FA Cup
Quarter Final
Chonburi 5-1 Trat
Chonburi Stadium
Attendance: 3,115
Saturday 3rd April, 2021
Match Report
Well, that was fun. And, from the 46th second - when we scored our first goal - the result was never in doubt. OK, so it was only Trat - the second worst team in the Thai top flight - but how often have we failed to beat sides like this in the recent past. It was almost like the old days, as wave after wave after wave of Chonburi attack battered the visitors' defence. This was a real throwback. I'm sure I saw the ghosts of Arthit, Pipob, Therdsak and Thiago out there this evening. And alongside them, the players from the current squad actually seemed to be enjoying themselves. Something we've not seen very often during this extended campaign. What a joy it was.
The icing on the cake was Eliandro's hat trick. He took his goals well and looked a real threat. I think we could have discovered a new terrace hero today. Let's hope we keep hold of him and he can produce more performances like this. A decent run in the starting XI will help so fingers crossed that whoever is in charge next season gives him the chance to prove himself.
Which leads me nicely onto Sasom. He still has to go. Whilst it has been lovely basking in the warm glow of today's win, let's not get carried away. 2020/21 has been a shocker. And that's me being generous. We've played abysmally this year. The players have often looked clueless. There has been no plan, no leadership, very little fight and most of the blame lies with the coach. He doesn't appear to command much respect and his body language on the touchline speaks volumes. The ideal scenario for me would be for us to win the trophy and then he can resign with honour, and another cup on his CV. I honestly think it would be a mistake for us to keep him.
As for the rest of the competition, we now face a semi final tie against one of the Utds from Chiang Rai, Bangkok, or Buriram. Good sense would suggest we need to avoid the latter to reach the final for the first time since that ill fated afternoon in 2014. However, "there are no easy games at this stage" so bring it on. And, to be fair, we've had a pretty easy passage to get this far so it's only right we get to test ourselves against stronger opposition now we've reached the last four.
The draw is on Monday, the match on Wednesday, with the (whisper it) big match next Sunday. It could be a very hectic eight days, but I'd rather this than that nervy relegation battle we had to endure. Which leads me nicely back to Sasom again...
Actually, I don't want to end this report like that. We've just reached an FA Cup semi final after a scintillating 5-1 win. How we about we enjoy that for now. What a great day this has been. It's time to celebrate and fall in love with Chonburi FC all over again. Faith - for now - restored. Thanks, lads!
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