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)
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