PTT Rayong 2-2 Chonburi - Away Days Photos: 2014

TPL

PTT Rayong 2-2 Chonburi

PTT Stadium

29th March, 2014

"Sharky" The Official Chonburi FC Mascot - Photos: 2006-2014

 "Sharky" - the Chonburi mascot. Photographed between 2006 and 2014.

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Rayong FC v Chonburi FC - Ticket: 2012

Pre Season Friendly

Rayong 0-3 Chonburi

Rayong Provincial Stadium

Sunday 12th February, 2012

Last Day: 2019

TPL

Chonburi 1-2 Chainat

Sattahip Stadium

Attendance: 1,845

26th October, 2019

Chonburi's final league match of the 2019 season was moved 90kms down the road, to the Navy Stadium in Sattahip. This was because the club was hosting the 2019 AFC U-19 Women's Championship and our ground was not available. I chose not to travel the extra distance, in protest at the decision, even though the senior management had laid on free transport for the fans. The attendance of 1,845, was our lowest of the campaign.

Highlights

NEW!! Singapore Cup Final - Match Report by Dale Farrington: 2006

My long lost, never before published match report from the 2006 Singapore Cup final. This is probably the first account of a Chonburi game that I wrote and I have no recollection of who it was written for.

Singapore Cup Final

Chonburi FC 2-3 Tampines Rovers (aet)

Singapore National Stadium

Sunday 26th November 2006

This match really did have everything. 5 goals, 3 sendings off, controversial decisions, late drama(not once but twice) and a goalkeeper booked for going to the toilet! A classic by any standard.

The first half belonged to Chonburi, as they dominated possession and created chances with their fluent passing. However, their lack of fire power up front meant that they failed to break the deadlock. Striker, Pipob On-Mo, worked tirelessly creating problems for the Rovers' back line, but often the final ball from the midfield didn't match the high calibre of the approach play.

Meanwhile, Tampines relied on more direct tactics. The long ball over the top or in behind the Thai team's defence. A ploy that didn't really trouble the classy centre half pairing of Phaisan and Diakate, who always looked comfortable.

As the half time whistle blew it was certainly the Chonburi team and its supporters who were the

happier, as we settled down for a break. But we didn't get it.

What followed ranks as one of the most bizzare experience I've ever had at a football match, and I've spent most of my life watching Oldham Athletic!! Thai pop star, Palmy arrived to entertain the crowd. And entertain she did. The huge number of Thai fans in the stadium danced and sang along to her songs as she cavorted all over the pitch waving a Thai flag and a Chonburi FC shirt (which I had thrown to her!), while the locals looked on in some bemusement.

After the regulation fifteen minutes, the Tampines Rovers players re-emerged from the tunnel and proceeded to stand in the centre circle, as Palmy carried on singing and posing for photographs with the Chonburi substitutes. At the conclusion of her set she waved her goodbyes and the Chonburi players came back on to the field.

The referee was ready to restart the match when everyone realised that the visitors were minus a goalkeeper. After a long wait and a messenger being sent back to the dressing room, Sangare Badra Ali reappeared and was promptly yellow carded by the referee. Surely the only time in football's long and rich history that a player has been booked for having a "number two"!

The long delay didn't seem to upset Tampines, as, for the first time in the match, they started to pass the ball around. There's no doubt that for the first 15 minutes of the second half they had the advantage and Chonburi had their custodian to thank for a couple of great saves to deny the Singaporean forwards.

The game started to open up a bit more as both sides carved out chance after chance. Eventually the opening goal came in the 74th minute, when the hard working Pipob got his head on the end of a Sarawut Janthapan cross. The visiing fans exploded with delight as they sensed a historic victory.

This sense of expectation was heightened two minutes later, when Arthit Sunthornphit rifled home a free kick from 25 yards. 2-0 up with 14 minutes to play. Surely, the cup was destined for Thailand and a place in the history books for Chonburi FC. 

However, the drama was far from over. Within a couple of minutes of the second goal, two cynical fouls by Tampines players went unpunished by the increasingly erratic referee. If the correct action had been taken on either occasion the game would have been up for the home side and the trophy would have been accompanying us back on Flight FD3504.

Moments later the Korean official did brandish his red card as he sent off Chonburi's Adul Lahso for what seemed nothing more than a clumsy challenge.

This dismissal proved to be the turning point, as Tampines felt their hopes grow. Sure enough, from the resultant free kick The Stags pulled a goal back. You could see the Chonburi heads drop, as Tampines sensed an unlikely comeback.

The Thais defended admirably but with the seconds ticking away, the ball broke to Santi Chaiyaphuak, in what looked an offside position, and he slotted in past the helpless keeper. 2-2 and Chonburi down to ten men. The balance of power had definitely shifted to Tampines.

The extra 30 minutes provided plenty more excitement and contoversy. Two more sendings off, one player from each team - which the referee got right - and two cast iron penalty appeals for Chonburi turned down - which the referee got wrong!

But, there was to be one more final twist. With time nearly up, and penalties looking a certainty, Tampines forward Aliff Shafaein pounced on a loose ball following a melee in the Chonburi area and slotted it home.

It was a cruel blow for the Thai team and a disappointing end to a glorious campaign.

One consolation for the visitors was that they had the backing of about 75% of the crowd (off

icial figure 18,563, my estimate, about half that!!) and the stadium was virtually empty for the damp squib of a presentation! Churlish I know, but you've got to grab whatever you can in these circumstances!

So, in conclusion, a dramatic cup final with many twists and turns and a feeling of disappointment and injustice. But, hey. That's football...

Dale Farrington 

(November 2006)

Last Day: 2018

TPL

Chonburi 1-1 Chiang Rai Utd

Chonburi Stadium

Attendance: 4,290

Sunday 7th October, 2018

 

Match report

by Peter Reeves

So what can only be described as a disappointing season, grinds to a rather undignified  end. Two teams just playing out the last 90 minutes and then let’s get away for some adverts and a few tattoos.

 

It took Ciro one minute and 42 seconds to feign injury. Surely a record? The sooner he’s gone, the better, but please no more third rate Brazilians. They are long gone as a major international force and whilst they do produce the occasional grade ‘A’ cheat like Neymar, the reputation that seems so highly thought of here should be consigned, with the majority of them, to the you know where.

 

The first 15 minutes had Chonburi doing OK and Chiang Rai Utd having just turned up to fulfill a requirement.

 

On 10, a Chonburi attack saw the goalkeeper and the ball bundled over the line. Disallowed of course, but Nat Lofthouse would have enjoyed it.

 

Nine minutes later, the first of the ref’s ‘monumental’ cock ups, as he gives a free kick on the edge of the visitors’ box. Mattheus had tried to dribble around Victor. He played it past him and then just ran into him. What was Victor supposed to do, step aside and say “after you, mate”?

 

I think some of these refs need to understand that this can be a contact sport and just because two players come within five feet of each other, it doesn’t constitute a foul. Still, down he goes, of course, and a free kick, which Kroekrit almost put away.

 

On 25 minutes, out go the lights.  Perhaps a subtle metaphorical manifestation of Chonburi as a club these days. Given that they can play in a swimming pool without a postponement (Like last week - ed), I had visions of them all being given torches and told to carry on.

 

Thankfully, we weren’t in darkness for long. Thai workers are good like that, but Chiang Rai Utd came back with a bit of a spring in their step and took the lead within a couple of minutes of the restart. The attacker was allowed space by a hesitant defense and he put the shot in low off the post, 0-1.

 

Suddenly both teams were awake.

 

Kroekrit missed on 35 and 38, when he really should have scored, and just before the break, Mattheus showed “electric speed”, as he was shown to be too slow, after being put through.

 

Half time and the Sharks were a little unfortunate to be behind.

 

The second half started  and it was becoming a little feisty, mainly due to a ref who had as much idea as my dog.

 

Ten minutes in and Chanin saved the home team with a good stop. He did it again a few minutes later.

I have been a severe critic of him at times this season (Me too - ed), but the last few games he has done very well (His performance at Ubon Utd almost certainly kept us up - ed). Perhaps a goalkeeping coach will help him achieve more consistency, or better still, any type of coach.

 

Just after hour mark, the ref really outdid himself and awarded Chonburi a penalty. God only knows why. After lengthy and vociferous protests, lead unsurprisingly by Victor, Worachit coolly tucked it away.1-1.

 

As the match progressed, Ciro was of course still practicing for the pool at the next Olympics and Worachit still demonstrating why a supposedly highly rated player, can’t put a dead ball situation within 10 yards of where its supposed to be.

 

In the closing seconds, a scare for the Sharks, as Chiang Rai Utd hit the inside of the post and Chanin caught the rebound. Then, there was just time for the final whistle.

 

Season over. Not one for the history books.

 

Perhaps this is not the place nor time for a season review, but it has been pretty dire. The battering of Muangthong was enjoyable as a highlight, but not a lot else.

 

As for the league, Buriram Utd are still yards ahead and not looking like they will be caught just yet. The Angels next best by a distance, the rest, not much.

 

My favorite team of the year, on the three occasions I watched them, Prachuap.

 

So in we go to a rest period, when all the players go into this big room with 16 unmarked exit doors. They all leave, but don’t know where they’re going so anyone can end up anywhere. We’ll see.

 

One last thought; with a reduced number of clubs, is there a reduction in the league timings next season? If not, are we prepared for some more ‘interesting’ breaks?

 

There’s something to look forward to.

Programme

Photos

Highlights

Last Day: 2017

TPL

Chonburi 1-2 Buriram Utd

Chonburi Stadium

Attendance: 3,818

Saturday 18th November, 2017

Programme

Match report

by Peter Reeves

It was a case of here we go again as the league leaders came to town. A few weeks ago in the League Cup, Chonburi had dominated the game and ended up with nothing, losing on penalties. There were lessons to be learnt from that encounter. The first one being keep a disciplined shape and organization and you have half a chance. The second being there’s little to be afraid of other than Newin’s prayers to the heavens. 

It is probably unfair having only seen them three times this season, but Buriram Utd do not look like runaway leaders of this ‘premier’ league to me. So often relying on long balls over the top to a Diogo, who has never looked the force he used to be They look ordinary at times. The Sharks had to have discipline and they had to believe.

 

Buriram started OK and looked like they meant business, as you might expect, and had Chonburi chasing early shadows. On 4 minutes a half chance was created, but a poor effort from the edge of the box. A minute later, a better opportunity in on the left side, but the forward took far too long and the chance was wasted. Chonburi though were getting into the game. Lots of passes,but as usual, just no cutting edge. 

When faced by a bank of 5 and 4 you need someone who can do something creative and unexpected, a failing Chonburi have had all season. Sometimes you need a little luck and on 12 minutes the Sharks got it. A few passes around the box and a shocking defensive header by the Buriram defender gave Nurul space. A clumsy challenge in panic and down he went. For once a clear penalty. 1-0.

 

This is where you need discipline to keep control of the ball for the next 10 or 15 minutes and for once the Sharks were doing OK. They seemed to retreat  a bit, like the little kid in the playground who gives the school bully a whack and then stands back waiting for the inevitable response. But the response from Buriram was muted and ineffective. On 31 they created the best of their first half chances. The striker, through one on one with Chanin facing him, got it all wrong and the keeper saved.

 

The last 15 was all Buriram possession, but no end product. Half time. The Sharks had done OK. They had the lead and the back line had only been breached a couple of times. Nothing to fear here.   Buriram just looked average and were not slow in leaving the foot in in a few challenges.

 

The second half started much the same as the first, but on 52 minutes the defining moment for me. A good ball put Nurul through on the right. Clear sight of the goal area with a defender chasing him and the keeper in front of him. In that scenario you cut across the front of your defender. If he makes the challenge it’s a penalty, but you get a clearer sight of goal and the options. However, he decided to go wide, create a poor angle for himself. He could still cut it across the box for a team mate, but he went for glory and messed it up. 2-0 and you’ve got them, but no. Silly boy, and within 10 minutes it had all changed. 

Diogo got round the back of the defender and the slightest touch and down he went, Of course he did. There was contact, but for heaven’s sake, my granny wouldn’t have gone down under that powder puff challenge. Is it cheating? Could be construed as such, but it’s part and parcel now isn’t it. 1-1 and the writing was on the wall.

 

Three minutes later another clear chance for Buriram wasted and the Sharks were flagging.

Chonburi to their credit were still trying to come forward, but the first half hour’s momentum had gone, as it does when you try and hold a lead. On 78 a ball down the right that looked yards offside when the ball was played, over came the cross to Diogo. His first header was saved by Chanin, though he really should have done better than just put it back to the striker, who knocked it in.

 

They’d given it a go but come up short again. Effort levels were good but the same old problems every week that are not being addressed. Chonburi though were worth a draw and a bit more composure and intelligence from Nurul and they might have won it.

 

They lost the match, but more worrying from my view, is that they’ve lost the people. The stadium looked sparsely populated and not what you would expect for the visit of a high profile club. Once again lessons to be learned, if people were paying attention.

Highlights

FA Cup Semi Final Chonburi 1-0 Suphanburi - Photos: 2014

FA Cup Semi Final

Suphanburi 0-1 Chonburi

Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok

Sunday 5th October, 2014