New! Season Previews - 2. Samut Prakan City: 2022

In the second article of our series, Phil Williams previews Samut Prakan City's season.

1. What are your expectations for your club in the season ahead?

To somehow survive in the second division with a squad made up of T3 loanees, Chonburi youngsters and lower league journeymen

2. How have your pre season preparations gone?

In terms of pre-season friendlies, we’ve played four, lost three and drawn one...and two of those defeats have come against T3 university opposition. Fans haven’t got a clue who the players are. All they have to go on are photos from training sessions. At the moment, it feels like a club with no real soul.

3. What are your thoughts on your team's opening four fixtures?

T2 is a bit of an unknown quantity but I’m looking forward to going to Uthai Thani (our first away fixture in gameweek 2) and we face our old adversaries Suphanburi in gameweek 3, that’s if the lucky fuckers don’t somehow find a loophole to keep them in the premier league. There are rumours I keep hearing. 

4. What do you make of your new signings?

Hahaha. I’d just love to be able to put a name to more than the four players who were here last season.

5. And what about the players you've let go?

You basically mean all of ‘em? It’s been heartbreaking to see them all leave one by one. And they’ve been so gracious in departure, saying nothing but positive things about the club and the fans. I’ll be watching all of them with great interest and wish them every success.  

6. Which players will have the most impact this season?

See question number four. Even three of the four players from last season will soon be heading for the exit door. We just haven’t received good enough offers for them yet.

7. If you could bring back one of your club's former coaches, who would it be?

Obviously Masatada Ishii of Buriram, but I think he's happy where he is.

8. If you could give your current head coach one piece of advice, what would it be? And your owners? 

Make us fall in love with Samut Prakan City again and make us feel proud to support the team, yours sincerely, the fans. 

9. Which home games are you most looking forward to?

None spring to mind. Sorry this is turning out to be such a negative interview but seriously, Dale...what did you expect?   

10. And which away games are you most looking forward to?

Well, I’m coming at this purely from the football / travel angle so Krabi and Nakhon Si Thammarat were the first ones I looked out for. Unfortunately I will miss the Krabi game because it’s in early September and I will be visiting my folks in England. I’m looking forward to going to all the stadiums I’ve not seen before, and there are so many to choose from….Chainat, Udon Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Ayutthaya, etc. That part of it and meeting new fans is going to be great.  

11. What do you think of your club's new kits?

No news on club kits as yet. I’ll probably wear the shirts from the previous three seasons and save myself some money. 

12. Who are your favourites to win the league?

So can I answer for T1 and T2? I can’t see past Buriram for the premier league title and as for T2, I just don’t know enough about the teams. I think Suphanburi might be up there.

13. Who else do you think can challenge?

BG Pathum and Bangkok United. I guess it’ll be a rubber stamp of last season. 

14. Who is going down?

From T1, I have no idea. I’ve been so pre-occupied with trying to keep abreast with what’s going on at Samut Prakan that I haven’t really thought about it. Hopefully in T2 there will be three teams worse than Samut Prakan and Rob ‘Mr Championship’ Scott assures me that there are. 

15. Which team would you most like to beat this season?

The truth is that I don’t feel a rivalry with any of them – even close neighbors Kasetsart FC and Customs United. The 17 T2 teams, albeit in very different places geographically, feel a much of a muchness to me.  

16. Who will be this season's surprise package?

Samut Prakan City. Oh come on! I’ve got to say something positive.

17. What changes would you make to improve the Thai league?

Stop treating fans as an afterthought and keep us involved. There are less than two weeks until the season starts and we still don’t know the kick off times for gameweek one fixtures. That can’t be right. In no league in the world can that be right. 

18. Which visiting fans are you most looking forward to seeing at your stadium?

We will extend a warm welcome to everyone. We are just happy to still have a club to support. 

19. What are your match day superstitions and routine?

Tun and I get to the match about 90 minutes before kick off and mill around the fan zone for a while and chat with our regular friends. I still enjoy that part of a game and always will.

20. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I think when we first heard about becoming Chonburi FC’s ‘feeder club’ initially there was a lot of confusion, bewilderment and anger...a sense of 'what's happening to our beloved club?. It was difficult to get any official updates and fans were left with no choice other than to rely on gossip and rumour. 

But over time, the frustration has given way to a resignation that without Chonburi stepping in to take over, Samut Prakan may well have folded as a football club. OK, it's far from an ideal situation, but as many Samut Prakan fans have said...'at least we still have a club to support' 

I agree. Let's all get behind the team and hopefully have a shot of getting back into the premier league, even though I feel that second division survival is the main objective. More on that as the season unfolds I guess. 

From a personal point of view Dale, let me get a bit emotional here. I think back to our three seasons in the premier league. Let’s call them the glory days. I think back to having a chat with you in front of the shark at the Chonburi Stadium, sharing a beer with Jamie after the game at Buriram and likewise with Russ up at Nakhon Ratchisima, and enjoying an Indian curry with Alec before the game at Chiang Rai. So many great football moments with great guys that I will treasure forever. And then I look at where we are now as a club and I wonder if  we’ll ever get back to the dizzy heights of T1 and will I ever get to experience those moments again? Because at the present time, it feels like a million miles away.

New! Season Previews - 1. Buriram Utd: 2022

Here's Jamie Pinder with his Buriram Utd season preview.

1. What are your expectations for your club in the season ahead?

Same as every year. Expect to be champions and at least one cup. It’s boring but it’s true.

2. How have your pre season preparations gone?

A mixed bag. I’m sure the coach has learned a lot from our games. The big test is on Saturday.

3. What are your thoughts on your team's opening four fixtures?

Two wins, a tough game at Chonburi and a home game against BG. I’d take 10 points.

4. What do you make of your new signings?

Frank Castenada from Colombia, Goran Causic from Serbia and Lonsana Doumbouya from Mali all look like top quality additions.

5. And what about the players you've let go?

Only going to miss Supachok.

6. Which players will have the most impact this season?

Let’s see. I’m glad we’ve kept the main overseas contingent from last year.

7. If you could bring back one of your club's former coaches, who would it be?

I wouldn’t. 

8. If you could give your current head coach one piece of advice, what would it be? And your owners? 

I’m happy with our coach. I’d like to see more fan interaction such as regular open forums.

9. Which home games are you most looking forward to? 

Always Muang Thong and Port.

10. And which away games are you most looking forward to? 

Lampang and Nong Bua.

11. What do you think of your club's new kits?

Very funny. Unusually we’re still waiting.

12. Who are your favourites to win the league and why?

The same two as last year. Can’t see anyone matching them.

13. Who else do you think can challenge?

The race for 3rd will be Chiang Rai, Port and Muang Thong.

14. Who is going down?

Khon Kaen Utd, Lampang and Police. Just think they’re the weakest.

15. Which team would you most like to beat this season?

BG. They seem to have got a curse on us recently 

16. Who will be this season's surprise package?

Chonburi. 

17. What changes would you make to improve the Thai league?

Stop scheduling long away trips for Friday evening matches. Play local derbies on Saturdays.

18. Which visiting fans are you most looking forward to seeing at your stadium? 

Muang Thong, Port and Korat. Always good to see a full away paddock.

19. What are your match day superstitions and routine?

Always arrive too early and always wear the correct home or away shirt. 

20. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I’m looking forward to full stadia and the return of music and dancing. Love to see teams introduce other instruments such as trumpets to add to the sound. 

New! Chonburi 3-3 Customs Utd - Highlights: 2022

 Friendly

Chonburi 3-3 Customs Utd

Chonburi Stadium

29th July, 2022

New! Aviation LP: 2022

Here's a flying/airport themed LP, in honour of our new stadium sponsors U- Tapao Aviation (UTA).

Side 1

Airport - The Motors

Flying Again - The Members 

Leaving On A Jet Plane - John Denver

Come Fly With Me - Frank Sinatra

Eight Miles High - The Byrds

Side 2

Jet - Wings

Jet Boy - New York Dolls

Airportman - REM

Flying - The Beatles

China In Your Hand - (U) Tapao

Football Fever - Thai Style: 2010

Football Fever - Thai Style

Shropshire expat Duncan Kaiser on the football scene in his new home, Thailand.

Shropshire Star

December 18th, 2010

The final of the Thai FA Cup was played at the end of November in front of 35,000 fans at National Stadium in the heart of Bangkok.

It was a great spectacle with both sets of fans totally bedecked in either the red of Muang Thong United (newly crowned Premier League champions) or the blue of huge rivals Chonburi (kind of the Liverpool of Thai football, having been years in the comfort zone as No. 1 then being rudely knocked off their perch by ambitious others). Chonburi triumphed 2-1 with a goal after 116 minutes in extra time, thereby denying Muang Thong an historic double.

The success, high profile and attendance of this match illustrates the huge strides that Thai football has made in a short period of time. Major investment has come in from the private ownership of clubs and the sponsorship that has followed. Players' wages have risen dramatically, stadiums are being improved and even built anew. Perhaps more importantly, major ambition has also emerged. The level of competition in the top flight of the Thai league ladder has never been more intense.

Two years ago a friend and I popped along to our 'local' team, the aforementioned Muang Thong United, as they play not too far from where we work. Not expecting much, I was delighted when I had an evening of banter, beers, non-stop singing and standing on the terraces. We were welcomed into the 'ultra' brotherhood instantly. It was great! The crowd that night was around 3000. This season, the same team have averaged around 15,000, with a whopping 20,000 plus crammed in for the visit of Chonburi. It really is a huge success story and very exciting.

As you might expect, going to a Thai football game is all about fun, singing and excitement. In fact, the action on the field is often secondary to the celebrations in the stands. It is a constant cacophony of songs, drumming and clapping, with ticker tape plus the odd horn or flare for good measure. The last English game I attended was Shrewsbury vs Wycombe in the depths of winter 2008 (a cruel 1-0 defeat for The Shews as it happened) and this fans' display compares favourably I must say. Giant flags are also waved and 'ultra leaders' on megaphones stoke the crowd from their little platforms at the front of the stand.

So they are a passionate bunch (even if you can question the sudden appearance of so many new fanatical supporters in just two years) and at times there have been bits of bother as these passions spill over. A riot marred the Charity Shield-equivalent season opener in March and other games have ended in 'serious disorder' among fans, as the police like to say. Team walk-offs at bad decisions are not uncommon either. But, overall, going to games is safe and fun – no, really.

Chonburi, as mentioned earlier, are the traditional powerhouses of Thai football but have been overtaken lately and have to react quickly if they are to remain at the top. Buriram PEA are a brand new franchise, US and MK Dons-style, relocated from the central city of Ayutthaya to the heartland of Isaan, a region in the North East with a fierce sense of identity and the potential for crowds of forty thousand plus. Thai Port and Bangkok Glass have also upped their game on and off the pitch.

Bryan Robson, coach of Thailand, will be hoping this increased level of professionalism in the league structure is reflected in the performances of the national team. If this occurs, then the deeply ingrained passion for, and knowledge of, football here will provide a stirring backing for successful Thai teams of the future.

One barrier to that, however, having played with and against Thais over the years, is the tendency they have to over-elaborate, make wrong decisions, delay a pass and lose team shape. How many times have I screamed at a wide player to get back and help out? (Not that this is in any way annoying of course.)

This problem was evident in the cup final, so more work on these areas would add to the undoubted talent for the game that Thai players possess. I can also vouch for this having been routinely skinned and bamboozled by whippet-like Thais with fast feet in games here.

For a snippet of Thai terrace fever go to this link and also keep your eye on Thai football as it continues to evolve and make its mark, hopefully, in Asia then beyond.

What odds a Thai team upsetting the World Cup hosts in 2018?

This article first appeared in the Shropshire Star

New! Chonburi 1-2 Port Authority - Highlights: 2022

 Southern Cup

Final

Chonburi 1-2 Port Authority

Tinsulanon Stadium, Songkhla

Sunday 17th July, 2022

New! New Signings: 2022

CHALERMPONG KERDKAEW

Age: 35

Position: Centre Half

Previous Club: Nakorn Ratchasima

AMADOU OUATTARA

Age: 31

Position: Winger

Previous Club: Nakorn Ratchasima

KITTIPONG SAENSANIT

Age: 23

Position: Left Back

Previous Club: Samut Prakan City

SUMANYA PURISAI

Age: 35

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Previos Club: BG Pathum Utd

ZAW MIN TUN

Age: 30

Position: Centre Back

Previous Club: Trat

DANILO ALVES

Age: 31

Position: Forward

Previous Club: Suphanburi

Chonburi 2-2 Police Tero (5-4 pens) - Highlights: 2022

 Southern Cup

Police Tero 2-2 Chonburi (4-5 pens)

Tinsulanon Stadium, Songkhla

Friday 15th July, 2022

League Cup Phetchaburi 0-4 Chonburi - Match Report: 2012

League Cup

Round 2

Petchaburi 0-4 Chonburi

Phetchaburi Municipal Stadium

Attendance: 1,300

Wednesday 11th July, 2012

Match report

PHETCHABURI 0-4 CHONBURI

In spite of the reservations about the team selection in my preview, this was every bit as comfortable as the result would suggest. In fact, if we’d have scored eight no-one could have had any complaints. I can only remember the home side having two shots on target, whilst we were guilty of squandering a number of good chances at the other end. However, it would be churlish to find fault after such an emphatic and, dare I say, professional victory.

The starting eleven certainly raised a few eyebrows – with only four regular first teamers making the cut -  but not nearly as many as the pitch. It was a shocker. If I say that it was the worst one I’ve seen in over fifteen years of following Thai football, you’ll get an idea of just how bad it was. Prior to kick off I commented that it could only get worse if it were to rain. Right on cue, the heavens opened. Thankfully it was only a light shower and it didn’t last long but it had certainly made the already rotten surface a lot worse.

It was quite clear from the early exchanges that the biggest threat would come from the conditions underfoot and not the opposition. Both Diakite and Kiatprawut looked very uncomfortable when the ball was passed to them in the back line and we had a couple of nervy moments in the opening few minutes. Sinthaweechai in goal was also the victim of a horrendous bobble from a back pass, which squeezed under his foot and headed towards the unguarded net. Fortunately he was able to react quickly enough and raced back to clear the danger and spare his blushes.

As the match wore on, the visitors gradually adapted their game and once Noppanon put us in front with a lovely turn and finish on fifteen minutes, the result was never in doubt. Dossevi, who was getting a rare start, was playing well and seemed to relish running at the Phetchaburi defence at every opportunity. The big striker was rewarded for his efforts just before half time when he rose to head home a right wing cross and give a fairer reflection of the first half had gone.

After the break, the home side showed a little more determination to get forward and launched a series of attacks, thus forcing Sinthaweechai into his first really serious action since his potential “egg on the face” moment in the opening period. However, the in-form keeper dealt with any threats quite comfortably.

In spite of the home side’s pressure, it came as no real surprise when the Sharks added a third on fifty eight minutes when Akarawin slid home Noppanon’s first time cross. From here on in it really was a case of “how many?”

With the Phetchaburi players clearly tiring and obviously dis-heartend, Heng rather cruelly brought on Therdsak and Pipob to have some fun during the last thirty minutes. There then followed wave after wave of Chonburi attacks when the players were clearly trying to trying to set each other up to score. But in spite of all the pressure, there was only to be one more goal added when Therdsak blasted the ball into the roof of the net from Pipob’s pass.

So, 4-0, job done and on into the next round. It was a thorough performance from Chonburi and the only real downside was what looked like a serious injury to Kushida. The ever present Japanese player was clattered from behind late in the first half and didn’t return after the interval. I can only hope that this was just a cautionary measure and that the rapidly improving midfielder will be fit enough to feature at the weekend.

Interview With Zaw Min Tun - 2019

My interview with defender, Zaw Min Tun, from May, 2019.

What are your early impressions of the Thai league?

A – I think Thai league is a very high standard and I am excited to be playing in it. All of the teams appear to have their strong points and it is very competitive.

After a good opening result, we struggled for a few weeks. Why do you think this happened?

A – Initially, there was a lack of understanding among the players. This was our main weak point.

So to what do you attribute our improvement?

A – We worked hard on our understanding of each other, our tactics and now we are more cohesive as a team.

What is the mood like in the camp?

A – The mood is good. We all get along really well.

How do you think we will perform for the rest of the season?

A – I think we will improve even more and become a much better, competitive team.

On a personal level, which has been your best game so far?

A – The match against Buriram Utd. I was very happy with my performance. I thought I had a solid game and didn’t make many mistakes.

It was entertaining to watch, but what are your feelings about the recent 7-5 win against Chiang Mai?

A – I wasn’t satisfied with the 7-5 win because of the fact we conceded too many goals.

How did it feel to score your first goal – the 3-2 win against Prachuap?

A – It made me feel very happy.

How closely are people back at home following your progress?

A – They are following my progress very closely and are happy to see me doing well.

What do you like to do when you’re not playing or training?

A – I enjoy spending my free time with my family.

Finally, do you have a message for the Chonburi fans?

A – Thank you for coming to support the team and for welcoming me. I promise I will always try my best.

TPL Chonburi 0-0 Osotspa - Match Report: 2010

TPL

Chonburi 0-0 Osotspa

IPE Stadium

Attendance: 6,836

Sunday 4th July, 2010

Match Report 

A hugely disappointing evening for the vast majority of what was a surprisingly low crowd - maybe the stayaways knew something that we didn't. I'm going to gloss over the first half as there really isn't that much to report. I'm struggling to remember a worthy effort on target for either team, although Chonburi did cause problems for the visitors defence from a right wing corner. Unfortunately, nobody managed to get a touch on the ball, when any form of contact would have resulted in a goal.

The second half saw the Sharks step up the pace but the massed ranks of red and yellow shirted defenders frustrated them at every turn. Without the guile of Therdsak, we seemed to be lacking ideas and there were even one or two instances when team mates were having a go at each other. There's no way I'm suggesting that we are a one man team, but the wily veteran was sorely missed today. Not just for his passing but for his steadying influence on the rest of the players.

In all honesty, Osotspa showed very little in the way of attacking intent and they coped fairly comfortably with our rather impotent strike force. I can't quite put my finger on what is wrong with Baga but he's nowhere near the player he was last time around. Benie blows hot and cold and this was one of his off days. And even Michael Byrne seemed off colour, when he's usually the one to get stuck in when the occasion demands. I guess three weeks out hasn't helped.

So, where do we go from here? There's the FA Cup tie on Wednesday which will no doubt see a few players "rested" and then a rearranged home game against Bangkok United next Saturday. Two confidence boosting wins and a hatful of goals will do nicely, thank you. Over to you, lads.

League Cup Ratchaburi 1-0 Chonburi - Match Report: 2013

League Cup

Quarter Final 1st Leg

Ratchaburi 1-0 Chonburi

Ratchaburi Municipal Stadium

Wednesday 3rd July, 2013

Match Report

THE RAIN FALLS HARD ON A HUMDRUM TOWN

After nearly three hours of driving through glorious sunshine, we pass the “Welcome to Ratchaburi” sign and the heavens open. It absolutely buckets down. Thankfully there are still another three hours to go until kick off. We are all fearing a Samut Songkhramesque swampfest later but we soldier on towards the ground. After finding a suitable parking spot, we grab our brollies and run – rather gingerly, it has to be said -  into the local Robinsons to look for food.

MEAT IS MURDER

After settling on the Jeffer’s Steak House as our restaurant of preference (sorry Pizza Company & KFC), we peruse the menu for something suitable to fill the hole. However, everything we ask for – apart from our choice of drinks – has run out. Fantastic! A steak house with no steak! Finally, we find a dish they still have, so we order that. When it eventually arrives – thirty minutes later – it is actually quite good.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, LET ME GET WHAT I WANT

Following our meal, we make the short walk to the stadium. It’s still raining lightly, and is very wet underfoot, but we remain optimistic that the match will go ahead. We buy a few beers and sit down amongst a group of fellow travellers to discuss the match. After the disappointments of recent weeks, we are all hoping for an improvement and for the team to put in some effort. For the first ten minutes or so, we are fairly content, as we hassle, challenge and even create a couple of chances. Sadly, after such a bright start, we fall back into recent bad habits and let the home side dominate for the remainder of the opening period.

STOP ME IF YOU THINK YOU’VE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE

Our answer to this, is to make yet another first half substitution; the unfortunate Noppanon being replaced by Samuel after 40 minutes. I don’t know what the World Record for first half changes is but we must hold it. And, once again, our tactics leave a lot to be desired. Therefore, it comes as no surprise when Ratchaburi take the lead. The dissatisfaction on the terraces is tangible and it’s obvious that the players are just as fed up as we are. The small, but loyal, band of fans in the away end has done its bit to try and raise the team but now have all but given up and people are making their own amusement – posting on Facebook seems to be the most popular. I settle for counting the number of hexagons that have been imprinted into the concrete terracing under my feet.

NOWHERE FAST

The second half sees an improvement and we enjoy the lion’s share of possession. There are even a few cohesive passing moves and forays into the opposition penalty area. Unfortunately, we look toothless in front of goal and never look like scoring. It’s a clear sign that confidence is low as no-one is prepared to shoot. Adul finally plucks up the courage to have a go (in injury time) but his effort goes wide. The final whistle goes and one or two players sink to their knees. The fans shrug and start to filter out of the ground. All that huff and puff and we’ve got nowhere. The team comes over to acknowledge those fans who remain and then slink away towards the dressing room to listen to  pearls of wisdom from our coaching staff.

YOU JUST HAVEN’T EARNED IT YET, BABY

As we wallow in self pity, the rest of the stadium celebrates. However, the celebrations are disproportionate to the occasion. It’s still only “half time” and, as poor as we were, I don’t think Ratchaburi are a particularly good side. This tie is far from over. Enjoy your moment, folks, but remember, there’s still another ninety minutes to play. And, who knows, by the time you come to our place, we might just have turned the corner and be in the mood to give someone a right good tonking! You won’t seem so smug then. Will ya?

HEAVEN KNOWS I’M MISERABLE NOW

We trudge wearily back to the car, avoiding puddles, joyful home fans, errant motorbikes and incompetent traffic police. Another rotten display and I’ve got a three hour drive home in the dark to look forward to. It’s been pretty grim supporting Chonburi just lately and I have to dig deep into my reserves of strength to turn the key in the ignition. It’s not just the results, it’s everything. There is a deep malaise at the club just now and it needs to be stamped out before we go into freefall. I don't think I'm being melodramatic here. The management seems to have taken its eye off the ball and let the playing side of things slip. It's all very well having fancy "name" brand merchandise for sale in the club shop and a state of the art ticketing system but without a decent team on the pitch, it all counts for nowt.

BACK TO THE OLD HOUSE

The journey back is a pretty mournful affair. Amidst long bouts of silence (and a lively discussion on the state of youth football in England), we dissect the match, what’s going wrong at the club and how we would deal with it. We stop a couple of times for toilet breaks and to stock up on comfort food – crisps, pop and sweets etc. We also spend half an hour trying to recall the name of the snack that customers are given free in Indian restaurants in the UK. When I finally remember that it’s called Bombay Mix, it’s the highlight of the trip. After dropping off my two travelling companions, I continue the rest of the drive home in silence and replay the whole game in my head. We still lose.