortune to sit down for a drink…it does however have its plusses!!!
A gallon of lager and back to the hotel for some kip.
The Big Day; Breakfast was my first ever sub – felt like the last supper with growing anxiety about the match. 12 inches of pleasure but rather expensive – 6 inches would have sufficed – oh ‘er mother!!
The Match; League Cup Semi final played at Supachalasai Stadium
The Mascot; Always wanted a pic with the mascot – he smelt of ale!!
The Fans; You know we all have an occasional moan about football in Thailand but honestly, is there a better way to spend one’s time than mixing with Thai football fans. The genuine friendship, the whiskey and food offered, the insistence of taking selfies, the smell of the admixture of fart, ale and sweat, yes it’s a winner.
The Match; FT Chang Rai United 1 NRFC 1
Chiang Rai United beat Nakhon Ratchasima 3-1 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw at the Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok.
Chiang Rai started brightly and had the first effort on goal in the sixth minute when Phititwat struck his drive wide from 20 yards. After continual pressure, the Beetles opened the scoring five minutes later when Chaiyawat fired in.
In a half completely dominated by Chang Rai whose movement off the ball and slick passing left the Swatcats players chasing shadows, the men from Korat were lucky to go into the half only one down.
The phrase “the team did not turn up tonight” might have been ascribed to the Swatcats in the first half and at half time, it was difficult to see away back for the men in orange.
The second half commenced with a more determined approach from the Swatcats and they began to exert pressure on the Chang Rai defence. In the 49th minute Kunath went close with a clever header after a chipped pass from Pina. Chang Rai then countered and Siwakorn smashed in from 12 yards but the keeper managed to beat his drive away.
In the 68th minute a vicious Pina free kick was headed off the line as the Swatcats searched for an equalizer. With time running out, the Swatcats continued to dominate and their dominance was rewarded when they won a penalty in the 72ndminute. Thanasak brought down Leandro and the Brazilian took the kick himself, firing low into the corner to level the score.
On 78 minutes Swatcat elation was turned to despair when, with Chiang Rai fading, Jakkit slotted home at the far post but the flag was up for offside.
Full time ended with the Swatcats looking the stronger of the two teams although Sivacorn had a chance to win the tie in the dying minutes with his rasping drive going narrowly wide.
A largely uneventful first period of extra time was followed by a second period in which the Swatcats had their chances to seal the tie. Assumpcao prodded over from 6 yards out and then the striker had a real chance to win it when he swiveled but his shot went straight into the keeper’s arms.
The tie then went to penalties and misses from Shahrel, Jakkit and Chanatphon sealed the tie for Chang Rai.
The defeat; There was a glorious inevitability about this defeat but we live to fight on – another year in the Premiership to come, a few beers to drink and perhaps a few tears will be shed.
Back home again; Well, back home – shaken but not stirred, no victory but a bloody good trip. An admixture of football and all the other delights that Bangkok has to offer – can’t wait for the next trip … I bloody love Thai football!!
No comments:
Post a Comment