BEC Tero 1-2 Chonburi - Match Report: 2009

TPL

BEC Tero Sasana 1-2 Chonburi

Nong Jork

Attendance: 2,400

Sunday 26th July, 2009

Match report

Traditionally this has been the biggest game of the season for us. However, with Tero's star fading and other clubs overtaking them both on and off the field this was just another fixture. Although for the first time in three years we at least had the pleasure of visiting at the weekend.

The heavy rain that greeted us on our arrval in Nong Jork had made playing conditions very difficult but Chonburi started like a team that had something to prove. The ball was fizzed around quickly and accurately and the huge travelling support were able to forget the soaking they were getting as they settled back to enjoy the game.

At half time the visitors were two goals to the good - two set pieces - but really should have had four or five. Kone being guilty of the biggest miss when he headed wide from six yards out.

The second half was a complete reversal of the first. Tero had obviously had a bit of a talking to during the break and tore into Chonburi from the first whistle. Using the flanks to great effect and getting numbers forward they were causing the visitors defence all sorts of problems; the introduction of Bamba on the right wing had the biggest impact. Kosin made a few good saves (his handling has improved during the past few weeks) and the Tero forwards rattled the, correctly proportioned, woodwork more times than I found comfortable.

Therefore, it came as no surprise when they pulled a goal back. I felt at this time that if they'd scored again they would have been favourites to win. Thankfully some brave defending and good fortune saw us home.

The celebrations at the final whistle were slightly muted as we all knew that we had got away with a fortunate three points. But do I care? Thanks to other results (the announcement of the BKK Glass result on the bus received the loudest cheer of the day) we now have a clear lead at the top. And with Muang Thong also losing and Osotspa dropping a point it was a good day for us.

A few other points of interest. Michael Byrne came on midway through the second half. He showed a few good touches - a lovely through ball to set up Kone was a joy - and put himself about a bit. His experiences on the non League grounds of England was also an advantage as he kept his nerve to run the clock down during the final few nervy minutes.

I feel I do have to comment on the man in the middle. He was awful!! He gave free kicks for non-existent fouls, let pretty bad tackles go and yellow carded players for innocuous challenges. He had a shocker and made no allowances whatsoever for the conditions.

Finally, on to Tero themselves. I've posted on another thread that they'll have to do some serious thinking if they're not to get left behind. Their home support doesn't seem to have grown and their ground falls far short of some of the other stadiums that are currently being used or being built.

On the playing front, there were certainly signs that Tawan can turn things round and lead them to a top four finish. Whether they can still attract the big names remains to be seen.