Interview With Mark Varney: 2017

League Cup

1st Round

Chiang Mai 2-2 Chonburi

(Chonburi won 4-2 on penalties)

Chiang Mai Municipal Stadium

Attendance: 3,373

Wednesday 26th July, 2017

Post match interview with Mark Varney

Q - It was a big night for Chiang Mai FC. What was the pre match mood like in and around the stadium?

The atmosphere was very good with a close to capacity crowd for Chiang Mai Municipal Stadium. (The atmosphere at home games has been much better at this stadium since the move from the 25,000 capacity 700 year Anniversary Stadium for the start of Leg 2.) I think this game was a bit of an unknown as far as expectation goes, as Chiang Mai haven't really played many top sides or gone on cup runs.

 

Q - What were your expectations for the match?

I thought Chiang Mai were in with a good chance considering they had just played 4 and won 4 at the stadium (M-150 Championship and FA Cup). It seemed to be set up as one of the most likely upsets in the round (Also given the uncertain situation at Chonburi and their exit in the FA Cup to even lower league opposition).

 

Q - What were your impressions of the first half?

Despite Chonburi going ahead, Chiang Mai were always in the game. In fact after the rain started they seemed to deal with the conditions and took the game to Chonburi much of the time, and it was only the play leading to Thiago's goal that provided any real threat.

 

Q - What were our impressions of the second half?

Chiang Mai were generally the better team in the second half, and they continued to press more and make the most of the conditions. After the first goal they had the momentum. The home fans were ecstatic. Chiang Mai had looked like they were capable of getting a goal, but time was starting to run out. Bruno started encouraging the fans to make more and more noise, which they did. They looked to have and probably should have won the game from then on. After the second goal the feeling was that they had scored the winner. The Chonburi players looked devastated, dropping their heads as they got ready for the restart. 

From here it looked more likely that Chiang Mai would score a third than Chonburi would equalize, but it was Chonburi's only significant period of pressure during injury time that led to their second goal, which was greeted with huge disappointment and some anger. Especially as there was a disputed free kick awarded to Chonburi that eventually led to the goal. It was difficult to see the Chonburi fans well under the trees in the far distance, The away stand is small and located under a few trees at the far end of the ground (Actually it is located outside of the ground, just beyond the far fence.) but they were obviously going wild.

 

Q - At the end of ninety minutes, which team looked the likeliest to win in extra time?

At this point it seemed as though Chonburi may have picked up from their equalizer and taken the game to Chiang Mai.

 

Q - Were there any notable incidents during extra time?

Not many. Both sides missed clear shots on an open goal in the second half of extra time. Interestingly the referee blew the whistle with 14 minutes on the clock in the first half of extra time.

 

Q - What were your expectations for the penalty shoot out?

I’d say 50/50 by that stage.

 

Q - What was the atmosphere like during penalties?

Tense. After Bruno missed the first penalty the expectations from the home crowd gradually dropped off.

 

Q - Bruno’s penalty was one of the worst I've ever seen. What was he doing?! And what was the reaction in the stadium?

I'm not sure how he managed it. Bruno is the main penalty taker and has taken and scored two out of two at home since the move to the Municipal Stadium. He is probably Chiang Mai’s best player and very well liked (I think he was Chiang Rai United's top scorer last season). After the initial shock at the manner of his miss, I think he will be forgiven.

 

Q - What were your impressions of Chonburi's penalties?

They seemed very cool and collected. Kroekit's penalty was cheeky and impressive. He actually got quite a bit of applause from the home supporters in appreciation of just how he did it. Chanin seemed to have a very well prepared routine for the penalty shoot out and impressively faced up to each penalty taker before slowly moving back to goal.

 

Q - So, how would you sum up the match overall?

A very exciting cup game, played in difficult conditions and with a fantastic atmosphere. Chonburi were fortunate to come away with the win in the end, despite bossing the penalty shoot out. Chiang Mai should take a lot of positives from this despite the disappointing end.

 

Q - What effect did the wet conditions have on the match, if any?

Chiang Mai seemed to be able to deal with the water better than Chonburi most of the time. It's difficult to say if this would disadvantage 'better players' for sure. Bruno showed excellent footballing skills to be able to control the ball through waterlogged patches of the pitch for example. Players who played better in the conditions weren't necessarily just hoofing the ball upfield and hoping for the best.

 

Q - What were your overall impressions of Chonburi?

They were well organized and defended well given the pitch conditions. They didn't seem so willing as the home players to get men forward and take advantage of the water in and around the penalty box. I was surprised they didn't seem to have more urgency about their play.

 

Q - Did any individual players stand out for you?

Thiago obviously stood out from the point of scoring both goals and he ultimately won Chonburi the game. Kroekrit was very impressive throughout the game and the Chiang Mai players consistently struggled to play against him.

 

Q - What were your overall impressions of the occasion and how did it compare to regular Chiang Mai home games?

It was a great cup tie for the neutral supporter and for the home fans (until the 93rd minute). Chiang Mai have been hoping for these kind of occasions (playing big teams with great atmosphere) for quite a few years now.

Home games in the 2nd leg of this season have all had a great atmosphere and of course until this game, a positive result. This was a bigger game against bigger opposition and so there was a special atmosphere both in terms of the cup and playing Chonburi.

 

Q - Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Chiang Mai will have come away from this game thinking they had nothing to really fear playing Chonburi despite being a lower league team. Chonburi didn't really impress in terms of the expectation of a team towards the top of League 1. Chiang Mai play Muangthong at home in the FA Cup next week. It will be interesting to see how that compares.