TPL
Chonburi 3-1 Police Tero
Chonburi Stadium
Attendance: 3,480
Sunday 8th July, 2018
Match report
I think it's fair to say that this was a game of two halves. In the first period, we were sluggish, laboured and bereft of ideas. We also looked vulnerable every time Police Tero attacked and, but for some poor finishing, we could easily have seen a repeat of last week's debacle. The mood hanging over the half time beers was a sombre one, to say the least. Indeed, it was one of those nights when the decision of whether to drag ourselves back into the ground or stay outside drinking was debated at length.
However, after the break, there was a big improvement on the field and a renewed sense of optimism off it - thankfully it appeared that we had made the right choice to retake our seats. The introduction of Nebihi - replacing Waatanasupt - lifted the team and we started to create chances of our own. There was also a sense of purpose about our play that had been lacking during the opening forty five minutes. I've mentioned previously that the front three have failed to click as a unit, but last night there were signs that they are forming an understanding. Let's hope that they can build from here and the goals will start to flow. Matheus took both of his with aplomb and that should give him - and the others - plenty of confidence for the rest of the campaign.
Behind them, the midfield trio of Kroerkrit, Saharat and Worachit worked hard, denying the visitors any space and providing chances for the forwards. I've been critical of Kroerkrit and Worachit in the past, but during the second half of this game they showed what they are capable of, when they put their minds to it. The challenge for them now is to produce this form every time they step out onto the pitch. The next fixture - at home to Muang Thong Utd in the League Cup on Wednesday - will provide them with a much sterner test. There'll be nowhere to hide and I'd like to see them rise to the occasion. Go on, boys, make me eat my words!
I'm not getting carried away, and the team is still a long way from what I expect from a Chonburi side, but this win had a genuine good feel about it and we all went away with smiles on our faces. If we can follow it up with a decent display in the week (dare we dream?) there will be a real cause for optimism for the rest of the year. Some serious problems remain (behind the scenes as well), however, I feel a lot happier than I did this time last Monday!
Upwards and onwards!
Match report
by Peter Reeves
How? What? Why?: The Sequel.
It's been an interesting week. It started with the 11 goal Brian Rix farce on Sunday, and then allowed me a reminder of what football really is, with Belgium beating favourites Brazil and looking every inch the best in the world. We also had the 'other side', with pathetic Neymar and his, plus a few others, antics. Brazil do it, Uruguay did and Argentina did (well what do we expect). Is it me or is it mainly South Americans with a smattering of French and Spanish thrown in? Perhaps that's unfair. I've not seen much of the tournament.
So back to the Thai league. A big game this one for both teams . Police in a bit of trouble and Chonburi would be further in the mire if they lost.
And what a start! The first touch of the ball from the kick off saw it sail down the field, over the Sharks keeper and smack the bar. 3 cms lower and that's in. Would that have been the fastest goal ever? It deserved a goal, not only because it was a great effort, but for its audacity
Five minutes in and Police's game plan was evident. Pressing high up the pitch and players working their socks off. Chonburi were in terrible trouble, panic at times. The stand in keeper, Tanachai, had been tested a few times with this high intensity input before a cross in from the right on 11 minutes was finished off with a fabulous header. Robin Van Persie would've been proud of that one. It had been coming and the Sharks were in early trouble.
On 22, another move down the right and the cross was put in, but the effort was disallowed for offside. Replays showed probably not. You don't expect Thai officials to get those right.
Fifteen minutes later a rare Chonburi foray, saw a ball put in the box from the right, but Saharat blasted it hopelessly over.
Police were now dominant. Good passing and movement, quick to close down and Chonburi, the home team, had no answer. On 43, another Police ball in from the right and a free header from 1 yard. He missed. Sometimes these missed chance come back to haunt you.
We had our 'Neymar' moment when the Police 21 had gone down like he'd been shot after an innocuous tackle and two minutes later was up and running around. Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, the ref booked the Saharat for just making a tackle. Still we've come to expect that sort of thing.
Half time and the visitors had been better everywhere. Chonburi were lucky to be just one behind. Some of the Sharks passing resembled a blind team. Worachit was non existent, apart from a wild hack at a Police midfielder. Kroekrit, playing out of position in my opinion, was occasionally in the game, but it had been the visitors’ half.
Chonburi started the second half with a bit more effort, but Police still looked comfortable, and as the blues pushed forward, I fully expected the visitors to break and get another. A goal did come, but at the other end and against the run of play.
On 58 minutes, a ball was played into the box. Matheus’s first touch was awful, but he still managed to poke it home. Christmas had come early for the Sharks. Another followed a quarter of an hour later, when a static Police defence allowed Gyeong-Min a free header at the back post. He did put it away well though.
Again on 87, the defence stood and watched after a corner was cleared and played back in for a a third to be put in. There was a hint of offside, but the match was pretty much over by then.
Three huge points for Chonburi, when considering the game as a whole, they didn't deserve. They have moved up the table, but are still in trouble, as are most of the teams below them. On this showing, when they were outclassed for a good portion of the game by a team with real problems, they are in trouble.
How? I don't know. For most of the game, Police were better, but if you don't take your chances you give yourself problems.
What happened? They lost a game they should have won.
Why? Poor attitude and a lack of concentration in defence gifted goals to Chonburi after missing their own chances.
Chonburi fans will be happy though. It was an important three points, but for me, the warning signs are flashing brightly. It was not a good showing. They will have to do better than this if they want to erase the nerves that are very apparent.
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