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.

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