TPL
Chonburi 0-0 Muang Thong Utd
IPE Stadium
Attendance: 12,180
Sunday 25th July, 2010
Match Report
A fairly unremarkable match in which the only real incident of note involved the coaching staff. Midway through the second half, Muang Thong striker, Yaya, playing what was expected to be his last match before moving to Belgium, made a rather petulant gesture in the direction of the Chonburi bench. Assistant coach, Jukkapant Punpee, reacted angrily, which in turn incensed the visitor's boss, Rene Desaeyere. Within a few seconds various members of the security staff had stepped in to try and calm things down, or wind things up, depending on your point of view.
When it had cooled off enough, the referee's response was to send both Jukkapant and Rene to the stands. The home man went fairly quietly, but the controversial Belgian stood his ground, seemingly intent on carrying on the argument with anybody and everybody who got in his way. After a couple of minutes of pushing, shoving, shouting and gesticulating he was escorted to the seats in the main stand, where he stood out the rest of the game in brooding silence.
It all seemed rather unnecessary but it's not the first time that Desaeyere has been involved in such a fracas. His touchline antics are always bound to attract attention and cause controversy. I don't have a problem with coaches being animated and willing on their team, which at least shows some passion, but his constant challenging of virtually every decision given against his players and brandishing of imaginary cards goes against the grain. He's already been in trouble with the Thai football authorities and has been issued a touchline ban from his club's next AFC Cup match. You'd think he'd have learnt his lesson. The team are good enough to do their talking on the pitch, without their coach indulging in such behaviour.
As for the game itself, Muang Thong had the lion's share of possession in the first half. And they had the best chance, when Yaya's shot hit the post and the ball rebounded out to Kone. However, the former Chonburi man shot wide with Sinthaweechai stranded. The second period was a lot more even and the Sharks enjoyed their best spell of the match during the last twenty minutes - was it just coincidence that this happened following the introduction of Michael Byrne? All in all the fixture didn't really live up to its billing and a draw was probably a fair result. My guess is that the visitors will be a lot happier with the point than we are, but this season is far from over.
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