TPL
Muang Thong Utd 1-1 Chonburi
SCG Stadium
Attendance 14,114
Gate Receipts: B1,211,000
Merchandise: B1,285,714
Saturday 7th September, 2013
Match Report
TEN THINGS WE LEARNED FROM MUANG THONG UTD v CHONBURI
1. Muang Thong Utd Still Consider Us To Be Their Biggest Rivals
"This Is The Match We Are Waiting For", boasts the advertising poster which was given away free to fans before the game (a nice gesture). The fixture also attracted Muang Thong Utd's biggest crowd of the season - 14,114 - proving that in the minds of the "Ultras", and the marketing department, Chonburi are still the biggest box office draw in the TPL. That's comforting to know.
2. Muang Thong Utd's Security Staff Watch Too Many Movies
Menacingly dressed in black, some with shades, some with scarves covering their faces and all carrying riot shields and batons, the local security detail cuts a rather sinister figure. These guys are all obviously fans of Vin Diesel, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Arnold Schwarzenegger and just ooze testosterone. They are the kind of tough nuts who would seemingly relish cracking skulls. But why were they there? There was no hint of trouble before, during or after the match and if there had have been, you can guarantee that in spite of all their posturing, they would be on their toes as soon as the first punch was thrown. Ridiculous and unnecessary.
3. Muang Thong Utd Obviously Don't Restrict Ticket Sales
Within seconds of getting out of our car, we were surrounded by touts with fistfuls of tickets for a match which had been advertised as "Sold Out". And during our five minute walk to the ground, we must have been accosted about a dozen times by Scalpers hawking their wares. How did they get hold of so many tickets? Visiting Chonburi fans had been restricted to two per person - a rule which was strictly enforced - so maybe it's time for Muang Thong Utd to revise their ticketing policy for their own fans.
4. Muang Thong Utd's Toilets Are The Best In The TPL
Obviously I can only comment on the mens' toilets but they are absolutely luxurious. Real five star quality bogs; clean and spacious. I'm not sure if I imagined it or not but they may even have piped music playing in there. Lovely decor too.
5. In Spite Of The Nationwide Alcohol Price Increase, Three Cans Of Chang Still Cost B100
The vendors outside the ground were still selling three cans of Chang for B100 (Leo was B120). Considering that alcohol prices have gone up all across Thailand this week, this was a fantastic gesture. It was tempting to stock up but that would have been selfish.
6. Thai TV Companies Like To Film People In Pre Match Conversation
I didn't spot him at first but a Thai TV cameraman was filming one of our pre match conversations for a good few minutes. If I'd seen him early enough, I would have immediately started talking in glowing terms about this very website. However, all he got were discussions about Transcendental Idealism, 72" tv screens and Porridge: The Movie. I wonder what the viewers thought?
7. Playing Seven Defenders Is Really Not A Good Idea
We have employed this tactic before - with disastrous consequences - so why we tried it again is truly baffling. In last week's match report, I waxed lyrical about how balanced the team had looked and I was expecting something similar again yesterday. However, our coaches thought differently and sent out a side that contained seven defenders - including four (count 'em!) centre halfs. Bizarre. Of course, it backfired in the first minute when the home side took the lead. Thankfully, the players showed a bit of spirit and kept the damage down to a minimum, until we were able to change things round at half time. The team that started the second period had a much more even look about it and I thought we thoroughly deserved our point.
8. Some Referees Do Enforce The Six Second Law
After going through almost a full season without seeing a goalkeeper being penalised for breaking the Six Second Law - I'd actually started to doubt whether this law still applied or not- I finally got to see a referee award a free kick for such a transgression. Unfortunately, it was given against our very own Sinthaweecha Hathairattanakool. Some you win. Some you lose. The next thing you know, they'll be punishing foul throws!
9. That Thing At The End Of Matches When The Teams Stand In Front Of Their Fans To Be Serenaded Is Almost As Annoying As The Huddle
Our fans have only recently started to do this and it is already annoying me. There's no need for it. Clap 'em if they've played well. Boo 'em if they've been rubbish. But please don't make them stand around like a bunch of lemons just so you can show your undying support.
10. The Gap Between The Top Two And The Rest Isn't That Great
Regular readers will know that I think we've been pretty poor overall this season (yet somehow we're still third!). However, yesterday's performance showed that the perceived gap between the top two in the TPL and the rest is a myth. I didn't think Muang Thong Utd were that special and we more than matched them - which is more than can be said for the home game earlier in the year. It will be interesting to see how we fare against Buriram Utd at the end of the month. A draw - or better - will just add weight to my argument that the standard in the TPL is on the decline.
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