TPL
Chainat 1-2 Chonburi
Khao Plong Stadium
Attendance: 4,616
Saturday 11th May, 2013
Match Report
Without a doubt, this was our best performance of the season so far. Apart a very brief spell in the first half, we totally dominated this match. Not only that but we played some good stuff along the way and showed that we had enough character to bounce back from yet another awful decision by a TPL referee.
The whole team appeared up for it from the kick off but Thiago Cunha was particularly outstanding. He seemed to be everywhere and looked dangerous every time he had the ball. He was ably supported by Irfan Bachdim, who showed signs that he could yet prove to be one of our better overseas signings of recent years. The two also seemed to have already developed a rather uncanny understanding. Which is extremely encouraging.
Chonburi started brightly and carved out a couple of half chances early on, with the aforementioned Brazillian heavily involved. However, it was the home side who very nearly took the lead from their first attack of note. Following some neat play and a cross from former Shark Michael Byrne, Suttinun had to react quickly to beat the onrushing attacker to the ball and clear the danger. Otherwise, the striker would have had a simple tap in to put his team in front.
This was the cue for Chainat to have their only real spell of possession and they did cause one or two problems for the visitors' back line. Fortunately, we weathered the storm and it came as no real surprise when we took the lead on twenty eight minutes. A lovely right wing cross from Irfan was met first time by Thiago, who carefully steered the ball past the keeper with his left foot. One nil and well in command. What could possibly go wrong now?
Enter the referee. A high ball was lofted into the Chonburi penalty area and Jackie rose majestically to head clear. Great defending. But inconceivably the official had spotted an infringement and pointed to the spot. It was a complete joke of a decision and was, quite rightly, hotly contested by the Chonburi players. At one stage it looked as if a couple of them would completely lose their cool but, after a deserved yellow shown to a petulant Pipob, things calmed down and the kick was despatched into the back of the net. 1-1 and a huge sense of injustice (or was it disbelief) engulfed those of us in blue.
Thankfully, we regained our composure pretty quickly and were soon carving out chances again at the other end. The most threatening being a long range effort from Adul, which went just over the bar. The same player was involved in the final major incident of the first period, when he was upended by Chainat's number nine. It was a clear yellow and, as he'd been booked a few minutes earlier, he had to go. There were no complaints from the player or his team mates.
The second half was almost entirely one way traffic. Pipob and Thiago both had excellent opportunities to put us back in front but it was to be the man at the centre of the controversial penalty incident who finally found the net. A perfect left wing corner from Irfan was met by the head of Jackie. This time, even the referee couldn't find anything wrong and we were two one up with thirty minutes to play.
The rest of the game was like a training exercise, as Chonburi passed the ball around with ease, the Chainat players either unwilling or unable to take the ball off them. We were also raining shots in on goal. Anucha, Natthapong, Arthit and Samuel all went close and substitute Therdsak had a chance to wrap the game up five minutes from time but couldn't get the ball out from under his feet quickly enough, when he only had the goalie to beat.
The Sharks survived a late scare when the home side had a free kick in the dying seconds but otherwise this was one of the most comfortable victories you'll see. I've been critical of the team at times this season (perhaps over critical?) but today's display was outstanding and everyone played their part. Well done to all involved. Now, let's keep it up and push on from here.
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