TPL
Muang Thong Utd 1-0 Chonburi
SCG Stadium
Attendance: 12,579
Sunday 1st May, 2016
Match Report
by Peter Reeves
So, did Therdsak get it right or was he wrong?
During the week he must have been pondering how to approach this match. He had watched his own team in the last two matches lack any creativity, defensive capability, finishing power. They had been awful against Army and Nakhon Ratchasima, and now you have to go to a buoyant Muangthong United, last time out 3-0 winners at Buriram. He must have lost sleep at the thought of what might happen.
He decided to perform a damage limitation exercise. He did not want a 4 or 5-0 defeat. Four at the back very deep, five in front of them and a lonely striker way up the field. Stop Muangthong running riot. This is negative and showed a basic mistrust in his team and their potential performance but that is quite understandable under the circumstances and given the recent performances of both teams.
As a tactic it is fine providing that three things occur. Firstly make sure you keep that shape at all costs. Second, when you get the ball you have enough bodies around to keep it and third, you have to use what limited possession you will have effectively by ensuring that at least one, preferably two players get up to support the striker, who must hold and shield the ball waiting for support, when you have the opportunity to get forward.
The first issue was ok for most of the first half except once, when the right back was missing as a cross came in, another defender had a rush of blood to the head, misjudged the bounce of the ball and jumped underneath it and it’s 1-0. If the right back had kept his shape it wouldn’t have happened, Second issue, they were having trouble keeping the ball and not giving it away. The midfield is going to be crowded so technique and close control essential, as is players moving to give you options. Not happening.
Hence the ball was either lumped forward to a striker playing against 4, most of the time on his own, or just given away. Within 10 or 15 seconds of gaining possession it was often lost and here come Muangthong again. The Muangthong midfield were running the show, as you can when a defensive formation constantly does not threaten your possession. The Sharks had a couple of forays forward where they tested the United defence but were always short of numbers.
As the half wore on they were having more possession but the final ball was lacking. The first meaningful shot from the Sharks went over the bar and landed in my driveway. They scrambled their way to half time with only a one goal deficit. Dos Santos had put one of theirs in hospital and generally ‘put himself about a bit’ and the rest had worked hard if not particularly efficiently.
Did Therdsak see what I saw? That Muangthong whilst being ‘given’ the ascendancy were a bit vulnerable. There was space between the back four and midfield, especially in wider areas, and their full backs were pushing up without cover behind. Lack of cover in front of their back four meant they had space to get it into that area, hold it and create. I remember thinking a 4-3-3 here would exploit that as would pressing the ball and the opposition further up the pitch rather than letting them come on to you.
Second half. What a difference. They forgot their negative approach, reverted to a 4-3-3, ‘almost’ with the diamond, but not quite and went on the attack. Now it was Chonburi who were playing the football. The game opened up and whilst Muangthong still looked capable of getting a second, the Sharks looked more likely to equalize. Space was being exploited, especially on the flanks, effort levels were high, they were creating but not finishing. With a decent striker this would have been a different scoreline. Yes, they rode their luck a bit at times, but you have to do that. An excellent second half not rewarded.
So did he get it right?
Understandable initial setup but maybe for the first 10 or 15 minutes then change it. Easy to be clever in hindsight of course, and it’s always ‘if’s’ isn’t it. ‘If’ he saw those spaces they exploited so well in the second half, in the first half, ‘he could’ have changed it as he did for the second half. I am sure though he was thinking ‘get to half time’. Not unreasonable. But they gave them far too much respect and allowed them to dominate.
At the end of the day Chonburi were worth a point in my view and Muangthong would have been pleased to hear the final whistle. Chonburi are a visual perception of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. One week awful, the next quite good. And tonight they showed they could mix it with the better teams. So why do we get Army and Swatcat performances? I don’t know. One possible answer is that they can raise their game when the opposition is better. They had played well against Buriram away and Suphanburi at home but got nothing in either match and tonight was the same. But against poor opposition they seem to drop to the opponent’s level instead of maintaining their own standards.
If you are playing well and not winning it is usually two things either individually or both at the same time. One, poor defending and two, lack of creativity and finishing. Against Suphanburi, Buriram and tonight it was the latter, even though in all three games they ‘gifted’ goals away. There needs to be a creative midfielder who can unlock a defence with one pass and a striker who is quick, tough and can score. They missed out on both, both of whom were available, during the close season. Clearly someone isn’t doing their homework at the club.
One final point. What a great stadium. Must pay a visit this year, but what amazing support for Chonburi. Fantastic effort by the fans.
So again, did he get it right?
I think so given all the options and pre-match considerations. With a decent striker and some real creativity they might have won and except for one moment of madness at the back would have got at least a draw. Now, can they take it forward now from here and build a decent season?
I seem to remember saying the same thing after the Suphanburi game.
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