TPL
PEA 3-0 Chonburi
Venue : i-mobile Stadium
Attendance: 24,712
Gate receipts : B1,836,800
Merchandise : B810,000
Sunday 20th March, 2011
MATCH REPORT
(Watching on the big screen at Central Plaza)
This was a strange old game. Chonburi never really got started and produced a rather stuttering display. The passing and movement, which was so much to the fore on Wednesday night, was absent and there looked to be a lot of weary legs on show. The home side seemed that bit quicker and were more inventive when they had the ball. That said, during the first forty five minutes the Sharks created more chances on goal and seemed to have the bulk of the possession. The only real shot that PEA had - a scuffed attempt - resulted in the opening goal.
The second half was pretty much the same. But as we pressed forward in search of an equaliser, the pacy blue shirted forwards threatened to run riot every time they broke through. Truth be told, our defence looked rather vulnerable. Suree had an absolute nightmare at right back and Sinthaweechai has had better days. If it hadn't been for a few last gasp tackles by Chonlatit, the winning margin could have been bigger. It was a blow losing Anucha early on - let's hope that it's not a long term injury - but we really should have coped better than this.
The midfield too appeared strangely subdued and PEA snuffed out the threat from Therdsak, meaning he had his quietest match in a Chonburi shirt to date. Up front, our best chances fell to Pipob and Arthit. However, Arthit's effort, as he tried to hit the ball first time when in acres of space in the box, flew well wide and Pipob's neat little lob hit the far post. The latter incident was closely followed by what looked like a certain penalty for Chonburi, when Therdsak was tripped in the box. However, the ref waved play on and the good people at True Sports declined to show a replay, in spite of the fact that every other shot/foul/free kick/corner all received repeat showings. Strange that!
On the whole, I've no real complaints about the result, although the final score flattered them somewhat. I know we won't play as badly as this again and I'm prepared to write it off as a bad day at the office.
As for the "Central Experience", result and performance aside, I really enjoyed myself. There was a decent sized crowd, who cheered on the team enthusiastically and booed every time the cameras focussed on the home team's chairman or choreographed support. There was an element of pantomime to the proceedings but, considering we were losing to one of our title rivals, it was a great atmosphere. Not quite as good as "being there" but, as my friend said as we departed, "At least we've only got a twenty minute drive home and not a seven hour bus ride!"
Thank heavens for small mercies.
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