My Favourite Match
by Rob Bernard
During the summer I headed to Germany to escape the ban on supporters in England at football during the pandemic by watching a few lower league friendlies. I was sat at a game in Duisburg between sides from the seventh and eighth tier without a care in the world.
I received a text from a pal saying, “you do watch some crap.” Now the irony of such judgement from a Middlesbrough season ticket holder wasn’t lost on me, but he did have a point.
Which nicely ties into the conundrum I have faced while trying to select a favourite Thai match. I thank Dale for taking me back to my mediocre days as a scholar sat in front of a multiple choice exam, when not entirely sure of the definitive answer, so giving it my best guess.
I haven’t really been to too many games that I would call really good. But I’ve always had fun and never regretted going. If that makes sense. Maybe it’s because I’ve only ever attended while on holiday, when everything in the world seems good. Maybe it’s because I’m easily pleased? It’s probably because the football is only ever part of my adventure.
I always ensure that I surround it with travel or socialising, so even the worst game doesn’t really matter. I still grab plenty from being somewhere different and watching the people. The same as anywhere I watch a game.
Anyway, after much deliberating, I’ve gone for the following:
Thai Premier League
TOT SC 1-2 Port FC 2
ToT Stadium
Attendance: 1,580
Saturday 31st October, 2015
The last of my pals had gone home after a successful Beer Battered Seadogs cricket and sightseeing holiday after playing in a Sixes tournament in Bangkok. I had a sense of liberty. It had been fantastic fun but quite tiring organising and making sure everyone was comfortable. I needed a few hours of “me” time.
I had taken a few of them along with three ex-pat locals to Port’s home 2-0 defeat to Army United the previous Wednesday as they battled against relegation. Port, my favourite Thai side, had been awful in all honesty. The TOT game was about the last chance to start their serious challenge to stay up. The hosts sat bottom of the table, getting close to the point of requiring a miracle.
This was my second game of the evening and it had something to live up to. I’d earlier ventured to the north of the city to Thupatemee Stadium by Skytrain and then bus. I know my adventures don’t appeal to all, but this was heaven as I mixed in with the locals not fully knowing where I was or what I would find.
The 2-2 second tier game between Air Force Central and Police United had been very good. I was slightly reluctant to leave it before full time, but Port needed all the support that they could muster.
My taxi driver from Thupatemee Stadium spoke English and knew the way to the TOT Stadium, which was good news. He was honest enough to admit we would struggle to make kick off, but I told him that was no problem and just to do his best.
Unbelievably, we hit a standstill near Don Muang Airport underneath the tollway. Surely there hadn’t been an accident? My pilot told me that he’d seen on the news that there was some kind of official visit to the airport over the weekend. Perhaps we’d found it?
After nigh on ten minutes of not moving at all we suddenly went back to normal speed. It did look to be some kind of controlled blockage for access further up. Sure enough, my driver did know the way.
However, the main gate on Chang Watthana was closed to the TOT. I paid the driver up and set off with blistered feet back along and down Chang Watthana past the stadium. Vendors in the street were selling their wares to fans over the wall inside the ground.
The game was still 0-0 as I approached the away fans entrance behind the goal. I was turned away and told that I had to buy a ticket. Instead of having a ticket office nearby for away fans I had to go all the way round behind the Main Stand, past the away end and half the far side.
TOT had the nerve to charge 150 Baht (£3) for away fans. While that doesn’t sound much, it was to Thais, especially those who struggle in Khlong Toei. It was the most expensive ticket I’d paid for at a standing ticket in Thailand. They wanted 300 Baht to sit down the side!
Finally, I managed to get inside, and got myself a place on the back row of the rickety wooden stand. The unused TV gantry in the centre and netting didn’t help the view, the mud at the front was causing dust and mosquitos were biting hell out of me, but I was loving it.
This was a proper do or die relegation battle. My team had a great following and cared passionately. Full families, all in orange and blue, were cheering on Port, from babies to grandparents. The noise from the Khlong Toei Army was incessant, especially from the youths with the drum on the flat standing behind the goal. There must have been around 400 in the spartan away section.
Both teams were giving it everything; despite neither being very good. TOT played with the intensity of a Champions League side in a vital home leg, rather than a desperate bunch propping up the league. Port defended and broke like lions.
The home players Anucha Taiwong and Dutchman Luciano Dompig were causing problems to the visiting defence, but they held strong. On twenty-one minutes the away end went wild when the ball was fed wide. A great cross from the right came in to where an unmarked Wuttichai Tatong headed home.
Despite attacks from the home side, Port looked relatively solid and had plenty of play up the other end. Sadly, just like the previous match, there was far too much procrastination around the box without an end product. TOT were there for the taking, but Port lacked ambition and belief.
At half time I was hugged by several Thai Port fans and even asked to be in a couple of photos. I’m not sure who they thought I was? I enjoyed my first beer of the day, with smiles all around. It’s amazing how happy fans can be when their side are winning away from home.
After the break I stood up against the fence to catch the better atmosphere and because I didn’t trust the stands! An expat Englishman had a chat and made me very welcome. There was a small group of three or four others further along.
The bloke and his wife by me at the front had their junior daughter with them. I stepped aside so that she could stand on top of the fence and hang on to the netting. A girl behind was giving the ref some deserved stick, letting him know that she thought he was ‘mao’ (drunk!).
Inevitably Port’s attacks became fewer as TOT threw men forward. The tension was building in the away end. The occasional break wasn’t been capitalised on as the vital final ball was going astray. The home side bought on Bas Savage with twenty five minutes remaining.
I was lucky enough to have met Bas at the end of the previous season with Chonburi fan Dale as TOT staved off relegation and helped deprive the Sharks of the title. He was a smashing bloke, but I was less than pleased to see him again.
His pace, height and strength immediately changed the dynamics of the game. Why TOT manager, Tewet Kamonsilp hadn’t started with him was a mystery?
Nobody was massively surprised when TOT equalised with just eight minutes to go. It was Dompig who scored with a low shot. The home fans down the open side were going crazy. Port’s followers began the noise again after a few seconds of stunned silence.
Suddenly it dawned on the Port team and manager Masahiro Wada that a draw was no good. Fortunately, the home side could sense the chance of a winner and were also going for it. Play was end to end and not of great quality.
In the final minute of normal time a decent pass gave Port’s Hironori Saruta a chance of a shot. His first touch was awful, taking the ball away from goal, but he took a tumble as he looked to turn. Referee Taweechai Supatwan pointed to the spot. The place went mad.
After what seemed like a long delay as home players kept time wasting and encroaching into the area, David Rochela stepped up and smashed the ball into the bottom corner of the net as bedlam broke out all around. It doesn’t matter where you go in the world, or what standard; there’s nothing like a last minute winner away from home.
After a few minutes of stoppage time and no great alarms, the ref brought a halt to proceedings and further celebration. The home players came to the away section and were given a great ovation. I really love that feature at Thai games.
An attractive young lady had been taking photos just in front of the away end as well as a video when the winner went in. She tried to grab my attention for a photo amongst the celebrating fans at full time.
I eventually found the pictures on line six weeks later at the Klongtoey Army Facebook page. I was sent the originals within the hour and told that it was Judy who took the pictures. What brilliant service and fantastic photos.
I was away before the Port players came over, with other fish to fry! Within a minute I’d hailed a cab outside and once again the driver knew where I wanted to go. He was pressing the metal to Soi Cowboy. I was in a great mood, especially when he told me Chelsea had lost at home again! It’s great to see big clubs get a bloody nose.
I met my tired and emotional mate Steve at the Queen Victoria, where a couple of newly arrived pals from Melbourne arrived. We went round to watch the Rugby World Cup Final and other assorted entertainment.
The open portion of chips and battered sausage rounded off proceedings perfectly on the walk back to my hotel. It was a great end to a fantastic day!
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