FA Cup
1st Round
Thai Honda 3-3 Chonburi
(Thai Honda won 5-3 on penalties)
72nd Anniversary Stadium, Minburi
Attendance: 880
Wednesday 1st May, 2019
Match Report
And it had all started off so well. Noppanon marauding down the wing and putting in some quality crosses, the home defence all over the place as they faced a constant bombardment and an early lead courtesy of a well taken goal by Sittichok. Eight minutes in and we were already discussing who we wanted in the next round – for the record, it was “anyone at home”.
However, the motor boys had other plans for us. And these plans mainly revolved around hacking our leading scorer to pieces. Right from the kick off they made it clear what their intentions were. As soon as Lukian received his first pass, he was scythed down by a challenge that would warrant a yellow card in pretty much any country in the world. But, apparently, not here.
Sure, we got a free kick, but the punishment should have been harsher and this would have sent out a message to anyone else thinking of committing such fouls. Unfortunately, the referee’s failure to act meant it was open house on the big Brazilian from then on. You could almost sense the glee among the Honda players, as they were handed a free pass to kick him at every opportunity, by the man in black. And, boy, did they take advantage.
Make no mistake, these weren’t just mistimed tackles or spur of the moment fouls designed to halt an attack, these were premeditated assaults. Deliberate tactics conceived on the training ground purely to injure an opponent. And they left a very sour taste. But where was the protection?
Any officials worth their salt would have been wise to what was happening and done something to stop it. Sadly, the three clowns last night were negligent in their duties. Therefore, it was no surprise when the league’s leading scorer limped off in the 24th minute. Job done and a victory for outright thuggery. I hope you’re proud of yourselves, lads.
However, we can’t blame the defeat entirely on “the plucky underdogs'” agricultural approach. Our own failings were very much in evidence again and we did look a shambles.
The defence was all over the place (Again!). No cohesion, no plan and seemingly no idea what to do when we had the ball or when our opponents had it. It was embarrassing. It’s no wonder that we have conceded the most goals in the top flight. And there really is no signs that it will improve. Certainly not under the current regime.
The rest of the team weren’t much better. There was no desire, no urgency and a real lack of leadership. Only Sittichok – who I thought was outstanding – and Gyeong-Min can feel any pride at all in their performances. The rest need to take a good, hard look at themselves and decide if they want to be professional footballers because last night, they looked anything but.
And don’t get me started on Worachit! What a waste of space. From promising, dynamic youngster to bone idle, scared to tackle, workshy fop in less than two seasons. That’s some going. And as for his penalty. Was there anyone in that ground who thought he was going to score? His body language was all wrong and he looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. Most of us wish he was!
So, dumped out of the cup by a bunch of lower league cloggers at the first hurdle. Where do we go from here? I dread to think. We have just over a week to put things right before our next fixture, but I honestly can’t see it getting better…can anyone?
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