Chonburi 1-3 BEC Tero - Highlights: 2007

 TPL

Chonburi 1-3 BEC Tero

Chonburi Municipal Stadium

31st March, 2007

New! My Thai Football Diary: (March) 2023

Saturday 4th March

TPL: Chonburi 2-2 Khon Kaen Utd (Chonburi Stadium)

I got to the stadium nice and early and managed to take lots of photographs (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) of the ground and the staff preparing to host the match. The game itself was a reasonably entertaining 2-2 draw. I think it was a fair result. Obviously disappointed we didn't win, but a good day was had and I caught up with a few friend and introduced a mate, Jon, and his son, Jake, to the joys of supporting Chonburi FC. They really enjoyed their first experience watching the Sharks and vowed to return.

Sunday 5th March

TPL: BG Pathum Utd 1-3 Nongbua Pichaya (TV)

TPL: Port 2-3 Muang Thong Utd (TV)

I watched a couple of matches on the tele. First up BG Pathum United - probably the only team in the league currently worse than us – against Nongbua Pichaya - who had beaten us the week before. The visitors deservedly won 3-1. Then switched over to watch the rest of Port v Muang Thong Utd. The away team came from two nil down to win three two. Lots of controversy – involving penalties, VAR etc - and Madame Pang had a hissy fit at the end, confronting the officials. Entertaining enough, I suppose.

Thursday 9th March

PTT Stadium

On the way back from a short break in Chantaburi, we stopped off at the PTT Stadium in Rayong, one of the nicer Thai league grounds of recent years. It’s currently not being used to host professional football matches, which is a real shame. I managed to get inside without any problems and had a good walk around. I took lots of photographs. As much as I enjoyed myself, I also felt quite sad. It is a decent ground and a lot better than many that are hosting matches in the top flight. It deserves better. If we could dismantle it and transfer it piece by piece up to Chonburi, I wouldn't be too unhappy.

Sunday 12th March

TPL: Bangkok Utd 3-1 Chonburi (Thammasat Stadium)

Drove up to Bangkok with Claire, Tim and Osman. We had a lovely late morning/early afternoon walking round Chatuchak market. I hadn’t been there for a very long time. It was busy and extremely hot. Also the air quality wasn't the greatest. In fact, Bangkok went from the 14th most polluted city in the world to the 12th, in the couple of hours that we were there. I know because Osman was monitoring it on his phone. There’s not much to say about the match, however pre match I had one of those great experiences you only get at Thai football. 

As the ground is on a university campus, we couldn't buy beer at the stadium or at the local 7 11s so I asked a local motorbike taxi driver to take me somewhere we could purchase the golden liquid. After about a minute, we rolled up at a private house down one of the sois behind the college. I knocked on the door and a little old lady opened the shutter. It was a bit like being in the USA during Prohibition. Behind her, I could see cans and bottles of alcohol stacked floor to ceiling. I bought six cans of Chang, three cans of Leo and returned triumphantly to the ground. Absolutely brilliant. This is why I love Thailand. 

Wednesday 15th March

Championship: Nakhon Pathom Utd 1-0 Suphanburi (TV)

Championship: Rayong 2-1 Customs (TV)

I had hoped to get along to Samut Prakan City this evening, but circumstances conspired against me. So I ended up watching two Championship matches on the tele. In all honesty, there’s nothing much to talk about from either. There was lots of play acting and lots of time wasting. And, to be honest, I’m pretty glad I don’t have to watch this kind of stuff every week.

Saturday 18th March

TPL: Buriram Utd 4-1 Khon Kaen Utd (TV)

Watched Buriram United beat Khon Kaen Utd 4-1. A bit of controversy early on when Buriram were awarded a very questionable penalty. Then had to retake it (they missed the first effort) because the keeper had moved. No more than any keeper does, but… However, in the end, the home team ran out comfortable winners so it didn’t really matter. 

Sunday 19th March

Princess Srindhorn Stadium, IPE Stadium, Chonburi Municipal Stadium & Chonburi Stadium

TPL: Chonburi 1-2 Ratchaburi (Chonburi Stadium)

I set off early in order to visit all of the stadiums that Chonburi have used during their time in the Thai league. My first stop was at Princess Srindhorn, a short ride from home. I spent many happy Sunday afternoons here during the Pro League years. It felt good to be back. I had a look round, took a few photographs and then had a hairy drive up to the IPE, in the north of the city. The stadium is looking the worse for wear. Again, I got inside, took a few photographs, sat in my old seat and then made the short hop to Chonburi Municipal Stadium. Oh my! It is a real mess. It's so sad to see it in such a rundown state. When I think of all the happy memories and glorious nights we had there, it breaks my heart. Now it's pretty much derelict and neglected. 

After leaving, I paid a quick visit to the Chonburi Blue Wave Arena, which I hadn't realised was where we used to have the fan club football games. It's been tarted up a bit since, but that's where we used to play back in the day. My final stop was Chonburi Stadium for the match against Ratchaburi. It ended in another defeat. It’s official, I am the jinx! I was in Thailand for six matches. We won none, drew one and lost five, so I think everybody is quite happy that I'm going back to England. As for the game itself, there’s not much to report. We were really poor in the first half and two nil down at half time. We played a bit better in the second and really should have drawn. Caught up with Matt, Jon, Jake, Daniel and David. Said my goodbyes. After the match, I had a few drinks with Claire and Tim and Val, and had a solitary final Chang in the sala. Then I made my weary way home.  Felt sad to leave, but I’ll be back again soon.

Chonburi 0-2 Muang Thong Utd - Match Report: 2013

TPL

Chonburi 0-2 Muang Thong Utd

Chonburi Stadium

Wednesday 27th March, 2013

Attendance: 8,656

Gate Receipts : B1,031,040

Merchandise : B300,000

Match Report

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM LAST NIGHT

1. The list of items banned from entering the stadium includes crutches.

Yes indeedy, folks. Incredible as it may seem, one young man was forbidden to take his crutch inside the ground last night. He was clearly limping and needed the aforementioned support in order to walk. However, he was told to leave it propped up next to the entrance. Whatever next?

2. Ian Rankin books are ideal for smuggling sandwiches into the ground.

I'm probably shooting myself in the foot here (I wonder if that's what happened to the chap with the crutch?) but I managed to conceal a sandwich inside my copy of Ian Rankin's "Standing in Another Man's Grave" and get it into the ground. Success!! It was ham, egg and cheese, in case you're wondering. And it tasted delicious.

3. The interviewees on Channel 7 are told what to say in advance.

A friend of mine was asked to give a pre match score prediction by a Channel 7 reporter. However, he was encouraged to "buff it up" and say that Chonburi would win by some outllandish score like 7-0. When the cameras were rolling, he erred on the side of caution and said we'd triumph by five goals to four. The TV chaps didn't seem to mind this outrageous case of ad-libbing and went away happy.

4. Most Muang Thong United fans don't have jobs.

I arrived at the stadium just after 4.00pm (for a 7.00pm kick off) and the place was crawling with visiting fans. It's at least a two hour drive from Nonthaburi to our place so they would have needed to set off at 2.00pm, at the latest. They've either got very understanding employers. Or they're all on the rock 'n' roll. Could be students, I suppose.

5. The XL version of the new away shirt fits the "larger" gentleman quite comfortably.

Another friend of mine (how popular am I!) bought an XL away shirt. I scoffed because I didn't think he'd be able to squeeze his rather considerable frame into it. However, he managed it, with room to spare. This was even more remarkable as he was still wearing his original choice of shirt underneath!

FIVE THINGS WE KNEW ALREADY BUT ARE NOW EVEN MORE CONVINCED ABOUT 

1. The squad we have now clearly isn't good enough.

We looked very poor (again!) last night. It's pretty obvious that the whole thing needs a shake up and we should have a big clearout. I won't mention any names but I think there are quite a few players who would probably benefit from being moved on. It was also give us the opportunity to bring in some fresh faces and liven things up a bit. The campaign for change starts here.

2. Arthit is not - I repeat, not - a right back.

When Noppanon was taken off around the thirty minute mark to make way for a striker, Pipob, we needed to someone to slot in at right back. Now, let's think, who is the least likely person to fill this role? A left winger who doesn't look fit, of course! It's this kind of decision making from the dugout that leads me to believe that they don't really know what they're doing.

3. The natives are revolting.

There have been rumblings of discontent for a while now but last night they burst out screaming into the open. I don't think I've ever heard so many dissatisfied fans on their way out of a Chonburi match before. A lot of long term fans were particularly critical and are no longer afraid to show it. One female fan spent about ten minutes talking with the club's general manager and telling him exactly what she thought. Takes guts, that.

4. We are too soft.

"Get stuck in!" for crying out loud. We are far too nice and let teams walk all over us. I'd love to have a couple of true hard men in our team. When we did start putting it about - Chonlatit and Boskovic - it was too late. We should have shown that sort of zeal from the beginning.

5. We'll win nothing this season.

Nuff said! 

Chonburi FC Season Ticket 2022-2023

 

New! Five Asides - Issue #13: 2023

Here's issue 13 of our popular 'Five Asides' feature. Take five Thai football fans, share five contentious opinions with them and let them all have their say. Nice and simple. Our panel today is Pablo (Buriram Utd), Kick Off Corner (Muang Thong Utd), James (Port), Gian (Muang Thong Utd) and Ta (Neutral). 

1. It should be compulsory for every Thai club to have a giant mascot. 

We need to bring these guys back now!

Pablo: I'm not sure about compulsory, yet it should be encouraged and maybe even some incentives provided. Annual competition with prizes perhaps for best mascots in the league, judged by a panel of fans representatives? As for the costumes, they could be based upon iconic animals, plants, superheroes, cartoon or even fantasy characters.

Kick Off Corner: I don’t think that this should be a compulsion. I recon the clubs should be more focused on how they can fill their stadiums first. Also having a mascot feels super American.

James: A lot of the ex-players that I talk to all have funny stories about their team mascot, and so on, but it’s something that isn’t at the top of my ‘list’ of things I’d like to see brought back! That said, can it please be mandatory for every club to have a cartoonist, much like the one Chonburi has employed? One of the best things to see every matchday.

Gian: Sure, why not. Though I shudder to think of what some of these clubs may end up producing as mascots… 

Ta: Ew, please don’t bring them back. The one that still creeps me out til today was the man dressed up in a blue cape with lightning thunder across the chest at Buriram. Although Buriram’s gone a bit ‘softer’ with their approach and introduced ‘Thunder’ a cute-looking cartoon elephant mascot back in 2018, thank goodness they got rid of that cape man. Looking at the bigger picture, I don’t think the mascot culture fits the Thai League or Thailand. I cringe at a lot of them and don’t see what’s the point. I understand it’s good to have mascots for the pre-game selfies with children and whatnot, but I just don’t think people here in Thailand are as into the mascot culture compared to other parts of the world ie. the USA. So, nah, no mascots for me. 

2. Thai football is being held back by constant time-wasting tactics 

- such as players feigning injury, endless huddles etc

Pablo: Ah time wasting sure is a huge blight on the game and not just in Thailand. Seems like they've adopted the West Asian football culture tactics of slowing the game up as much as possible to frustrate opponents and stifle their flow. Needs match officials to take a much tougher line and get the yellow cards out from early in games to curb such pathetic behaviour.

Kick Off Corner: As much as it’s frustrating to see the players go for these time wasting tactics, it’s part of modern football. We see it at the highest level. In my opinion the refs should add the time wasted in the end and hopefully this will stop the players feigning injury / time wasting.

James: Yes and no. This happens everywhere in the world, and it’s up to head coaches to be smart enough to work around it, and for match officials to be strong enough to dish out yellow cards and so on. The biggest loser out of it all is the fans, as well as the broadcaster. And if you’re upsetting your broadcaster… you’re hampering any future TV deal and its value.

Gian: Absolutely. The time-wasting tactics are probably one of the biggest turn-offs for fans who attend matches, and are a very bad look for the league. Referees should punish players for excessive time wasting where apparent, and stretchers should not be brought on unless requested by both the referee and medical team. Seeing players get stretchered off only to sprint back onto the pitch minutes later is a farce. 

Ta: YES. Thai football and time-wasting tactics go hand in hand, if you don’t believe me, switch on any game with a 1-0 scoreline and 10 minutes to go. The fake injuries are what get under my skin the most. Couple that with referees failing to make no-brainer decisions and it just kills the game. If the strict added time rule implemented in the recent FIFA World Cup 2022 were used in the Thai League, we’d see 15-20 minutes of stoppage time in most games.

 

3. All Thai clubs should have to employ a throw in coach to teach the players how to take a legitimate throw in. 

Pablo: That's a novel idea for a back to basics tool to 'cure' repeat offenders! As for enforcing such laws of the game, well the standard of officiating in Thailand leaves a lot to be desired in terms of consistency. Perhaps refs and assistant refs need to have their match fees progressively reduced for each missed foul throw!

Kick Off Corner: I don’t think so spending resources on hiring a throw in coach benefits the club in anyway. I don’t see it as a problem nor do I think that it’s game changing in anyway. 

James: It’s quite comical how bad it’s gotten with such a simple thing these days. To be unable to take a LEGAL throw-in, as a professional footballer is simply embarrassing. Much like many things within the league, if there was a crackdown on it, it’d be short-lived, and things would return to “normal” not long after.

Gian: Honestly, maybe I’m not ‘purist’ enough but I don’t see this as a huge issue. Plus, Thai team benches are overstaffed as it is, adding someone else to teach people how to throw a ball seems a bit excessive. If refs get serious and punish foul throws, players will adapt. 

Ta: I’m a bit more lenient regarding foul throws, yes it’s in the rule book that these can be called against, but there are bigger fish to fry in Thai football. Many clubs don’t even have a proper sports nutritionist/physio yet, I’d say we punish teams without these ‘essential’ coaching personnel instead. 

4. The mid-season break should be scrapped.

Pablo: The stop start nature of the Thai league never ceases to amaze. Administrators seem to almost revel in frustrating coaches, players and fans alike. This season's main cup competition also suffered from poor scheduling including overly long breaks between rounds. Yet more fine examples of Thai administrators defying common sense and logic.

Kick Off Corner: Totally disagree. Although I do think it should be shortened.

James: Strong disagree on this one. The mid-season break is a great idea, yet it’s poorly executed by many clubs. Not only does it give a chance for players to get a bit of rest, it also gives new players (foreign or local) time to bed in and adjust to their new surroundings. The fact that many clubs use the time off to play an abundance of meaningless friendlies, and not give the players much time to rest… that’s on them.

Scrapping the break wouldn’t see any change in terms of the drop-off in performance that we see from many clubs in the second-half of the season, with many adjusting their plans/budgets once they’re confident of their survival in the league, or their ability to mount a serious charge for continental football. This happens at all levels (T1, T2, and T3) and it’ll never change in my opinion.

Gian: I think we should keep the mid-season break, though it should probably be shorter on non-AFF Cup years. Players deserve a break over the new year period to spend with their friends and family. Also, I suspect that stadium attendances will also be lower during this period, so it would make more financial sense to have this break as well. It is often argued that forcing players to work over new years is justified for top level competitions like the Premier League because the players are paid extremely well - and even that argument is dubious. In divisions like T1, or even more so T2 and T3, where the players aren’t as lavishly paid, I don’t think its fair to make them play during new years; especially if they will be playing in front of diminished crowds anyways, and national team players only get to have this break every other year. 

Ta: The Thai League 1 2022/23’s mid-season break was 55 days. It’s ridiculously long if you’re looking from just a league’s perspective, but when you put the cup games and the AFF Cup 2022 into the equation, it explains the lengthy hiatus. For me, I’d suggest that in the non-AFF Cup years, ie. the coming 2023/24 season, they scrap the mid-season break and the games should just roll over from matchday 15 to 16. 

5. Thai clubs should do a lot more to engage with their local communities and encourage people to support their hometown team.

Pablo: Engagement with local communities should be based on tapping into tribalism, existing sense of identity, culture and inclusion. Rather than merely seeing potential fans as metrics and marketing of products, needs to take empowering bottom up approach by not making assumptions and enabling local champions as volunteers to help galvanise support and participation. Can't just manufacture authentic fandom and commitment. So Mr or Madam Chairpersons/Presidents/Owners, are you prepared to listen, learn and be open to what your fans and communities really want and need?

Kick Off Corner: Yes totally. The clubs should also partner up with the schools in their locality and offer free tickets to students who are passionate about the sport. This does not only inspire the kids to pursue football but it also helps fill up the “empty stadiums” to a certain extent.

James: Ding, ding, ding! WE HAVE A WINNER! To me, this is a massive failing of many clubs in every tier of the pyramid. I can understand a T3 side struggling to get their brand out there, but how a T1 or T2 side is unable to do so… what are they thinking? Especially the teams outside of Bangkok, that might only be the major side within their province! Clubs should be out in schools, working in conjunction with local charities, and so on. Show the local community you care, and then maybe… they’ll reciprocate! It’s something firmly in the ‘too hard’ basket at the moment, and to me… it’s a missed opportunity.

Gian: Absolutely! I believe that getting more people in stadiums and more local interest in the league should be the number one priority. So many clubs do a really poor job of marketing to the local community. The potential gains these clubs could experience from hiring marketing professionals are huge. With more people attending games, clubs will be less reliant on wealthy owners and sponsorship deals, and could make the league far more financially stable as a whole.

Ta: I couldn’t agree more with this statement. With stadium attendance numbers going down and online fan engagement stats plummeting, it’s time clubs take the initiative to interact with their local community and go beyond just the football side of things. There are endless possibilities for clubs in Bangkok and rural provinces to create a ‘hometown’ atmosphere that has been fading away. We need more clubs following Nong Bua and what they’ve done with their local community throughout the season.

New! Ground Hop Day: 2023

Prior to the home match against Ratchaburi on Sunday 19th March, 2023, I visited all the former league grounds used by Chonburi FC. It was an emotional, but very enjoyable day, packed full of memories. Here is the report from my trip, plus a few details and photos.

Left home: 12:26hrs

Arrived at Princess Srindhorn Stadium: 12:30hrs

Distance travelled: 1.1kms

Departed Princess Srindhorn: 13:01hrs

Arrived at IPE Stadium: 13:48hrs

Distance travelled: 39kms

Departed IPE Stadium: 14:06hrs

Arrived at Chonburi Municipal Stadium: 14:18hrs

Distance Travelled: 7kms

Departed Chonburi Municipal Stadium: 14:53hrs

Arrived at Chonburi Stadium: 15:03hrs

Distance travelled: 5.2kms

Departed Chonburi Stadium: 20:55hrs

Arrived home: 21:56hrs

Distance travelled: 25.3kms

Total travelling time: 2hrs 24mins

Total distance travelled: 77.6kms

1. Princess Srindhorn Stadium

Home: 2004-2005 & 2008-2009

Capacity: 8,000 (now reduced)

Location: Surasak, SriRacha

The Stadium

Outside the main entrance

My seat

The view from my seat

Most Memorable Match

Pro League

Chonburi 8-1 Phang Nga

19th June, 2005

The Sharks clinched promotion to the new look top flight, with an 8-1 thrashing of second from bottom, Phang Nga, on a memorable afternoon at Princess Srindhorn. We didn't know it at the time, but this result - and achievement - was to usher in a whole new era, not just for the club, but for Thai football in general.

2. IPE Stadium

Home: 2010

Capacity: 12,000

Location: Nong Mai Daeng, Chonburi

The Stadium

Outside the main entrance

My seat

The view from my seat

Most Memorable Match

TPL

Chonburi 2-2 PEA

Sunday 17th Oct, 2010

It's hard to imagine two more diametrically opposite footballing entities than Chonburi and Buriram PEA. On the one hand you have Chonburi FC, a club with its roots firmly in the local community. A club that grew out of a local college - which continues to produce players for the first team squad on a regular basis - and one that boasts a passionate local fan base, which has grown organically along with the football team. A club that is more like a family than anything else, where people come together for a common cause and are made to feel a part of something special. Where friendships have been made and have continued to flourish. Where you can come and have a laugh and a few drinks with your mates.

There are no barriers between players, management and fans, and a strong bond, that has developed over the years, exists between everyone connected to the club. The fact that a lot of the players and staff have links that stretch back a number of years means that there is a sense of loyalty and brotherhood. A sense of belonging. And, whatever happens out on the pitch, we, as fans, know that whoever pulls on the blue striped shirts will do the best they possibly can. In return, the players know that the fans will get behind the team unconditionally. It's something that I've always been proud to be a part of.

Then you have "Buriram" PEA FC. A club that has no history and tradition in the city they now call home. In fact the owners recently denied that PEA have a past at all. Quoted in an article on www.thaileagueonline they said that their "first" season was a great success. "The original aim was to be in the top 4, but now we're looking at being runners-up, and we're confident we can do it. Next season's aim is to win the Thai Premier League title for the first time."

"First season"? "Win the Thai Premier League for the first time"?

Obviously the first thirty nine years of the club's existence and the TPL title win in 2008 have been overlooked in this Orwellian Year Zero approach. As has the fact that they were keen to promote themselves, rather vigorously, as PEA Ayutthya, and pledge their undying loyalty to that particular city and its people as recently as last season, until someone waved a big fat cheque under their noses.

Coming from England, I find this franchise football business very alien and a little unsavoury. Buriram already had a team when PEA moved in. Why didn't the locals, and the money men, get behind them in the same way the people in our province got behind our club when we were bobbing around in the Thai football basement? Just think how proud they would have felt on the day that Buriram FC won promotion to the TPL. Or how satisfying it would be to see a full stadium on a regular basis after years of playing in front of a few hundred die-hards. No. It's far easier just to buy a place at the top table without having to actually put in any of the hard work involved to reach the summit.

There has been a lot of talk elsewhere about the "Buriram" PEA fans. And most of it has been quite cynical. There are rumours that the supporters are paid to attend and are also offered other "incentives". I don't really wish to get into that discussion but I do find their method of support quite odd. In the first place, 95% of them are dressed exactly the same. And the orchestrated chanting and synchronised movements are most bizarre, to say the least. I know that this is not unique to this group of people, and they genuinely seem to be enjoying themselves, but it's not really my cup of tea. I prefer spontaneity and genuine heartfelt reaction to what is happening during a match. And I've never really liked being told what to do.

I had a friend with me at the game on Sunday. He was transfixed by the goings-on in the away end. Afterwards he concluded that what he saw was something of a cross between Black Lace's annoying 1980's hit "Agadoo" and the "He's not the Messiah" scene from Monty Python's Life of Brian, when Brian tells the crowd, "You are all individuals." And their response is a collective cry of, "Yes, we are all individuals."

So, there you have it. Two very different clubs and two very different approaches. I know which one I prefer. But you've probably worked that one out already.

3. Chonburi Municipal Stadium

Home: 2002-2003 & 2006-2008

Location: Bang Pla Soi, Chonburi

Capacity: Unknown

The Stadium

Outside the main entrance

My seat

The view from my seat

Most Memorable Match

TPL

Chonburi 3-2 Krung Thai Bank

21st November, 2007

Going into the penultimate game of the season, at home against our nearest rivals KTB, a win would give us the championship.

It was to be a remarkable occasion. Once again ESPN/Star Sports had despatched a film crew to record the event for prosperity and they weren't to be disappointed. Over 10,000 people, double our regular attendance, had somehow squeezed into the Chonburi Municipal Stadium and the atmosphere was (oh, go on) electric. The match certainly lived up to its billing. In spite of missing a penalty Chonburi had surged into a two goal lead by the break and were looking good to make history as the first provincial club to win Thai football's biggest domestic honour. Our chances were further increased when the visitors were reduced to ten men. It was within our grasp now. Of course, it wasn't to be that simple. Feeling that they had nothing to lose, KTB threw everybody forward in an effort to salvage something from the game and keep alive their own faint hopes of lifting the trophy.

This new bold attacking policy paid off, and soon not only were they level but they were looking the likelier side to go on and win it. With my nerves, and those of 10,000 other Chonburians, in tatters the coolest man in the ground, Pipob On-Mo took it upon himself to put us all out of our misery by firing home a late winner. The crowd erupted and the celebrations began in earnest with firecrackers and flares being let off in every part of the ground. The final whistle prompted a good natured pitch invasion and we had done it. A fitting end to what had been a wonderful season.

4. Chonburi Stadium

Home: 2011-present

Location: Samet, Chonburi

Capacity: 8,680

The Stadium

Outside the main entrance

My seat (top tier)

The view from my seat

At the end of a long, emotional and enjoyable day

Most Memorable Match

LEAGUE CUP

Semi Final 2nd Leg

Chonburi 3-2 PEA 

Saturday 1st October, 2011 

In a stormy* match, PEA stunned the hosts after just three minutes when Suchao Nutnum headed the ball home for an early lead.

PEA were leading 2-0 on aggregate as Chonburi needed three unanswered goals to progress.

Guston Silva made it 1-1 on the night in the 25th minute but 60 seconds later, Chonburi were reduced to 10 men when Kenneth Akpueze was dismissed as the referee thought he elbowed Frank Acheampong but replays showed Akpueze did nothing and that Acheampong had feigned injury.

But Chonburi fought spiritedly and Pipob On-mo gave the Sharks a 2-1 lead to then make it 2-2 on aggregate.

In the second half, several players of both sides were booked before, in the 70th minute, Franck Ohandza scored an equaliser for PEA. Pipob made it 3-2 and Ney Fabiano nearly became the hero for the Sharks when his header was saved by goalkeeper Sivaruk Terdsungnern.

Tor Chittinand

The Aftermath

*"Stormy" doesn't really cover it. It was a super-charged occasion and the sense of injustice - caused by some very debatable refereeing decisions - spilled over onto the car park following the match. Home fans surrounded the PEA bus and the visitors were locked inside their dressing room for well over ninety minutes after the final whistle. 

Emotions were running high and, in the absence of any real security, only the actions of some of the more level headed Chonburi supporters prevented a major incident. However, as there'd also been similar scenes at the league meeting between the two sides a few weeks earlier, we received a heavy fine and had to play our next two home games at neutral venues - the first with none of our fans allowed to attend.

On the pitch, this was one of the best performances I've ever seen from a Chonburi team. The fact it was against all the odds, and we came so close to pulling off an unlikely victory, made it even more impressive. Whilst I'm not condoning what happened outside the stadium, there's no doubt that these events contributed to a remarkable and memorable evening. It's unlikely we'll ever see anything quite like this again. Which is a huge shame.

Chonburi FC AFC Champions League Tracksuit: 2008

 

New! Bangkok Utd v Chonburi - Ticket: 2023

 TPL

Bangkok Utd 3-1 Chonburi

Thammasat Stadium

Sunday 12th March, 2023

Worachit Kanitsribampen - Football Siam (Star Junior) Article: 2011

 

Ratchaburi FC - League Division 2 (3rd Tier) Champions: 2011

 

New! Chonburi FC Aggregate Scores 2022/23

 

Opponents	1st Leg	2nd Leg	Aggregate	Pts
Police Tero	2-0 (A)	5-3 (H)	7-3	6
Buriram Utd	2-3 (H)	0-2 (A)	2-5	0
BG Pathum Utd	1-0 (H)	0-1 (A)	1-1	3
Lamphun Warrior	2-0 (A)	2-0 (A)	4-0	6
Prachuap	1-0 (H)	1-3 (A)	2-3	3
Muang Thong Utd	5-1 (A)	0-1 (H)	5-2	3
Nongbua Pichaya	2-1 (H)	1-2 (A)	3-3	3
Khon Kaen Utd	3-0 (A)	2-2 (H)	5-2	4
Bangkok Utd	0-1 (H)	1-3 (A)	1-4	0
Ratchaburi	1-1 (A)	1-2 (H)	2-3	1
Sukhothai	1-1 (H)	0-1 (A)	1-2	1
Chiang Rai Utd	1-1 (A)	1-3 (H)	2-4	1
Lampang	4-0 (H)	3-1 (A)	7-1	6
Nakhon R’sima	0-1 (A)	2-1 (H)	2-2	3
Port	1-0 (H)	1-3 (A)	2-3	3
Total	26-10	20-28	46-38	43

 *Chonburi’s score first