Articles, features, interviews, photos, videos & memorabilia relating to Chonburi FC & Thai football from 1997 to the present day. All from my personal collection.
Monday, 31 May 2021
Chonburi 0-2 Samut Prakan City - Ticket: 2019
TPL
Chonburi 0-2 Samut Prakan City
Chonburi Stadium
2nd March, 2019
Sunday, 30 May 2021
Friday, 28 May 2021
Chonburi 0-1 Bangkok Utd - Match Report: 2016
TPL
Chonburi 0-1 Bangkok Utd
Chonburi Stadium
Attendance: 4,777
Saturday 28th May, 2016
Match report
by Peter Reeves
From my chair this was always going to be an interesting match. Chonburi’s efforts against the ‘better’ teams are more committed and convincing and Bangkok United arrived with that reputation. So the question was could they produce a disciplined yet brave performance, as they had against others including Buriram this season, but this time turn the performance into a win.
These things though are sometimes out of the hands of the players and firmly in the control of referees and linesmen who really seem very ill-informed and amateurish. As early as the 5th minute tonight, Chonburi countered down the right and saw a player break, only to be adjudged offside. He wasn’t. I’ve remarked on this before but linesmen should be clearly instructed that the decision is made on the basis of when the ball is played not when the player receives it.
Sharks started well and were competing and looked more of an attacking threat on the counter than they would have been if Rodrigo had been playing. United though without really threatening in the first 15 minutes were ominous in that they had a decent shape, played the ball around, out from the back and were able to keep possession, all attributes lost on most Thai teams. Apart from the spearpoint of the attack, they were dangerous everywhere. Anthony especially caught my eye. They seemed to have an interesting formation in that they played 3 at the back with 4 in midfield. A very attack minded system but one that is vulnerable to attacks down the flanks by quick players on the counter attack and Chonburi have got those.
Nevertheless Chonburi were competing and ‘at the races’. 18 minutes, a refereeing decision had an impact. Twice Sharks players were knocked down, the first just outside the box, but the second one in it. Penalty? Could have been. At the mid point of the first half it was even. Chonburi working hard, trying to keep a shape, Dos Santos putting himself everywhere and Nurul a real threat with his pace on the right. United, looking a team with confidence who offered a serious threat.
Whether by design or not, Chonburi concede the midfield areas a bit. When you have 3 playing 4 it is always difficult in there but unlike some recent matches, they kept a basic defensive shape even though in my opinion they still defend too narrow. Maybe the full backs need to be a bit wider and allow the 2 defensive midfielders to cover the space between centre backs and full backs. Easy sitting here. As the half wore on United were dominating possession but without really creating too much. Chonburi holding firm and relying on the counter.
Wouldn’t be one of my reports without a little moan. Free kicks. Oh dear. So many promising positions just wasted with futile attempts to ‘bend’ a ball under the bar when the taker clearly hasn’t the technique to do so. Either balls just flying aimlessly over the bar or into the wall when there is acres of space down the flank to play someone in and change the direction of the attack and create defensive uncertainty. Chances came and went. A waste in my opinion.
As the match wore on United were looking more threatening, and clearly were looking for the win. Chonburi still fighting hard and breaking down the flanks, it looked set for a 0-0. But then one tiny lapse of concentration at the back from a free kick, a powerful header, almost stopped on the line by the keeper and it’s 0-1. Chonburi came forward looking for a deserving equalizer. A scramble in the goal after the goalkeeper spilled a shot could have been touched in and a good move down the right produced a shot that also could have been the one. You sensed United were suddenly not so comfortable.
The officials indicated 5 minutes of extra time. We got to 5, then 6 then 7. Then a free kick in a perfect position. I looked at the clock on the screen. It read 97 minutes. Where was he finding this time? Whoever took the free kick made me swallow my previous words as he bent it towards the top corner but a flying save prevented Sharks celebrations. Corner. Still we carried on. ‘Fergie’ time. When it finally did finish, with the clock on the TV showing 98 minutes, there seemed to be some arguments going on though I couldn’t see anything that happened to cause it other than maybe complaints about added time.
United then maintained their challenge at the top. Chonburi resigned to mid table. Was there much between them? Different approaches by the teams on the night but really not that much. Yes Bangkok were organized and set up very well by the coach, played a controlled passing game and looked threatening but Chonburi coped ok for most of it. So given there is not that much between them why are Chonburi not challenging at the top with them? People closer to the club with a better understanding than I will have to answer that, but a couple of things come to mind.
Firstly, quite often the final ball was poor. This was caused usually by the player who had the ball not having options around him. Movement off the ball and getting support players up is the key to solving that. Nurul was dangerous down the right but he often had no one near him to play off and was too isolated.
Secondly, If you are going to play a counter attacking game then there must be a tactical plan that all the players understand. When to release the ball, who too, who’s expecting it when you get possession, who’s going up to support the recipient and the attack. You can’t just throw it forward and hope. It has to be worked on in training.
Thirdly, they have to take these performances into matches against the lesser teams and put them to the sword.
Finally, Therdsak. Where was he? Perhaps I am just ‘old school’ but a coach standing on the touchline encouraging, sometimes yelling at his players tends to produce an increase in performance of the team. Or it used to. Some managers, coaches, can be a 12th man. Sometimes you need that.
I am not going to be over critical. It was a good game to watch. Lots to appreciate, but once again a good performance resulting in a loss. I thought Sharks were worth a draw and given that might be true why are Chonburi wallowing in obscurity when they ought to be challenging which, they have for most of the last 6 or 7 years. Maybe it’s the ambitions of the club, maybe it’s the belief of the players.
Once you can play winning is 95% a mental approach. Winning comes from being positive, Being positive comes from confidence. Confidence comes from belief. Anyone who has done Sports Psychology will tell you all about that circle. And once negativity has set in how do you change it to positivity? With a lot of work. Winning is a frame of mind at times. A habit. Losing the same. I don’t think Chonburi on this performance and a couple of other performances this season are that far away if they can find a way to break the ‘belief barrier’. They need to find a way.
Wednesday, 26 May 2021
Tuesday, 25 May 2021
Songkhla Utd 1-1 Chonburi - Match Report: 2013
TPL
Songkhla Utd 1-1 Chonburi
Songkhla Municipal Stadium
Attendance: 10,686
Saturday 25th May, 2013
Match Report
TEN THINGS WE LOOKED OUT FOR IN TODAY'S MATCH
1. The Number Of Ex Chonburi Players On The Pitch
Songkhla United have nine ex Chonburi players in their current squad. Keep your eyes peeled for how many you can spot today.
Disappointingly, I only spotted two: Jeera Jareonsuk and Darko Rakocevic. I must admit I don't really understand the loan system or the "clause in the contract" that states a player can't play against his former club. I'm assuming here that it was one of those two reasons why the other seven didn't feature. Shame because it would have added a much needed extra frisson to the proceedings.
2. The Crowd
Last season (as Wuachon Utd) our hosts claimed to get a crowd of 30,102 for the visit of Muang Thong Utd. However, as their other sixteen home games only attracted a combined total of 85,878, it’s unlikely there’ll be such a big turnout today.
The official attendance was given as 10,686. While this is a long, long way short of the 30,000+ mentioned above, it's still a healthy turnout and is to be applauded.
3. The Songkhla Utd Bench
With former Chonburi coach Jadet Meelarp (the man who lead us to the TPL title in 2007) and goalkeeping coach Franz Schwarzwaelder (the man who helped him) on the home bench, it will be interesting to see their reactions if their team should score and how motivated they are to get one over on their former employers.
I saw both Jadet and Franz on the bench and in the Technical Area, and they both looked fully focused on their team's performance - as you would expect. However, Jadet was wearing a blue t-shirt (nice touch), which he had to cover up with a green vest so as not to be mistaken for a Chonburi player.
4. The Thiago Cunha and Irfan Bachdim Partnership
After a long lay off through injury, Irfan Bachdim (pictured) returned for the last league game against Chainat and impressed with a very good performance. He also seemed to strike up an uncanny understanding with Thiago Cunha. If both players are included in the starting line up today, it will be interesting to see how this promising partnership develops.
Sadly, Thiago was suspended and didn't feature (poor reseaerch on original article - Ed). However, Irfan had a good game. He scored a lovely goal and contributed quite a lot to the overall team performance. I guess we'll have to wait until Wednesday to see how the partnership develops from here.
5. The Referee
Our last two away games have both been blighted by absolutely rotten refereeing decisions; the disallowed goal against Suphanburi and the laughable penalty awarded against Jackie up in Chainat. I wonder what we can expect from the Man in the Middle today?
I hardly noticed him so he must have done alright. Only two (non) decisions stand out. Midway through the first half, Irfan was brought down on the edge of the box. It looked like a nailed on free kick - or even penalty - but the ref waved play on. Later in the game, he also booked the same player for deliberate handball and then failed to do the same shortly afterwards, when a home player committed the same offence.
6. The Away Following
It’s a holiday weekend and it’s possible to fly down to Songkhla from Bangkok in just over an hour so, we might have a decent following. Credit to all those who made the effort.
I saw a few photos on the internet of Chonbri fans outside the ground before the game. Unfortunately, our friends at NBT didn't show any close ups of visiting fans during the game. It did go awfully quiet when we equalised, so there can't have been that many there.
7. My Tweets
I’ll be Tweeting live updates throughout the match on our official Twitter account.
Warning: Tweets may include some effing and jeffing and references to old Punk bands
As promised, I Tweeted regular updates throughout the match and replied to as many questions as I could. Aside from concentrating on the match, I was also eating my tea and drinking bottles of Chang at the same time. Who says men can't multi task?
8. The Rotten Coverage On NBT
Ad breaks every time the ball goes out of play (and sometimes while it’s still in play); delayed coverage (possibly); rotten camera work (certainly) and no pre match build up (laughably) are just some of the reasons why my heart sank when I learnt that NBT would be covering our match today.
There were twelve ad breaks in total and they also arrived about a minute late for the start of the second half. One particular incident stands out. At one point, Sinthaweechai was receiving treatment on a genuine hand injury and the broadcaster decided to stay with it and show footage from inside the stadium. There was no real action for about two minutes. However, a short while later - whilst the game was in progress - they went to a commercial. D'oh!
9. The Number Of Times Thiago Gets Himself Involved In A Needless Argument
He's undoubtedly one of our best players and is hugely entertaining to watch but his annoying tendency to get involved in ridiculous arguments with officials and opposing players really grates. Just get on with the game, Thiago. You don't need to be so silly. Leave that to Mario.
As we've already established, Thiago was absent today so this isn't really relevant. Still, I 'd like to think that he was getting into rows with people in the stands or in his living room, if he was watching at home. That way he'll hopefully have got it all out off his system before Wednesday.
10. The Stretcher Count
Whisper it quietly but this doesn't seem to be such a big problem any more. I've noticed that referees are now taking a harder line with players who go down "injured" and we are seeing less and less of the stretcher. Opponents too appear happy to play on when someone is lying down and clearly faking it. About time too!
Hmm. The match was largely stretcher free but this was ruined slightly towards the end. The only time it was brought on during the first half, was when Jackie took a nasty whack on the ankle. However, it made a few appearances during the last fifteen minutes or so, as the home side seemed to want to break up play when Chonburi were getting on top. Disappointing.
Enjoy the match?
I thought that it was a pretty poor game overall - the first twenty five minutes were particularly awful. We did try to pass the ball around but this was made extremely difficult by the bobbly pitch. In the second half, we made some strange substitutions and seemed to lose our shape. We had no recognised out and out striker on for the second forty five minutes. And, once again, Arthit was playing at right back. Bizarre. I did think we were the better side and I am a little miffed that we didn't pick up all three points. They were certainly there for the taking. A missed opportunity. And a costly one.
AFC Cup Chonburi 3-0 Siriwijaya - Match Report: 2011
AFC Cup
Round of 16
Chonburi 3-0 Siriwijaya
Chonburi Stadium
Attendance: 6,954
Wednesday 25th May, 2011
Match Report
by the-afc.com
Chonburi eased into the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup with a convincing 3-0 win over Sriwijaya at a sodden Chonburi Stadium. Ney Fabiano opened the scoring for the hosts after 17 minutes and Therdsak Chaiman then doubled the lead just before the half-hour mark from the spot. Natthapong Samana completed the scoring with seven minutes to go. Chonburi dominated possession in the first-half and peppered the Sriwijaya goal with a number of attempts.
They took an early lead when a free-kick floated over the Sriwijaya backline saw Phasian Pona contest a 50-50 ball with Sriwijaya keeper Ferry Rotinsulu. Phasian reached the ball first but also received a punch in the head for his trouble but his sacrifice allowed Fabiano to nod home inside the six-yard box. Rendy Siregar provided most of Sriwijaya’s attacking threat in the opening period as his foraging runs down the right won a number of corners for his side that the visitors were unable to take advantage of.
Chonburi then doubled their lead in the 29th minute when striker Pipob On-mo was dragged down in the box and midfielder Therdsak Chaiman coolly converted the resultant penalty. Sinthaweechai Hathairatthanakool then endured a nervous moment 10 minutes later when a wayward long pass was allowed to run through to the Chonburi keeper but due to the sodden pitch, almost did not make it into the 18-yard box for him to pick up.
Sriwijaya had a hard time keeping possession in the second-half and with a two-goal lead, Chonburi often looked content to sit back and wait for the counter-attack. The Sharks spurned another great chance in the 50th minute when Anucha Kitpongsri’s deft cross found Pipob but his shot from eight yards was deflected behind for a corner. Chonburi kept the pressure on and Arthit Sunthornphit was allowed a clear sight of goal from 20 yards out in the 58th minute but shot straight at the keeper.
A minute later Suree Sukha produced a clever stepover to create some space but Rotinsulu parried his effort. Chonburi remained on top and in the 78th minute, Natthaphong picked up a perfectly-weighted ball down the left side, sidestepped his man and had only the keeper to beat but failed to take advantage. Five minutes later, though, he made amends after Jetsadakorn Hemdaeng beat the offside trap and his free header was turned into the net by Natthaphong.
Monday, 24 May 2021
Chonburi 3-0 Nakorn Pathom - Match Report: 2009
TPL
Chonburi 3-0 Nakorn Pathom
Princess Srindhorn Stadium
Attendance: 4,500
Sunday 24th May, 2009
Match Report
An excellent result. Three more points and three more goals. Bangkok Glass only drew so it's been a good day so far.
First half we looked very comfortable. Kone scored a well worked goal, we had another disallowed and a strong claim for a penalty turned down.
NP played some neat and tidy football at times but, apart from a cross/shot that hit the top of the bar, never really threatened.
Chonburi started the second half fantastically. A lovely solo goal by Pipob early on looked like the signal for the floodgates to open. He's sure got his confidence back after his two goals during the week. During the next 15 to 20 minutes we played some brilliant football and a big win seemed certain.
However, the visitors worked hard to get themselves back into the game and, but for some woeful finishing, could have nicked an unlikely point.
Thankfully, Maruyama Yoshiaki headed home an Arthit corner (one of about 15 we had in the match) and the collective relief was the cue for the celebrations to begin.
The only downside to the day was a serious injury to Suree, who was taken to hospital midway through the first half. I don't have any news at the moment, but I hope he's OK.
The crowd was announced as 4,500 - I would have put the figure a little higher - and there was a good atmosphere. I'd say about 50 fans had made the trip from NP.
Sunday, 23 May 2021
TPL All Stars 0-3 Atletico Madrid - News & Match Report: 2010
Friendly Match
TPL All Stars v Atletico Madrid
Rajamangala Stadium
1st August, 2010
TPL All Stars v Atletico Madrid
27/7/10
Seven Chonburi players have been selected in the TPL All Star squad to face Spanish league club, Atletico Madrid on Sunday August 1st. They are Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool, Suree Sukha, Suttinun Phukhom, Nattapong Samana, Therdsak Chaiman, Puritat Jarigarnon and Michael Byrne. The match will be played at the Rajamangala Stadium and tickets, priced between B100 and B2,000, are on sale now. Kick off is at 5:00pm.
TPL All Stars v Atletico Madrid Update
30/7/10
Chonburi defenders, Suree Sukha and Nattapong Samana, have both pulled out of the TPL All Stars squad for Sunday's friendly against Atletico Madrid. The duo picked up knocks in Wednesday night's 2-2 draw. With Michael Byrne having joined Bangkok Glass, this means that the Sharks will be represented by four players at the weekend. They are Therdsak Chaiman, Sinthaweechai Hathairattankool, Puritat Jarigarnon and Suttinun Phukhom. The match will played at Rajamangala and kick off is at 6:00pm.
TPL All Stars 0-3 Atletico Madrid
1/8/10
The TPL All Stars were completely outclassed by a well organised Atletico side. The match wasn't anything to get excited about but it was an enjoyable occasion and the chance to catch up with some old friends, and make some new ones.
Match Report
by Marco
TPL All-Stars 0 - 3 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid beat the TPL All-Stars 3-0 in front of 30,000 fans at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.
TPL All-Stars and Muangthong United striker Teerasil Dangda almost got the game off to a perfect start for his team, but Atletico goalkeeper David de Gea made a good stop to deny him.
'Los Colchoneros' opened the scoring in the 16th minute after great interchange play between Antonio Lopez, Fran Merida and Jose Manuel Jurado, leaving Eduardo Salvio the task of finishing the move - which he duly took. Alvara Dominguez added a second goal for Quique Sanchez Flores's team on 23 minutes with a crisp volley to give the current Europa League Champions a comfortable advantage at the break.
Thai Port striker Sarayoot Chaikamdee had a half chance for the All-Stars early in the second half. His powerful shot from an acute angle was well dealt with by Spain Under 21 goalkeeper de Gea. The lively Cristian Kouakou had the ball in the net for the home team after 50 minutes, but the referee correctly penalised the Ivorian for clearly shoving Juan Valera.
On the hour mark Simao Sabrosa entered the field to rapturous reception from the crowd. Fittingly, it was the Portuguese winger who added the icing to the cake with a third goal for his team late in the match.
After the game, the Atletico Madrid players said their goodbyes to the Thai fans, who warmly applauded them off the pitch.
TPL ALL-STARS:
18. Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool (26. Kawin Thamsatchanan) (1. Weera Kerdpudsa)
5. Suttinan Phukhom
17. Anucha Kitponsri (3. Rangsan Vivatchaichok)
4. Panupong Wongsa (20. Seydou Kone)
6. Nattaporn Phanrit (c)
15. Puritat Jarikanon (13. Therdsak Chaiman)
7. Datsakorn Thonglao (11. Michael Byrne) (12. Ney Fabiano)
21. Dagno Siaka
10. Teerasil Dangda (31. Sarayoot Chaikamdee) (23. Peerapong Pichitchotirat)
30. Cristian Kouakou
25. Giorgi Tsimakuridze (9. Somjet Sattabud) *
ATLETICO MADRID:
13. David de Gea (27. Joel Robles)
3. Antonio Lopez (c) (16. Juanito)
6. Ignacio Camacho
8. Raul Garcia (12. Assuncao)
9. Jose Manuel Jurado (20. Simao)
11. Fran Merida
14. Eduardo Salvio
17. Tomas Ujfalusi (2. Juan Valera)
18. Alvaro Dominguez (24. Felipe Luis)
21. Luis Perea
22. Diego Costa (23.Alberto Perea)
GOALS: Eduardo Salvio (16), Alvaro Dominguez (23), Simao Sabrosa (85)
* The list of the All-Star substitutions is not complete. I think people stopped writing them down after the tenth one!
Highlights
Chonburi 2-1 Bangkok Glass - Match Report: 2010
TPL
Chonburi 2-1 Bangkok Glass
IPE Stadium
Attendance: 10,978
Sunday 23rd May, 2010
Match Report
When you're 2-0 up at home, playing against ten men and being roared on by a large partisan crowd you don't expect to be hanging on for the best part of an hour. However, this is what happened to Chonburi yesterday. After a scintillating start we simply lost our way as soon as the visitors had a man red carded in the 33rd minute. And there's no logical explanation for it. For the first half an hour we looked like a team at the top of the league, as our swift speedy play and crisp passing were causing Bangkok Glass all sorts of problems. Then suddenly, with a numerical advantage we looked completely clueless. It wasn't just the players, the coaching staff too seemed confused as how to cope with having an extra player. Baffling.
The visitors seemed to have so much space and time in the middle of the field and, when we did manage to get hold of the ball, we gave it away cheaply and put ourselves under pressure. Baga was having a nightmare up front. I can only remember him winning a couple of challenges and his first touch was poor throughout. Admittedly losing Pipob didn't help - he was stretchered off in the aftermath of the incident that lead to the penalty - but we really should have been able to capitalise when everything was stacked in our favour.
All credit to Bangkok Glass who, I felt, deserved at least a point from this game - and I wouldn't have complained if they'd taken all three. They launched wave after wave of attack and made the most of their possession. Our tactics (such as they were) certainly helped their cause as we defended deep and showed very little in the way of attacking intent. Anyone coming in late would have been surprised to learn that it was the team in green and white who were one short.
The best (only?) chance we had in the second half fell to the substitute, Supasek Kaikeaw. He showed an astonishing burst of pace to beat two defenders but somehow managed to screw his shot wide from a good position. The fact that he himself was substituted a few minutes later - replaced by a midfilder - speaks volumes about the kind of evening we were having. And wy no Michael Byrne? If he was fit, and the fact he was on the bench rather suggests he was, why wasn't he used? Yet another strange decision by the management.
I don't think that I've ever felt this disappointed after a win before. However, when the dust settles I'll come to terms with the fact that we've finally managed to beat our bogey team - at the fifth attempt - and still proudly sit three points clear in the TPL. We'll have to play much better than this on Friday. My only hope is that other teams don't start deliberately having players dismissed as this possibly presents them with the best chance they'll have of beating us!
Saturday, 22 May 2021
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