I made my way to the ground on the MRT and bumped into the ever genial Geoff, who filled me in on the latest Port news on the way to the ground. On arrival there were rumours that the Port's ticket allocation had sold-out. Just as I was contemplating turning my shirt inside out and getting a ticket for the away end, Dominic came to the rescue and offered me a spare - which was greatly accepted. Ticket secured, the next mission was to locate a can of Chang - much to the chagrin of the Sandpit crew who, inexplicably, prefer Leo. Chang sorted and dispatched, it was time to join the crowd in Zone B. One very noticeable aspect of PAT Stadium these days is our ever-growing foreign fanbase. I'm proud to say that being a farang Port fan is the only trend I've ever been at the forefront of. Over on the far side of the ground Chonburi had filled their away section for what, I believe, is their closest away game of the season.
Shortly after finding a decent spec behind the goal with Tom, Dom, Toby and Jim, we were shrouded in a massive Port flag that covered the whole stand and was over our heads during the Royal Anthem. It was suggested that if it stayed there we wouldn't have to watch the match. Earlier in the season I might have been up for that but Port have hit a decent vein of form in recent weeks and went into the game with 5 wins from the last 6 and knowing that a victory would secure third spot in the table. Chonburi, too, have shown recent signs of improvement following Adul Lahsoh's interim appointment.
Writing this from memory I can't recall much action during the first 30 minutes. I think there was a fruitless VAR check for a Chonburi penalty at one point. The game really came to life on 33 minutes when Pakorn's jinking run and cross was slotted home by Bordin Phala to put Port 1-0 up. The lead lasted just five minutes before Chonburi capitalised on a comedy of defensive errors and Yoo Byung-Soo, 'The Ronaldo of Wolmido' (check his Wikipedia page), showed the aerial prowess of the Portuguese Ronaldo to head the ball into the empty net from about 20-yards. With the stadium rapidly emptying in the rush for much-needed half-time refreshments, Port regained the lead. Pakorn's free-kick was flicked-on by ex-Chonburi midfielder Worachit and Danilo could only divert the ball into his own net. The home fans joy was tempered slightly when we realised VAR was back in the action but the goal stood and the half-time whistle followed shortly after.
Normally at PAT I'd have my usual half-time Chang but it was so hot that I opted for a pint of iced water instead. Good call. I had a bit of trouble getting back into Zone B because the stamp on my arm had worn off but I was back in position for the start of the second-half, with Port attacking our end. The Sharks always carried a threat on the break with the pace of Amadou and the Brazilian duo of Danilo and Dennis Murillo, complete with his blue rinse, but the hosts looked the more likely team to add to their tally. The breakthrough came in the 71st minute after Bordin had hit the woodwork from close-range and Negueba's follow-up shot took a wicked deflection, wrong-footing former Port loanee Chanin Sae-ear in the Chonburi goal. Both sides understandably tired in the last 15 minutes as the game drew to a uneventful conclusion. Port's 3-1 win secured a place in the Asian Champions League qualifiers whilst Chonburi still have the possibility of finishing in fifth place - if they beat BG Pathum United and Chiangrai United fail to beat Police Tero.
The final act of the night saw the home fans bid a fond farewell to Sergio Suarez and David Rochela - two excellent servants to the club. Madame Pang, with her nails-on-chalkboard voice, said a few words and presented the departing Spaniards with a bunch of flowers each and some bags of expensive-looking swag.
It was great to be back at Port after a 3-month hiatus but with the end of season almost upon us another PAT Stadium-less spell awaits...Time to dust off my Port Authority Futsal shirts and head down to the Warehouse Stadium aka 'The Sweatbox'. It will be a walk in the park after last night's sweltering experience.
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