TPL Chonburi 0-0 Osotspa (30/6/13) - Photos: 2013

 TPL

Chonburi 0-0 Osotspa

Chonburi Stadium

Attendance: 5,774

Sunday 30th June, 2013

Chonburi 1-4 Buriram Utd (29/5/13) - Match Report: 2013

TPL

Chonburi 1-4 Buriram Utd

Chonburi Stadium

Attendance: 8,450

Gate Receipts : B999,700

Merchandise : B260,000

Wednesday 29th May, 2013

Match Report

What a shambles! There's really no other way to describe it. We were outfought, outplayed, outmanoeuvred, outthought, outmuscled and, yes, outclassed last night. I can take being beaten by a better side, which Buriram United certainly are, but I can't accept such a lily-livered performance from a team that thinks it can genuinely mount a title challenge. Anyone with no prior knowledge of the TPL would think we were in the bottom three and not the top three on the strength of this performance. Astonishingly, there was no passion and no spirit from our lot (Pipob aside, in patches) and that is totally unacceptable. They just didn't look interested and I got the feeling that they thought they were beaten before they even stepped out onto the pitch. You could see it in the players' body language.

The two coaches must also take their share of the blame for what we had to endure. What were our tactics? Did we even have any? Look frightened and don't get too close to anyone in a white shirt? Well, that's what it looked like to me. I'm still hoarse this evening from shouting for us to get stuck in. Even when we had possession, we were constantly hitting hopeful (hopeless?) long balls. Did we ever string together more than three or four passes? I can't remember us doing so. 

The team selection too was questionable. There were recalls for Chonlatit and dos Santos, neither of whom had featured in weeks. Why? Why would you bring two defenders who are lacking in match fitness (and play one of them out of position) to face the most potent attack in the country, in the biggest game of the season? The Buriram forwards must have thought that all their birthdays and other present giving celebrations had come at once.

Also, it's in games like this that you realise why I'm not such a big fan of Kushida. He goes missing, when he should be asserting himself and proving to us non believers that he is the player certain sections of the Thai media like to tell us he is. I can't remember one positive contribution he made in this match. Not one. And that, for me, speaks volumes.

Even the usually hard working Adul was anonymous last night. I've never seen him hide like that before. You can usually rely on him to put himself about but yesterday, he looked like he'd rather be sitting at home with his feet up watching the tele. In fact, that's where I wish I'd been.

And as for Thiago. Well, we got all of the bad and none of the good. He is a prodigious talent but he is one of the most frustrating footballers I've ever seen. I know I'm repeating myself but I wish someone would take him to one side and tell him a few home truths. He might not like it but he'd be a much better player for it. I can think of a couple of TPL coaches who wouldn't tolerate his nonsense, no matter how many goals he was scoring.

So, where do we go from here? "To Chiang Rai", I hear you cry. And you are right. Therefore, one consolation is that we do have the chance to quickly regain some pride, against of the weaker teams in what - top two aside - is proving to be a very poor league. Anything less than three points on Sunday is not an option. There did appear to be a lot of dissatisfied fans inside, and outside, the stadium yesterday. And many of them have finally realised we are not the force we were a couple of years ago. Lose a couple more games and show the complete lack of effort that went into this performance and I can see our gates, and our on field fortunes plummeting over the rest of the campaign.

Suphanburi 0-1 Chonburi (28/4/13) - Match Report: 2013

TPL

Suphanburi 0-1 Chonburi

Suphanburi Municipal Stadium

Attendance: 16,212

Gate Receipts : B1,204,550

Merchandise : B824,220

Sunday 28th April, 2013

Match Report

PRE MATCH

Just under an hour to kick off. I'll be Tweeting live updates throughout the match.

FIRST HALF

Chonburi starting XI: Sinthaweechai, Jetsadakorn, Suttinun, Diakite, Nattapong, Noppanon, Kushida, Adul, Anucha, Pipob, Thiago

The teams are coming out. Chonburi are in all red and Suphanburi are in all black. I'm not really a fan of that white bit at the bottom of our away shirts. Is it really necessary?

It looks like a decent crowd. Slightly(!!) more than the 500 or so for the last Suphanburi v Chonburi match in the TPL. (September 19th, 2007)

I had a bit of a panic then. I couldn't find the bottle opener!! But it’s turned up now. So, the Changs are open and we're ready for the off.

Chonburi are lining up ready to start. The Suphanburi players are still (STILL!!) huddling. The referee doesn't seem to care. Ho hum.

The match kicks off.

We're playing in red today. So why is our keeper also wearing red? Well it's certainly a shade of red. I don't really think it should be allowed. Strange. Whatever happened to green jerseys for goalkeepers?

10mins: Suphanburi 0-0 Chonburi

15mins: Indirect free kick to Chonburi in the opposing penalty area, after the Suphanburi goalkeeper inexplicably picks up a back pass.

Goal! Oh, no. Wait. What a shocking decision!! Chonburi score but the referee makes us take the kick again because some of the defenders encroached. Scandalous!! We’re supposed to get the advantage. And, as if to try and justify himself, the official is now waving his yellow card in the general direction of the home team’s players. Oh, that makes it alright then. Berk.

We miss (of course) from the retake. Flippin' shocking decision. Disgraceful. Why wasn’t that one retaken? The defenders did exactly the same thing as they did the first time. Double berk.

20mins: I’m still fuming about the disallowed goal. One of the worst decisions I've seen in nearly 50 years of watching football. But now we've got a free kick about 25 yards out and a chance to take the lead.

Wasted.

25mins: Suphanburi 0-0 Chonburi

30mins: Still 0-0. Our passing has been woeful again. What do they do in training all week?

They've just shown another replay of the "goal". This referee should be ashamed of himself.

39mins: Natthapong scores. It’s a screamer from 25 yards out. I've just scared the cats by jumping up off the sofa.

Disallow that one, you twit!

Into two minutes of time added on at the end of the 1st half.

Half Time: The Referee 0-1 Chonburi

Not a great first half performance by any means, but we're one up and have shown a lot of character after having a perfectly good goal disallowed. Let's hope we can keep it up in the second period.

HALF TIME

A summary of the disallowed goal:

We had an indirect free kick on the six yard line. The referee blew his whistle and Pipob rolled the ball to Thiago, who scored. The referee disallowed it because the defenders had encroached on the kick. Absolutely rotten decision. And totally unacceptable All officials make mistakes - I can accept that - but this wasn't a mistake. He shouldn't be allowed to referee again this season. He blew for the infringement after the ball is in the net. An absolute disgrace. Wait until you see the incident. It's unbelievable.

Anyway, upwards and onwards.

SECOND HALF

The players are back out for 2nd half. Once again Chonburi are ready to start and Suphanburi are still huddling.

I'm not sure but I think I saw the referee join in with their huddle ;-)

They've just shown the replay of the "goal" again about ten times and there is at least a two second delay before he blows the whistle to disallow the goal after we score. Our players are already celebrating. The goal should stand. It's as simple as that. He’s messed up.

55mins: Suphanburi 0-1 Chonburi

We used to be such a good passing team. What's happened? We’re relying too much on the (unsuccessful) long ball tactics these days. It's simply not good enough. It's like watching a school team at times. The kind that has a quickish lad up front and the teacher tells all his players to boot it upfield for him to chase at every opportunity.

Sorry for moaning so much. At least we're winning :-)

Prat Samakrat comes on as a substitute for Suphanburi. Therefore, the referee is now no longer the only pratt on the pitch. B'dum. Tsschh!

At this point Danny Baker Tweeted : Look at Reading. Can footballers stop doing that stupid team huddle before games. What's it for? Newcastle did one before yesterdays match! I replied : You should try watching Thai football, Danny. They go into huddle overdrive here!

64mins: Pipob OFF. Samuel ON. Good move. I still don't understand why Sammy isn't starting games. I wonder if that'll change when we play his old team on Sunday?

72mins: A good save by Sinthaweechai to deny Suphanburi an equaliser. He had to dive low to his left to tip a long range shot onto the post. Corner to Suphanburi.

I can still see Suphanburi scoring in this game. The equaliser to come from a late penalty perhaps? Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Say no more.

74mins: Thiago has a great chance to put us 2-0 up. But he shoots tamely at the keeper when he really should have scored. A real waste.

77mins: Noppanon shoots into the side netting from a difficult angle  after a good run. Unlucky.

78mins: Chonlatit ON. Noppanon OFF. It looks like we're settling for what we already have. Fair enough.

80mins: Suphanburi 0-1 Chonburi

84mins: Still 1-0 up. Therdsak is warming up.

86mins: Therdsak ON. Jetsadakorn OFF

89mins: We're defending a free kick in a dangerous area near the end of the match and Thiago goes off on a stretcher, after lying down with an “injury”. He can be annoying at times. And frustrating at others. There’s clearly nothing wrong with him and he’s left us a man short at the back when we need as many bodies in the box as possible. What is he hoping to achieve?

Thankfully, Suphanburi make a mess of the free kick. Thiago runs straight back. It's a bloomin' miracle!

Into 5 minutes of injury time. FIVE MINUTES!? Where has that come from?

Another good save by Sinthaweechai. Similar to the previous one and again the result is a corner for Suphanburi.

The corner comes to nothing. Phew!

93mins: Thiago with another great chace to wrap it up on the breakaway. However, he blazes over the bar. Maybe if he concentrated more on his football than his histrionics, he'd be the player he thinks he is and we know he could be. Someone needs to have a word with him. Any takers?

We’re in the 96th minute and Chonburi have a corner. Surely that's it?

IT IS!!

Full Time: Suphanburi 0-1 Chonburi (Natthapong Samana)

Again, not a great performance but we defended resolutely and deserved to win. My Man of the Match is Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool. He made a couple of great saves and looked steady and commanding as we faced a second half onslaught. His best game in ages.

Final note. The crowd tonight was 16,212. The last time I was there for a Suphanburi v Chonburi TPL match (in September, 2007) the crowd was about 500!

Chonburi 5-1 Pattaya Utd (6/4/13) - Match Report: 2013

TPL

Chonburi 5-1 Pattaya Utd

Chonburi Stadium

Attendance: 4,317

Gate Receipts : B613,650

Merchandise : B127,080

Saturday 6th April, 2013

Match Report

Move over, Rover, and let Gbenga take over. There's a new guitar in town and his name is Gbenga Samuel Ajayi (according to the matchday programme) or Samuel Gbenga Ajayi (according to Wikipedia). But whatever he's called, he's already established himself as a firm favourite with the Chonburi faithful. His performance yesterday transformed a dull, lifeless encounter between two poor teams into something approaching entertainment. After replacing the luckless Noppanon just after the half hour mark, the Nigerian took the game by the scruff of the neck and put on a display that we could actually get excited about.

Prior to his arrival, Chonburi had looked lacklustre and short of ideas but this all changed after the winger was introduced. It was so refreshing to see someone in a blue shirt who was prepared to run at people and look as if he was enjoying himself. Time and time again he tormented the Pattaya defence with his skill, pace and quick thinking. He also sparked his team mates into life by giving them  a much needed kick up the backside. I hope they all bought him a couple of drinks in the Sharks Cafe last night.

The twenty eight year old played a major role in three of the four second half goals and also won us a penalty - more of which later. But his contribution was more than just about adding a few "assists" to his CV. It was a genuine attempt to launch our season after a faltering start. If truth be told, there's a lot of dissatisfaction and disillusionment around at the moment and the mood at half time yesterday was grim, to say the least. However, there was a stark contrast at full time. People were actually smiling and I detected a buzz that hasn't been there for a long time. I don't think we're fully out of the mire just yet, but thanks to one man's efforts yesterday, we're all feeling just a little bit more optimistic today. 

Now I know that it would be nice to end it there, on a positive note, but I can't finish without mentioning "Penaltygate" (I did promise), and bringing everyone back down to earth. A few minutes before the end of the match, Chonburi were awarded a penalty following a foul on our new hero. Up stepped Thiago Cunha, just as he had done at Ratchaburi last week. He was on a hat trick and nothing, it seemed, was going to deny him his moment of glory. But this is when it all went weird. As he strode towards the spot, centre half Fode Diakite tried to wrestle the ball from him and an argument ensued. This was when club captain Pipob On-Mo got involved and, for about a minute the three men stood on the edge of the penalty area in a Mexican Stand Off.

Eventually, the honour was given to Diakite and Thiago sloped off in a huff. However, the drama didn't end there. The central defender inexplicably tried to place the ball past the keeper without taking a run up. He failed and the weak effort went straight into the arms of the visiting custodian. It was a bizarre and undignified ending to the game and, more worryingly, hints at deep rooted problems at the club. Let's just hope that it can be quickly forgotten, unlike Samuel's efforts, which will live long in the memory.

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 Banner: 2013

 

Chonburi FC Pillow and Blanket Set: 2013

 

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.

TPL Chonburi 0-0 Osotspa - Match Report: 2013

TPL

Chonburi 0-0 Osotspa

Chonburi Stadium

Attendance: 5,774

Sunday 30th June, 2013

Match Report

A FEW THINGS I'D LIKE TO SEE - DID THEY MATERIALISE?

ENTERTAINMENT

This has been in short supply at the Chonburi Stadium so far this season. Apart from the second half display against an admittedly woeful Pattaya Utd and the first half an hour of the game with Bangkok Glass, I'm struggling to remember a match when we've played well at home. Today is a great opportunity for us to turn on the style. Realistically we aren't going to win the league so we might as well start playing with gay abandon and giving the fans something to enjoy.

 

This match was more entertaining than the last two but that's rather like saying Crossroads is more entertaining than Albion Market. It was still dull and short of skill and incident. The fact that the final whistle was greeted by total silence - not boos, not applause, silence - tells you all you need to know.

 

GOALS

This ties in with the above. Apart from the two fixtures I've already mentioned - 5-1 v Pattaya Utd and 3-1 v Bangkok Glass - we've failed to score more than one goal in our five other home league games. This simply isn't good enough and I'd like to see a hatful today, please.

 

0-0. Nil bloody nil. I asked for a hatful of goals and I got a hatful of hollow. Both strike forces (and I'm using that expression ironically) looked anaemic and the two goalkeepers had virtually nothing to do all evening. They could still be playing now and it would still be scoreless.

 

EFFORT

In the eyes of most fans, lack of effort is the biggest crime a player can commit on the field. It doesn't matter if you're not particularly talented or even having an off day, not trying is totally unacceptable. So come on, lads, lets see you all giving...wait for it...110% out there this evening. You know it makes sense.

 

To be fair, I think the effort was there last night. Sadly, it only served to illustrate that we're just not good enough and we need a clear out. I'm not going to mention names (yet!) but anyone who watches the team regularly, knows who needs to go.

 

PLAYERS PLAYING IN THEIR RIGHT POSITIONS

Arthit at left back? Chonlatit at right back? Jackie at centre forward? Pipob in goal? No thanks. Please pick a team where the players are happy with their roles and can be most effective. And don't feel the need to make a substitution after 25 minutes. If you're having to do that, you've clearly selected the wrong line up.

 

I'd only really question the selection of Jackie at left back here. He's a centre half and if he isn't picked to play in that position, then he should be left out, in my opinion. We started as 4-5-1 (against a team who've only won once away from home all season) and finished with no out and out striker on the field (4-6-0?). Baffling or just rubbish? You decide.

 

A DECENT CROWD

I've got a sneaky feeling we might see our lowest crowd of the season today. Two defeats in a week - including a gutless display on Wednesday - added to the increasing discontent amongst a number of supporters and the fact there won't be many visiting fans, might just see the attendance dip below the 4,000 mark for the first time this year. I hope I'm wrong.

 

They announced it as 5,700+. However, that figure undoubtedly included the absent season ticket holders - of which there were many. I would put the actual figure at just over 4,000. And this included a couple of hundred school children, who'd been given free tickets. Credit to the 150 or so Osotspa fans, who kept up a decent level of noise throughout the match.

 

THE FOOD AND DRINK BAN LIFTED

Come on. It's time to start treating us like adults again. Please. I can't see what's wrong with letting people eat and drink whilst they are watching a game. We managed to do it at the Swamp last Saturday and then again on Wednesday night without any problems. So why aren't we trusted to do it at our own ground? Osotspa is hardly a high risk match so today would be an ideal time to give us a chance.

 

I thought this was a long shot. Still at least the four cans of Leo we left on the Table of Shame at the start of the second half were still there to ease the pain after the final whistle.

 

PLAYERS WEARING BLACK BOOTS

You call me old fashioned. You can call me straight laced. But I do like seeing players wearing black boots. There isn't a single member of our squad who sports a pair and I'd like to see that change today. So, if any of you are reading this, ditch the fancy footwear and get back to black. You'll make an old(ish) man very happy. And, while I'm at it, can our goalie wear a green shirt as well. Thanks.

 

Step forward Pipob On-Mo. Chonburi legend and all round good egg Mo wore black boots and made my day. Let's hope that he continues to wear them and encourages his team mates to follow suit. Sadly, Sinthaweechai in goal, chose to wear an ugly dark pink coloured outfit.

 

SOME SORT OF ANTI-WORAWI PROTEST

According to some reports, clubs face being fined if fans stage anti Worawi Makudi protests or display uncomplimentary banners inside their stadiums. Ridiculous. As long as the protests are conducted properly and don't overstep the mark in terms of common decency, football supporters have every right to make their feelings known. It would be nice if the Chonburi faithful could show the FAT head exactly what we think of him, in terms of how he's mismanaging Thai football, in a civilised and effective manner.

 

Yes! There was a march around the stadium prior to kick off and banners were prominently displayed inside the ground throughout the match. I also noticed quite a few people wearing anti-Worawi t-shirts. Well done to all involved. It will be interesting to see if we receive any sort of punishment for this.

League Cup Rajpracha 0-4 Chonburi - Match Report: 2013

 League Cup

Round One

Rajpracha 0-4 Chonburi

Bangkok University, Rangsit Campus Stadium

Saturday 23rd March, 2013

Match Report

A comfortable win but a far from convincing performance against Rajpracha yesterday. Once again the defence looked an absolute shambles. They made far too many mistakes for my liking and would undoubtedly have been punished by a much better strike force. The biggest worry was the lack of any real leadership. No-one seemed to want to take charge in Sinthaweechai's absence and this certainly contributed to the unsettling number of sloppy errors. Noppanon was the biggest culprit in this respect but not once did I see anyone - team mate nor coaching staff - attempt to gee him up or offer any encouragement. Signs of deeper underlying problems? I hope not.

 

In midfield, Kushida was his usual hard working self but still showed a lack of desire to go forwards. There were two or three occasions when he had the chance to make a run with the ball or shoot but chose instead to go backwards. I really wish he'd show a bit more ambition. Yesterday was the perfect opportunity for him to assert himself on a game but, once again, I'm afraid he fell short. Maybe he was saving himself for Wednesday night?

 

The front two worked very hard and reaped the rewards by netting all four goals between them. Boskovic had his best game so far in a Chonburi shirt and the confidence he will have surely gained from his performance against Rajpracha will hopefully see him step it up in the TPL. If hadn't been for the fact that Thiago scored a hat-trick, the Montenegrin would have been my Man of the Match.

 

As for Thiago, he too was outstanding. He obviously has a desire to score goals and was not afraid to try a few audacious efforts, which sadly didn't come off. Goals aside, he also impressed me with his tireless running and was still tracking back right up until the final whistle. If he can stay fit - and out of trouble - he could well be one of the shining lights in this season's domestic leagues.

 

So, overall, a workmanlike performance, with one or two bright spots, against a poor team that sees us through to the second round of the League Cup. If we get lucky with the draw, and the club takes the competition seriously, there's no reason why we can't make it to the last four at the very least. We'll face much tougher opposition than we did yesterday, and we'll need to play a lot better, but I'll personally be disappointed with anything less.

Rajpracha FC Mini Kit: 2013

 

Chang Chonburi Invitation Promo Poster: 2013

 

Chonburi FC- My Team. My Life. My Passion. Booklet: 2013

Chonburi FC Media Pass: 2013

 

Muang Thong Utd 1-1 Chonburi - Away Days Photos: 2013

 TPL

Muang Thong 1-1 Utd Chonburi

Thunder Dome

Attendance: 14,114

7th September, 2013