League Cup Chonburi v Phitsanulok - Match Previews: 2010

Match Preview

Phitsanulok v Chonburi - 

League Cup 

1st Round 1st Leg 

29/8/10

The first ever meeting between Chonburi and Phitsanulok will take place later today in the much maligned Toyota League Cup. The tournament has caused a few ripples, mainly due to its late inception, the way the draw was made and the two legged format, but very little in the way of genuine interest. If this had been a one off match, I would almost certainly have made the effort to go, in spite of the distance involved and the inconvenient kick off time. But the fact there will be a second tie in Chonburi on Thursday made the whole exercise seem rather pointless - although as I'm writing this there is a part of me wishing that I'd gone. 

Coach Jadet has hinted that he will pick a strong team and I think that is the right decision. I don't suscribe to this, "I'm not that bothered if we don't go through, we have other priorities," approach that some fans have. I want us to win every game, regardless of the competition. For me winning matches is the best form of instilling confidence in a team. 

In all honesty, this cup tie should be a pretty one sided affair and the Sharks are red hot favourites to win - whichever team they decide to put out - especially over two legs. In a single game, anything can happen but the likelihood of us losing against a team from the third tier over 180 minutes is fairly remote. I would like to see a good professional performance today and I'd especially like to see Baga have a good game. If anyone needs a boost it's this young man. Tonight's match will be the perfect opportunity for him to get on the score sheet and hopefully silence a few of the boo boys who have been getting on his back in recent weeks. Fingers crossed that he can shut them up. 

Match Preview

Chonburi v Phitsanulok

League Cup 

1st Round 2nd Leg 

2/9/10

 

With Chonburi already two up after the first leg and seemingly safely through to the next round, the big questions regarding tonight will mainly be focused on our starting line up and how many will turn up to watch. I still expect Jadet to pick a reasonably strong team and I hope he does. Football has a habit of surprising you - which is one of the main reasons we all love it so much - and complacency could be our most difficult opponent this evening. Therefore, I would hope to see most of the first team regulars on the pitch when we kick off. We need to be professional and treat this fixture like any other in order to avoid any slip ups. 

In one respect, it would be good for the tie if Phitsanulok were to get an early goal but I'd much rather we ran out comfortable winners than have to spend the evening chewing my fingernails down to the elbow. 

As for the attendance, I doubt that there will be more than 1200 there. The club surprisingly haven't reduced prices and it's highly unlikely that the visitors will bring many - although any who do travel deserve an awful lot of credit - so it's hard to imagine much in the way of a crowd. However, I'm sure that those who do make the effort will try their best to create a bit of an atmosphere. Certainly putting the kick off back an hour to seven o'clock will make it a lot easier for people who are coming from work but it's hardly the most appealing fixture.