NEW!! My Favourite Match by Stephen Romary: 2021

My Favourite Match

by Stephen Romary

TPL

SCG Muangthong United 3-2 Buriram United

SCG Stadium

July 24th, 2016

There are memorable matches from the seven years I've been with Thai football.  All contain some degree of the formula that makes for a great game, games that are rich in drama and controversy, the quality of play, and the thrill of a packed and boisterous stadium.

The match that first popped to mind was MTUTD away against Bangkok United early in the 2018 season, where youngster Chenrop's hattrick lead to a 3-2 win in a game that was quality throughout.

The game that beautifully combined all three elements of football, however, was matchday 24 of the 2016 season.

For many reasons this game was a watershed moment, for both club and country.

The Kirin entered the match leading the league, a position held since matchday 11.  It was the "dream team" season, and perhaps the greatest collection of players the club had ever assembled. Indeed, MTUTD went on to win the league, finishing with 80 points, five ahead of Bangkok United.  This was the season that ended three games early, following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Many of the names are no longer with the club, and some set precedents for Thai football.  As a Muangthong fan, looking back to this team brings great pride, but greater regret, as afterwards we entered a period of rebuilding from which we've yet to emerge.

In the years following 2016 the dream was denied, with Chanathip, Teerasil, and Theeraton moving to the J.League, keeper Kawin Thamsatchananan (16 clean sheets that season) to Europe, and other key players such as Tristan Do, Adisak, Tanaboon, Sarach, Peeradon, and Cleiton Silva (league top scorer), to rival Thai League clubs.  

Datsakorn would retire, Xisco would return to Spain, and Naoaki Aoyama to Japan, where he only just hung up his boots a few days ago.

The only player still with SCG Muangthong United from that time is current team captain, Wattana Playnum, who featured as a substitute in this game.

On Sunday July 24th, 2016, however, the future looked very bright, and the fans knew it.  MTUTD averaged almost 10,000 fans per game that season, and this particular night the SCG Stadium had sold out.

As well, the drama of this rivalry match had been taken to a whole new level. This was to be Theerathon's first match against his former club. A few months before, Muangthong United had signed Theerathon away from Buriram in a record 35 million baht deal.

   

In this way it was a match of epic proportions for both SCG Muangthong United and Buriram United, and it was the Kirin who were to emerge victorious.

Heading into the match MTUTD were without key centre back Mario Abrante (injured), and new signing Xisco Jimienz not yet ready to join the starting XI. Buriram were strong, with Diogo fit and ready for action, and coming into the fray on a winning streak.

 

With a packed stadium cheering them on, SCG Muangthong United had the better share of the ball, however, Buriram United striker Diogo scored the first goal of the match at 17 minutes.  A cross in from the left side found Diogo unmarked, and he made no mistake with a glancing header that saw Chairman Newin leap from the bench and the crammed away supporter contingent explode.

 

SCG Muangthong United were not to be denied. With plenty of ball possession, the Kirin looked to find the equalizer. MTUTD played close passes, preferring to keep the ball in possession rather than turn it over. There were many advances forward, and then back passes and switching the play side-to-side.

Chanathip (man-of-the-match) was playing fantastic football that eventually caught the eye of the J.League. A moment before halftime, he made it 1-1 with a precise finish from inside the box after eluding three defenders.

The game was thus even at halftime and it wasn't clear to anyone who was going to come out the winner, but momentum was on the side of the home club with the late equalizer.   

The second half began with intense pressure from Muangthong, and whatever coach Totchtawan had to say in the locker room bore fruit. At the 53rd minute Sarach Yooyen scored his first goal of the season, following a brilliant set up from Chanathip, who pulled fours defenders towards him before feeding the ball back to Sarach at the edge of the box who hit the near side top corner.

 

SCG Muangthong United were the better team in the second half, and at the 77th minute sealed the game. Tristen Do's pressure on the ball led to a turn over, and his cross into the box was found by Cleiton Silva. His header was just under the bar for SCG Muangthong United's third goal.

 

Buriram United got one back on a penalty kick, a shocking call from the referee that left fans stunned in disbelief.  Kawin blocked Diogo's attempt, but the rebound came back to the charging Anon who was able to finish.

 

Yet this was not enough to allow for a comeback, and SCG Muangthong United suppressed the pressure applied in the final minutes to emerge victorious.

The stadium had been electric and alive throughout the match; another reason this game stands out.  The tight connection between the fans, players, and the action on the pitch made for a true thriller.  Every touch of the ball drew some kind of reaction from the crowd, who stood and cheered and sang, and loomed over the touchlines to intimidate their nemesis and boost their heroes.

This has been the greatest blow to football brought on by the spectre of Covid-19.  It's the fans in the stands that creates the atmosphere and drives the game forward.  Let's hope we can quickly get back to exciting football, and pick up the shattered pieces of the dream and rebuild the league.