ToT 0-0 Chonburi - Match Report: 2009

TPL

TOT 0-0 Chonburi

ToT Stadium

Saturday 15th August, 2009

Attendance: 3,100

Match Report

An entertaining but ultimately frustrating afternoon, which saw the league's leading scorers fail to find the net for the second successive game. But it could, and should, have been so different.

In complete contrast to Wednesday's match, Chonburi employed an attacking approach and created a hatful of chances. With the hard working Adul in the middle and full backs Suree and Nattapong marauding down the wings it seemed that the visitors would return to winning ways after their slip up during the week. The desire was certainly there. Unfortunately desire alone is not enough and if you don't score goals you don't win matches - which on days like this seems totally unfair.

The visitors dominated in the first half and enjoyed the bulk of possession. On the rare occasions that TOT threatened they found the Chonburi defence in fine form - one tackle from Suree to deny a home striker a certain goal was quite sublime. Chonlatit and Kiatprawut both looked solid and comfortably dealt with anything that came their way. And for long periods Kosin was reduced to a spectator's role; so much so that I half expected one of the Thunderdome turnstile operators to ask him for B50.

The second half picked up where the first had ended with The Sharks againing enjoying a lot of the ball. Micheal Byrne, obviously fit again, was introduced on the hour mark and was involved straight away with some nice link up play and his no nonsense tackling approach. Indeed such was his enthusiasm that within a minute or so of entering the fray he had to briefly leave the field for treatment to a bloody nose.

As the last ten minutes arrived the realisation finally dawned on the, once again, impressive away following that this wasn't to be our day. However, it threatened to get worse. Maybe sensing the resignation that had set in to the Chonburi players and supporters, TOT pressed forward and were unlucky not to snatch a goal, and all three points, for themselves.

One chance was headed just over from very close range, Suchao was flagged offiside when he was clear on goal with only the keeper to beat (even from the opposite end of the ground I could see that this was the wrong decision) and Madengue hit the post with a shot after a mazey run which left numerous white shirted defenders scattered on the floor.

So, in the end, another point. I would have preferred three and a bagful of goals but having endured the last ten minutes, I'll take it. We're still top. For the time being.