PT Prachuap 1-0 Chonburi
Wednesday 25th May 2022
League Cup semi-final
Thammasat Stadium
Attendance: 1,877
Match Report
by Rob Bernard
Prachuap advanced to face Buriram in the final of the League Cup with a goal on sixty-four minutes from Brazilian striker Willen Mota in a game of few chances before withstanding prolonged Chonburi pressure to see out the game.
The Killer Wasp’ had the brighter of the early exchanges with a low cross skimming along the six yard line begging for a final touch before both teams began feeling each other out looking for an opening in a relatively dull first half.
A Prachuap quick counter following a Sharks corner saw Soony Saad fire wide. A lapse from Chonburi’s Songchai Thongcham in his own box was cleaned up by a couple of defensive blocks prior to a low bending free kick at the other end from Gidi Kanyuk being well saved by keeper Jirunpong Thammasiha.
Both sides showed more attacking intent straight from the sound of the whistle at the start of the second half. A Sharks move down the left saw a low cross arrive just behind Yoo Byung-soo whose resultant volley was weak and wide.
Saad’s header was easily gathered by keeper Chanin Sae-ear as play went from end to end. The Sharks Dennis Murillo was doing a decent job leading the line, heading just over from a cross. His teammate Kritsada Kaman backed this up with a shot over the bar.
Prachuap should really have taken the lead just gone the hour mark when a superb cross from Saharat Pongsuwan picked out the free Apichart Denman on the back post, but his header missed the target.
Despite the small crowd rattling round Thammasat both sets of fans created a cacophony of noise with drums and chants underneath the large curving roof of the East Stand. It would be those clad in orange who would have cause to cheer when a simple through ball from Prasit Jantum found Mota who brushed aside the weak efforts of Prasit Jantum to finish calmly.
Prachuap’s players suddenly began more prone to requiring treatment from the physio. I can only assume referee Mongkolchai Pechsri put his foot down with a few words as it stopped after a couple of times in quick succession as the Sharks fans and players sounded their disproval.
Kaman was doing his best to fire up his Chonburi troops and came close to capitalising of dithering defenders but could not get enough power behind his half volley to really trouble custodian Thammasiha.
Sharks pressure mounted but in truth their crossing was woeful. The introduction of diminutive wide man Phitak Pimpae created a few problems, but the Killer Wasp backline were having a good night. A scuffed volley from Kaman summed up Chonburi’s frustrations.
Their best chance of levelling came when a superb cross field diagonal pass from Noppanon Kachaplayuk was chested down by Murillo, but the big Brazilian sliced his left footed effort badly wide. Despite a string of corners, the Prachuap defence held firm to set off wild scenes among their travelling support.
A few personal thoughts to go with my report. I’m not sure either side deserved to win in 90 minutes. It was a tight affair lacking in quality. I was surprised when the goal went in. I thought we were certain of extra time and possibly penalties from an early stage.
Onto the venue. Now there’s no doubt that Thammasat is a superb stadium, despite its running track not being ideal for football fans. The stands are steep, and the views are good, but surely there has to have been a more suitable venue in Bangkok for both sets of fans and neutrals to reach. Especially for a 6pm kick-off.
I live in Minburi and rely upon public transport. I decided to leave at 3pm and go by minivan to Rangsit and bus from there. I got into the ground seven minutes before kick-off. The roads were gridlocked in places as returning schools from the previous Monday add to the mounting rush hour traffic.
The catering was fine outside the East Stand, aside from only one stall selling soft drinks. I didn’t see any alcohol available. The ticket prices were good, so fair play to the Thai FA on that.
My own fault but I decided to seek out the 510 bus after the game back to Rangsit and take a similar journey without the congestion. A huge electrical storm deluged the area, and no taxis were available. Fortunately, I had my poncho with me but still got a proper soaking before eventually flagging down a cab.
It is not difficult to see why Bangkok United, good attractive tenants at Thammasat struggle so hard to attract crowds. Every match is an away fixture unless you live in Rangsit. But for all that, I’ll give it another go and try to suss out the return bus stops!
With thanks to Rob
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