FA Cup Chonburi 7-0 Uttaradit (4/7/18) - Photos: 2018

 FA Cup - Round 2

Chonburi 7-0 Uttaradit

Chonburi Stadium

Attendance: 510

Wednesday 4th July, 2018

FA Cup Chonburi 5-1 Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University (27/6/18): 2018

 FA Cup - Round 1

Chonburi 5-1 Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University

Chonburi Stadium

Attendance: 511

Wednesday 27th June, 2018

Chonburi 2-0 Suphanburi (23/6/18) - Match Report: 2018

 TPL

Chonburi 2-0 Suphanburi

Chonburi Stadium

Attendance: 3,808

Saturday 23rd June, 2018

Match Report

by Peter Reeves

Some familiar names on the visitors team sheet, Dos Santos, Rodrigo, but sadly no Adul, who is out for the rest of the season.

 

As always the crowd looked a little sparse at kick off and they seem to be getting quieter (officially 3,808, but I'd say a thousand less than that -ed).

 

I tried to remember if I've ever seen a match start and the home team not cross the half way line to attack for fully 5 minutes. For that's how long it took for Chonburi to do so, as Suphanburi just knocked it about, using Dos Santos as the base of their inverted triangle. They probed and controlled it, but not much else.

 

They had a couple of forays through the channel on the left, but Rodrigo wasn't up to a decent finish. For most of the first half it was the same pattern, though the Sharks were getting a little more possession as the game wore on.

 

Half time came and whilst Suphanburi had looked better at the basics, neither team looked like they had a goal in them.

 

Heaven only knows what the Suphanburi coach said to his team during the break because they came out and were all over the place. Endless silly challenges in and around the box were putting pressure on the defence and going forward, they offered nothing. The tide had turned in Chonburi's favour, but it still looked like a match that had 0-0 written all over it.

 

The deadlock was finally broken courtesy of another free kick, which Kroekrit - with his first touch, after coming on as substitute - struck through a wall that had gone AWOL. Still, Sinthaweechai really should have saved it.

 

A second came after another almighty scramble in the box and it was game over. Suphanburi never looked capable of pulling one back, let alone two.

 

So another three points to Chonburi and problems for the visitors. Ciro provided the cringe moment, taking a throw in and then collapsing when he realised it was given against him. Get rid of him.

 

We had two new acquisitions to look at - Bajram Nebihi and Matheus Alves. The latter is a big centre forward type, same as his predecessors. One of whom - Rodrigo Vergilio - was in the opposition. I thought Matheus was clumsy, a bit slow and just what you usually get. Nebihi, I didn't notice really until the second goal.

 

Another win and the Sharks are dragging themselves away from the battle below them, but it's hardly convincing.

Sukhothai 1-2 Chonburi (16/6/18) - Match Report: 2018

 TPL

Sukhothai 1-2 Chonburi

Thalay Luang Stadium

Attendance: 2,572

Saturday 16th June, 2018

Match Report

by Peter Reeves

As the World Cup gets underway and the second half of the season starts in Thailand, it seems to be a case of psychotic reactions all round.

 

Only those without an appreciation of the game in world terms were surprised that Iceland drew with Argentina. The latter are living on a reputation and in Messi, have the best player in the world, who can't adopt his nation’s game plan. So low in the blue and white is he, penalties seem to be beyond him.  Iceland, for those that follow international football, are no mugs. Ask England.

 

The Saudis were stomped over, and maybe not for the last time, and Australia looking the opposite of what they did in qualifying, organised, fit, tough and very tall. The Dutchman's got them organised. They scared the French.

 

Back at home, Buriram lost at home to relegation contenders Chainat, Bangkok Utd go top and Chonburi win. I'll repeat the last bit...Chonburi win.

 

It was a reasonably balanced first half, with a few chances at both ends and a bit of comedy thrown in for good measure. On 14, a good save by Chanin at full stretch was the first real incident of note. Twenty minutes later, a wonderful piece of chaos, as a Sukhothai defender took a swipe at the ball and it looped up over everyone and onto the bar.

 

On 40 minutes, more psychosis, as Chanin, out of his goal and faced with an attacker, decided to try a drag back to get more space to clear, instead of finding row Z. He got away with it. Just!

 

At half time it was all square and there was not much to choose between two rather poor teams.

 

The Second half burst into life, as more chaotic defending presented the chance for the Sharks to go ahead. Which they took, courtesy of Marclei Santos, to give them a valuable lead. However, shortly afterwards, the home side drew level with the goal of the game. A harshly awarded free kick was bent into the top corner from about 25yards, past a hopelessly badly positioned Chanin. 1-1.

 

It looked like that was it as far as the scoring was concerned, especially as the Sharks had been quite wasteful in front of goal, but no. Cue more psychotic nausea, as, three minutes from time, Ciro burst into the area, pushed it too far in front of him, stuck out his boot and it flew in. Well I suppose it would happen sooner or later. He's not done much else this season. Cue the psychosis, as he began charging about, arms raised, as if he's scored the winner in Moscow in the 93rd minute of the World Cup final. Above embarrassing.

 

So 2-1 it finished. It had been rather poor, apart from the comedy and the antics. But we weren't finished yet, as the team and whoever else happened to be lying about, went for a photo call in front of the travelling fans. I don't know why? Don't ask!

 

Three points is three points and welcome, given Chonburi’s position, but nothing much I saw last night enthused me enough to think things are about to improve.

Navy 3-1 Chonburi (10/6/18) - Match Report: 2018

 TPL

Navy 3-1 Chonburi

Navy Stadium, Sattahip

Attendance: 2,556

Sunday 10th June, 2018

Match report

by Peter Reeves

This, I am afraid, is 'not damn good enough'. That is what I should think the majority of Sharks fans might be saying heading home after one of the most insipid performances and worst results in my nearly 3 years of watching them.

 

Are they wrong? Are they being unfair?

 

If that was all that was said, the team and the club got off lightly.

 

Navy don't score too many and concede a lot. This should be three needed points for the Sharks to ease a few worries and it didn't start too badly. On 3 minutes, a free kick didn't sail aimlessly over the bar, but forced a save. “That's a first,” I thought. On 5, a header from Marclei went just wide. A little warning on 7, as a lack of defence allowed a Navy break, but the ball was put over and the chance gone.

 

The next 25 minutes can only be described as dull. Navy incapable of much, Chonburi likewise, but then on 33, the Navy winger was given far too much room and crossed the ball in towards the near post. It was harmless. Chanin only really needed to come off his line to collect, but he was late, dived at it, completely missed it and the Navy forward stood facing an empty net a yard out. Even he couldn't miss that!

 

It got worse four minutes later, as after a shocking defensive header went backwards, a 'hit and hope' shot was just pushed straight out to an incoming attacker by the hapless. Chanin. 2-0. Ok, fellas, joke over. Shall we try and win now?

 

At that point Navy should close the game up until half time, but then you forget this is Thailand and they don't know how to do that. Crazy Navy defending brought one goal back. Then they made a very good attempt at making it 2-2, but Chonburi themselves were just as bad. Half time 2-1. Dreadful is the only word to describe it from a neutrals perspective. Disaster if you're a 'Blue'.

 

Still, half time and the coach can make some changes and get them organised for a second half blitz. Er, no. Sorry, I was forgetting. You need a coach with just a basic understanding of the game to do that,oh, and a few players that give a damn.

 

The first 10 minutes of the second half got a bit feisty, as Navy, realizing there might be a point here, started making tackles. Chonburi had a lot of possession, but always fragile at the back - of course - and doing nothing to give the impression they wanted to win. Navy were having a go and from winning two 50/50 challenges in midfield, the ball was humped forward. A clumsy challenge and down goes the Navy attacker . Penalty. A bit harsh maybe. Put away, 3-1.

 

Surely someone will recognize this has gone on long enough. No. Navy now believing and fighting for everything. Chonburi wandering around in a daze. At the final whistle there were a few 'handbags', but a loss, an awful loss.

 

A team with no character and far too many freeloaders, resting their hopes on a little more than average Worachit.

 

So, how do you sum that up?

 

The players: Devoid of character or responsibility and look like they turn up to get paid. Most don't seem to care, especially the foreign contingent.

 

The coach: Well he isn't, is he? He’s just someone that picks the team ( or maybe he doesn't)

 

The fans: Brilliant as always, even if the numbers are dwindling. Don't the club realise there is a base to start some serious repair work with them?

 

Management: Not even worth discussing. There isn't any and please don't hang that  'we're relying on our youth programme for the future' nonsense. There isn't a hope in hell that'll work, unless someone recognizes you need to know how to do it. And, guess what? It's not the 'Thai way', as we can see by what has been produced for the “all-conquering” national team over the years.

 

The reality is, the national champions of a few years ago are in trouble. That was the second worst team performance I've seen this season, the other being Nakhon Ratchasima, when the Sharks got a win there.

 

Given that the bottom 3 may already be down, that leaves 2 places ( unless the rules change). Bangkok Glass and Pattaya Utd are capable of winning a few, Chainat don’t look so bad and Police Tero, and a couple of others, are finding points. It could be Chonburi, Swatcat and Sukhothai fighting to avoid one of the last 2 places.

 

Chonburi FC should not be one of those three, but at the moment they deserve to be.

 

This is just 'not damn good enough'

100% Unofficial 'It's A Habit That Sticks' Badge: 2018

 A badge I had made to promote my original website in 2018.

Bangkok Utd 2-1 Chonburi (6/5/18) - Match Report: 2018

TPL

Bangkok Utd 2-1 Chonburi

Thammasat Stadium

Attendance: 3,534

Sunday 6th May, 2018

Match report

I nearly didn’t make it to this match. I had been feeling unwell since Saturday morning and by the time Sunday afternoon came around, I could feel myself slipping into the abyss. However, a sense of duty and the fact that it’s only a couple of hours drive away, saw me on the road heading north to Thammasat Stadium, a little after 4:00pm.

 

Even on the journey there were occasions when I felt like turning back - especially at the Bang Na toll, where absolute confusion reigned, with cars being (mis)directed into different lanes, seemingly at the will of a couple of incompetent traffic cops. But still I soldiered on, the numerous drugs I’d taken probably affecting my judgement and ability to make any rational decisions. However, I eventually arrived, somewhat later than planned, at the home of Bangkok United.

 

After I’d found a parking space without any trouble whatsoever, I made an executive decision and decided to treat myself for my efforts - and save fifty baht - by sitting in the main stand. After merrily making my way to the gate - thrillingly passing the team buses and “Player Entrance” on the way - I was told that I needed to go all the way to the other side of the ground, and the furthest point from where I was now, to buy a ticket. A ridiculous set up.

 

Still, I trudged wearily, and dutifully, to the ticket office, dodging puddles and telling myself I’d soon by relaxing in the palatial splendour of section W5. Even the name promised luxury. And, sure enough, ten minutes later, I was reclining my seat, with a glossy match day programme, surveying all before me, and above me. I’d definitely done the right thing and I’d certainly be thankful for that roof if we got a late evening downpour.

 

In spite of my awe, this wasn’t the first time I’d been in this section. I sat here a couple of times when Police Utd used this venue. I’d remembered it as being a pleasant enough experience then (apart from what was happening on the pitch!) and had afforded a decent view. Thankfully, my memory hadn’t let me down and I revelled in my surroundings.

 

The first thing I appreciated was the leg room in front of the seats. It was more than ample. The arm rests on the chair made it a bit of squeeze for a “larger gentleman” like myself, but the space in front of me more than made up for this. The fact that it was sparsely populated also helped; I had lots of space to spread out. I can imagine that it would be a different story were it to be packed, but, let’s face it, that’s never going to happen!

 

I was already congratulating myself on my choice to come in here, when I recalled something else from my previous visits. Police United had people coming round the stand selling food and drink - just like you see in those American movies when the characters go to a baseball game. I hurriedly looked for them, but it was all in vain. Gosh, darn it!

 

I did notice however, that the majority of my fellow main stand dwellers had refreshments so I decided to take it upon myself and go in search. I didn’t have to look very far. For there, on the concourse, less than fifty yards from my seat, was a shop selling snacks. I placed my order, some luk chin and a cup of warm water  - my throat was killing me! - and then perused the club shop next door. What a good idea. Food, drink and souvenirs all easily accessible inside the ground and sold by helpful (he gave me warm water!), friendly staff. Are you paying attention, Chonburi senior management? No, of course you’re not. You never do. All is rosy in your little world, isn’t it!

 

I returned to my place with my goodies and enjoyed them at my leisure, as I watched the first half. This was the life. And it was costing me less than I pay at home and less than my fellow Chonburi fans way, way, way over to my right. I was starting to feel a little bit better.

 

At half time, I didn’t need to rush outside to gobble down some food and race to finish my beer to get back inside in time for kick off, as I do at every home game. I stayed where I was, relaxing and rejoicing in the fact that I was being treated like a grown up. Something that is not always the case at our place.

 

The second half produced some goals (Three, in fact. Two for them and one for us) and some of the regular frustrations; Why don’t we shoot more? Why can’t Chanin find a blue shirted player with his clearances? Why do we conceded so many goals from set pieces? And what do we do in training all week?

 

It had been a fairly entertaining encounter, and, in spite of my moans, I felt we deserved something out of it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be and I exited my new favourite stand with mixed feelings. It had been an enjoyable experience and a fine place from which to watch a sporting event, but, ultimately, we’d left with nothing and slipped down the table.

Now, if only I could rid myself of this sore throat.

Chonburi 3-1 Nakhon Ratchasima (29/9/18) - Match Report: 2018

TPL

Chonburi 3-1 Nakhon Ratchasima

Chonburi Stadium

Attendance: 3,769

Saturday 29th September, 2018

Match report

by Russ John

As the game commenced, the Swatcats had an early let off when they carelessly gave the ball away in midfield and only a great save from Cunningham avoided a disastrous opening. In the 5thminute, we saw the other side of keeper Cunningham when he mis controlled a back pass and presented Kroekrit with the ball. Kroekrit accepted the gift and tapped in to give the Sharks an early lead.

 

The visitors persevered in midfield but the inability to convert possession into chances was, as usual, evident. Assumpcao had a free kick blocked in what was one of few chances managed in the opening exchanges.

 

As Chonburi began to dominate, Ciro almost made the most of poor Swatcat defending when he nipped in and drew a near post save from Cunningham. Minutes later, more woeful defending presented an unmarked Worachit with a tap in on 32 minutes to put the Sharks two up.

 

On 38 minutes, Assumpcao gave the Swatcats a glimmer of hope when he beat two defenders on the edge of the box and fired in from 12 yards - a fine solo goal.

In the dying seconds of the first half, VAR drama, as the official checked whether Cunningham had brought down a Chonburi striker. He quickly decided that there was no offence committed.

 

The second half was largely played in farcical conditions as the heavens opened to produce a deluge that I have rarely experienced at a Thai football match. Constructive football was a nonstarter, although by then, Chonburi had already sealed a victory. The only highlights of note - barely visible through the stair rods of falling rain, were a Nebihi dazzling solo run through the defence ending in a tame shot and the Shark’s third goal, a weak shot from Kroekrit that literally crawled across the waterlogged pitch into the net to evade a stranded Cunningham.

 

Another insipid display, rather typical of the Swatcats’ recent performances. Little up front and tonight fragile at the back. The second half maelstrom had negligible effect on the result although it did reduce the match to farce. Sheltering under the stand with fellow boisterous Swatcat followers during the storm did nothing to reduce the malaise of tonight’s spectacle. How I yearned for the comfort and cover of my usual seat in the main stand at the 80th Anniversary Stadium!!

 

 

Match report

by Peter Reeves

You've got to laugh haven't you. That or just weep. You sit down to watch a game of football and then... Monty Python couldn't have written this stuff.

 

Chonburi started positively. Testing the Korat keeper a couple of times from distance. Did they know something?

 

On 5 minutes, Korat's left back, caught in six minds near his own goal, decided on a back pass. A pass that went straight across the box, not to the keeper, but a few metres in front of him. Did the keeper, put in a bit of trouble, come out and belt it down field? Oh no... This one tries to dribble round the approaching Kroekrit, loses it, sits on his backside and watches as it’s 1-0. Oh dear, oh dear.

 

On 12 minutes, the ref decided to show his incompetence as Korat attacked. A ball through into the Sharks’ box, two players offside, but he gave a free kick to the attacking side on the edge of the box because someone breathed on a forward. Nothing transpired.

 

On 19, we had seen the start of the Oscar winning performances and Swatcat's number 5 got himself well positioned to win the 'Neymar' award, with a theatrical dive over his own leg. He was later outdone.

 

Half an hour gone and it was about even, but you could sense Korat were an accident waiting to happen. Another piece of defensive chaos presented a tap in for Worachit from one metre for 2-0.

 

Eight minutes later, Leandro attacks the home penalty area from a central position and tries a one two. He gets the return and buries it quite well. Only trouble was, one of his team mates was 3 yards offside, as he played it in for the first pass. Oh, never mind, our ref doesn't bother with irrelevant things like that.

 

Half time. It had been poor, though at times amusing. Neither team able to hold the ball, keep a shape or do anything really. And we’d had the spectacle of seeing Worachit throwing up, though why he needed a stretcher, I don't know,

 

The game, as a football match, was effectively over as the heavens opened as the second half got underway. It was so bad that you could hardly see the ball, as the screen turned grey.

 

Water ballet commenced as the pitch flooded. There were some highlights.  A Kroekrit soft effort hit the post and the Korat keeper heading it into his own net for 3-1 was quite comical  and our Brazilian hero, Ciro, decided to come back on after being substituted. Then, when quite rightly asked to leave the field, he had a right hissy fit. He screamed and screamed until he was sick! Off he went.

 

With the ninety minutes almost up, there was still time for a Swatcat player to win the 'Neymar' with his audition for Swan Lake down by the goal line. He was booked. Even this ref saw through that one.

The question is, why wasn't the match abandoned when it became clear that play was impossible? I suppose someone was using the brain cell somewhere else.

 

Chonburi, safe now, but in the first half, not very convincing. The team isn't set up properly to play five passes at the back and then hump it forward.

 

Korat? Is this the club of Tuck, Sartoshi, Lindemann and Chivuta? Please don't anyone tell me they've got better. Billy Bunter on the touch line has had a long time to sort out the defence. Nothing. He'd be better off going back to working with Stan Laurel.

 

So Sharks fans breathe a bit easier and look forward to next season. Maybe a proper coach and 8 new players coming in will make a difference. It might be harder next year, with a lot of the really bad teams gone. Time for some good management decisions...for a change!