League Cup
Round 4
Ratchaburi 2-1 Chonburi
Ratchaburi Stadium
Wednesday 11th June, 2014
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNT FROM RATCHABURI v CHONBURI
1. The water in Ratchaburi has magical healing powers - especially when frozen
One minute, you're rolling around on the floor clutching your head/leg/arm/back fearing for your future in the game. The next, you're running around like playful kitten, without a care in the world. And all thanks to the magical healing qualities of the Ratchaburi water. Just a couple of squirts from the physio's bottle, or a rubdown with a block of ice, and you're right as rain again within seconds. Why isn't this stuff commercially available?
2. Watching a match at The Bazaar is an enjoyable experience
Waitress service, relatively cheap beer, food, comfy chairs (wobbly tables), a clear view of a big screen and a much shorter journey home all contributed to an enjoyable experience - although those rainbow coloured horses do trip you out after a couple of pints - which was only spoiled by the match itself. As one wag suggested, "I'm quite tempted to come here to watch the home games as well."
3. Jaime has a cult following among Chonburi fans
The hapless Jaime Braganca produced yet another poor performance last night. It really is a mystery why we signed him. Truly baffling. However, he has certainly made his mark with the Chonburi faithful. The peals of laughter from the Thai fans that echoed around the Bazaar following his every mistake last night, were a real eye opener. It's not just us that's noticed then.
4. Deliberate handball is only a yellow card offence sometimes
After correctly issuing a yellow card to Ratchaburi's Douglas for a deliberate handball early in the second half, the referee failed to repeat the punishment when a home defender punched - PUNCHED! - the ball, towards the end of the game. The Man in the Middle was guilty of making many other - shall we call them "mistakes" - during the course of the ninety minutes but let's not go into that now.
5. We haven't really improved under Masahiro Wada
There's no doubting that all our early season optimism - remember 10 matches unbeaten at the start of the campaign? - has long since evaporated and we are left with the cold, hard truth. We simply aren't good enough. The squad looks weak and without Thiago, we never look like being a serious threat to opposing defences. The new coach really must accept the blame for this. He enjoyed a reasonable honeymoon period at the beginning of his tenure but now is the time for him to prove himself. The transfer window is open so let's see which players he gets rid of and who he brings in. Money may be tight, but there are still a few players out there who are affordable and could do a job for us. The ball is in your court, Mr Wada.
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