Articles, features, interviews, photos, videos & memorabilia relating to Chonburi FC & Thai football from 1997 to the present day. All from my personal collection.
Chonburi's final league match of the 2019 season was moved 90kms down the road, to the Navy Stadium in Sattahip. This was because the club was hosting the 2019 AFC U-19 Women's Championship and our ground was not available. I chose not to travel the extra distance, in protest at the decision, even though the senior management had laid on free transport for the fans. The attendance of 1,845, was our lowest of the campaign.
So what can only be described as a disappointing season, grinds to a rather undignified end. Two teams just playing out the last 90 minutes and then let’s get away for some adverts and a few tattoos.
It took Ciro one minute and 42 seconds to feign injury. Surely a record? The sooner he’s gone, the better, but please no more third rate Brazilians. They are long gone as a major international force and whilst they do produce the occasional grade ‘A’ cheat like Neymar, the reputation that seems so highly thought of here should be consigned, with the majority of them, to the you know where.
The first 15 minutes had Chonburi doing OK and Chiang Rai Utd having just turned up to fulfill a requirement.
On 10, a Chonburi attack saw the goalkeeper and the ball bundled over the line. Disallowed of course, but Nat Lofthouse would have enjoyed it.
Nine minutes later, the first of the ref’s ‘monumental’ cock ups, as he gives a free kick on the edge of the visitors’ box. Mattheus had tried to dribble around Victor. He played it past him and then just ran into him. What was Victor supposed to do, step aside and say “after you, mate”?
I think some of these refs need to understand that this can be a contact sport and just because two players come within five feet of each other, it doesn’t constitute a foul. Still, down he goes, of course, and a free kick, which Kroekrit almost put away.
On 25 minutes, out go the lights. Perhaps a subtle metaphorical manifestation of Chonburi as a club these days. Given that they can play in a swimming pool without a postponement (Like last week - ed), I had visions of them all being given torches and told to carry on.
Thankfully, we weren’t in darkness for long. Thai workers are good like that, but Chiang Rai Utd came back with a bit of a spring in their step and took the lead within a couple of minutes of the restart. The attacker was allowed space by a hesitant defense and he put the shot in low off the post, 0-1.
Suddenly both teams were awake.
Kroekrit missed on 35 and 38, when he really should have scored, and just before the break, Mattheus showed “electric speed”, as he was shown to be too slow, after being put through.
Half time and the Sharks were a little unfortunate to be behind.
The second half started and it was becoming a little feisty, mainly due to a ref who had as much idea as my dog.
Ten minutes in and Chanin saved the home team with a good stop. He did it again a few minutes later.
I have been a severe critic of him at times this season (Me too - ed), but the last few games he has done very well (His performance at Ubon Utd almost certainly kept us up - ed). Perhaps a goalkeeping coach will help him achieve more consistency, or better still, any type of coach.
Just after hour mark, the ref really outdid himself and awarded Chonburi a penalty. God only knows why. After lengthy and vociferous protests, lead unsurprisingly by Victor, Worachit coolly tucked it away.1-1.
As the match progressed, Ciro was of course still practicing for the pool at the next Olympics and Worachit still demonstrating why a supposedly highly rated player, can’t put a dead ball situation within 10 yards of where its supposed to be.
In the closing seconds, a scare for the Sharks, as Chiang Rai Utd hit the inside of the post and Chanin caught the rebound. Then, there was just time for the final whistle.
Season over. Not one for the history books.
Perhaps this is not the place nor time for a season review, but it has been pretty dire. The battering of Muangthong was enjoyable as a highlight, but not a lot else.
As for the league, Buriram Utd are still yards ahead and not looking like they will be caught just yet. The Angels next best by a distance, the rest, not much.
My favorite team of the year, on the three occasions I watched them, Prachuap.
So in we go to a rest period, when all the players go into this big room with 16 unmarked exit doors. They all leave, but don’t know where they’re going so anyone can end up anywhere. We’ll see.
One last thought; with a reduced number of clubs, is there a reduction in the league timings next season? If not, are we prepared for some more ‘interesting’ breaks?
It was a case of here we go again as the league leaders came to town. A few weeks ago in the League Cup, Chonburi had dominated the game and ended up with nothing, losing on penalties. There were lessons to be learnt from that encounter. The first one being keep a disciplined shape and organization and you have half a chance. The second being there’s little to be afraid of other than Newin’s prayers to the heavens.
It is probably unfair having only seen them three times this season, but Buriram Utd do not look like runaway leaders of this ‘premier’ league to me. So often relying on long balls over the top to a Diogo, who has never looked the force he used to be They look ordinary at times. The Sharks had to have discipline and they had to believe.
Buriram started OK and looked like they meant business, as you might expect, and had Chonburi chasing early shadows. On 4 minutes a half chance was created, but a poor effort from the edge of the box. A minute later, a better opportunity in on the left side, but the forward took far too long and the chance was wasted. Chonburi though were getting into the game. Lots of passes,but as usual, just no cutting edge.
When faced by a bank of 5 and 4 you need someone who can do something creative and unexpected, a failing Chonburi have had all season. Sometimes you need a little luck and on 12 minutes the Sharks got it. A few passes around the box and a shocking defensive header by the Buriram defender gave Nurul space. A clumsy challenge in panic and down he went. For once a clear penalty. 1-0.
This is where you need discipline to keep control of the ball for the next 10 or 15 minutes and for once the Sharks were doing OK. They seemed to retreat a bit, like the little kid in the playground who gives the school bully a whack and then stands back waiting for the inevitable response. But the response from Buriram was muted and ineffective. On 31 they created the best of their first half chances. The striker, through one on one with Chanin facing him, got it all wrong and the keeper saved.
The last 15 was all Buriram possession, but no end product. Half time. The Sharks had done OK. They had the lead and the back line had only been breached a couple of times. Nothing to fear here. Buriram just looked average and were not slow in leaving the foot in in a few challenges.
The second half started much the same as the first, but on 52 minutes the defining moment for me. A good ball put Nurul through on the right. Clear sight of the goal area with a defender chasing him and the keeper in front of him. In that scenario you cut across the front of your defender. If he makes the challenge it’s a penalty, but you get a clearer sight of goal and the options. However, he decided to go wide, create a poor angle for himself. He could still cut it across the box for a team mate, but he went for glory and messed it up. 2-0 and you’ve got them, but no. Silly boy, and within 10 minutes it had all changed.
Diogo got round the back of the defender and the slightest touch and down he went, Of course he did. There was contact, but for heaven’s sake, my granny wouldn’t have gone down under that powder puff challenge. Is it cheating? Could be construed as such, but it’s part and parcel now isn’t it. 1-1 and the writing was on the wall.
Three minutes later another clear chance for Buriram wasted and the Sharks were flagging.
Chonburi to their credit were still trying to come forward, but the first half hour’s momentum had gone, as it does when you try and hold a lead. On 78 a ball down the right that looked yards offside when the ball was played, over came the cross to Diogo. His first header was saved by Chanin, though he really should have done better than just put it back to the striker, who knocked it in.
They’d given it a go but come up short again. Effort levels were good but the same old problems every week that are not being addressed. Chonburi though were worth a draw and a bit more composure and intelligence from Nurul and they might have won it.
They lost the match, but more worrying from my view, is that they’ve lost the people. The stadium looked sparsely populated and not what you would expect for the visit of a high profile club. Once again lessons to be learned, if people were paying attention.
The Sisaket bandwagon rolled into town with its army of fans. Very impressive away support. Filled the whole of one end. Respect to them. The visitors themselves not clear of relegation yet, as are none of the teams below Suphanburi, but one win could ease the nerves a little. Fans had arrived to play their part. They must have left disappointed, unless of course that is what they see every week. Would the much lauded coach Wada bring a team to put in a performance? Not really. There were many similarities between the teams. Neither had a sound defensive formation. Both teams’ full backs had an identity crisis as to what they are and what their job is.
If you can’t set up and coach a team to defend properly when needed then you are not a good coach. That applies to both of them. Going forward through midfield neither team has someone you look at and think ok, he’s going to make something happen. Up front not particularly threatening other than when the opposing defence just let you through. It looks as usual like 21 blokes kicking a ball about plus someone doing a Vaudeville audition in the Chonburi goal.
There was the odd flash of good movement and combinations as demonstrated by the first goal when a non-existent Sisaket defence were carved open down the left for a simple tap in. 1-0. Good awareness from Leandro moving in to the box to take a pass created another tap in from close range. 2-0. No defensive formation whatsoever for either goal. Obviously not a lot of time spent on the training ground working on defence, which is actually half the game, in case that point has eluded coaches.
There is usually some comedy to discuss in Thai matches and we were treated to the first offering as Sisaket pulled one back. Adul, maybe one of the smallest players on the pitch, decides to stand on the goal line to defend a free kick. Exactly why, I don’t know. If a ball did come in under the bar he’s not tall enough to reach it. A man in orange strikes a good one (for a change) and Charlie Chaplin in the goal and Adul get in each other’s way and it goes straight in.
Very good free kick and also very amusing. 2-1. It was becoming an open, even quite entertaining game. Both teams lack of defensive organization was allowing chances to come at both ends. Chonburi having most of the ball, but as usual not with a lot of idea of what to do with it. Half time, score about right but it could have been different for both of them.
Second half and Sisaket, playing towards their fans, became a bit more adventurous. A ball played over the top early on to where the left back should have been but wasn’t, saw the second of the notable comedy performances. I think it was the last home game that ‘Charlie’ came screaming out of his goal to take on an attacker that could have been dealt with by someone else, completely missed the tackle and conceded the goal. Groundhog Day! Not learning is he! Out he comes, misses the tackle, empty net but this time the attacker didn’t convert it. Lucky boy. Are these people incapable of making rational decisions? Twice in two weeks!
The men in Orange though were gaining confidence, if not formation and when the equalizer came, it was no surprise. A corner comes in, Charlie goes for it, changes his mind, goes back again and a completely free header with the keeper nowhere brought celebrations behind the goal.
At that point I thought Sisaket were going to go on and win it. I overlooked an important issue. Having got back 2 goals to level it up you need to be able to defend your position until your next opportunity arrives. And with the Sharks inept defence and Charlie in goal, that would certainly come. But now the Sisaket defence just stood and watched as Pokklaw took a couple of strides forward on the edge of the box with no challenge being made and placed one in the corner. Nice strike indeed but shouldn’t have been allowed to get anywhere near a shooting position. That was it. The fourth goal another example of no defensive capability whatsoever.
Sisaket fans trudge home empty handed and still looking over their shoulders at other results, courtesy of a team that cannot defend. Chonburi making the most of the room and the opportunities ‘given’ them on a plate, but not looking anything much and who also just cannot defend. Chonburi deserved to win on balance, but I wish that just once I could look at them and think now there is an organized, drilled and efficient team. Huffing and puffing only takes you so far.
So now a few weeks break to allow the national team to do their TV ads, and make sure their hair looks right, oh yes, nearly forgot, they’ve actually got a match to play. Someone better remind them. This stop/start, stop/start organization of the PL is farcical. It doesn’t help clubs, who are the life’s blood of the sport, and doesn’t do anything for anybody. But then they know what they are doing in their untouchable ivory tower, don’t they.
So, last day of the season. Any team from 6 can go down, Saraburi being one of them. All set up then for an exciting finale.
It’s never easy when a team has little to play for against a team fighting for their lives, but these are professionals so the least you can expect is commitment. I’ll be making a few comments later, and concentrate here on the tactics employed by both teams.
Firstly, Saraburi. Ever since I first saw them I liked them. They don’t in the main, possess the talented individuals that other teams have but I like the way the coach sets them up making the most of what he has to work with. Tactically tonight he got it exactly right. I like him. Put 4 across the back and keep them tight, protect them with 2 and sometimes 3 midfielders. Make it difficult for the opposition to break you down, and when they do, rely on a more than adequate goalkeeper. Ride your luck at times, which you have to, but you have to win so leave 2 guys up front on their own who run until they drop for the team (and they did), and hope to nick a goal. A classic counter attacking formation and style. The coach- prowling the touch line, encouraging, pointing, shouting, never criticizing, celebrating.
Chonburi. Looked disjointed again. Had no shape and the defence? Oh my god where were they? They fell into the age-old trap of ‘everyone attacking’ because the opponents were sitting back and left themselves exposed time and time again. I don’t know why. They were under no pressure. At times there was no one back at all except Dos Santos. Two incidents in the second half, one where the goalkeeper was out 30 yards from his goal making a clearance and a second where 2 Chonburi defenders tackled each other, showed the panic and chaos. They just hadn’t a clue where they were supposed to be or what they were supposed to be doing. The coach- sat in the dug out looking bemused and seemingly at a loss on what to do. First half possession was probably about even, without looking at stats, second half must have been 75-25% to Chonburi, a few incidents in the penalty area and near misses and a couple of fine saves from the goalkeeper but nothing to show for all their possession and dominance.
So here you have a problem. After 10 minutes the warning lights should have been flashing as a couple of times Saraburi broke. Brief comments about the goals. Penalty, soft. He left his leg behind and he was going nowhere. Contact yes, but I’ve seen those not given. The other two, just counter attack breakaways with no defence to stop them. And it could have been far worse as they missed at least 3 other opportunities.
But let’s look at the tactics and mechanics of what was going on. Make no mistake here, Saraburi defensively were excellent apart from one comical incident near the end when the player fell over, Charlie Chaplin style, and presented a chance that hit the post. Saraburi have a right back, number 19, who is the best right back playing in the TPL, and a disciplined, organized defence, but you have got to break them down. A perpetual battering ram approach won’t work, they are too organized and just lobbing high balls in won’t either, defenders were tall, attackers smaller. So how?
Let’s look at the formation against you. 4 defenders across the back. Good shape, organized, committed. In front of them 2 and sometimes 3 midfielders protecting them. Spoiling, tackling, doing anything to break it up. The middle of the field, in front of the penalty area very compressed and crowded and no way through. They’ve taken away your space to play. You have to tactically change that and create the space.
Years ago when I was asked to give courses I used to ask the students a question on the first morning, “during play can you change the dimensions of the playing surface in which you are playing?” They would always answer “no, of course not”. The course was then all set up to show them how you can. You have to change it, creating space where this is none. The pitch itself is a certain size and you play within its borders, but in making certain areas of that pitch unavailable you have changed the size of the area in which they can play. The size has changed. I tried to teach them to become ‘spatial neurotics’. Space is what you need to play effectively. Learn how and where to create it.
Firstly let’s look at the mechanics of tonight. I cannot draw diagrams here so I will have to try and explain. Firstly, you have to stretch that back 4 as wide as you can. That means employing ‘wingers’ who hug the touch lines and keep the full backs wide. They do not come inside, except in one circumstance we shall discuss, it just clogs everything up. That will at least create a bit of room between the back four. Secondly you have to get those defensive midfielders out of it to allow you to get at the back four. Thirdly, Saraburi were defending ‘zonally’ not man-marking, so you need to cause confusion with a style of movement we used to call ‘doubling-up’.
Let’s look at the application. First issue, stretching that back four. With wingers who stay wide the full backs have to guard against an attack on the flanks. They drift wide of their centre-backs , because they have to, and create a little space for you to use. If you have a creative midfielder he can slot a ball through that gap for the on-running winger to attack the penalty area. Another option. The winger himself can receive the ball wide, faced by his full back. Now here is the one time he comes in. His supporting midfielder sees the opportunity and makes the run outside him down the line as the winger comes inside, he won’t be followed leaving you a man free. If he is followed by a midfielder that creates space where the midfielder has just left.
This allows a ‘reverse’ ball to the midfielder who has made the wide run into the space left by the full back who will momentarily have followed the winger. The midfielder can then attack the penalty area while the winger takes the midfielders place in the team formation until they can change back. Another option. With the winger wide, marked by his full back, a ball short from a supporting midfielder to the winger will be seen by one of the forward players who will make the run into the box beyond and between the back four. The winger will play a ‘first touch’ pass into that space knowing his attacker will be making the run. It happens fast and there is little time for defenders to adjust position. Just 3 of quite a few options using wide players. All these scenarios are worked on easily on a training ground.
But here is the big one. Getting those defensive midfielders out the way and leaving the centre of the defence exposed. This will take a few things. Good technique to keep the ball, intelligent movement around them, no long hopeful balls and above all...Patience! Consolidation zone players, essentially your back 4 will play up to the creative zone either in straight lines or diagonally. Now the opposition defensive midfielder knows his job is to stop that so he will come close to the player receiving the ball so you give it straight back to where it’s just come from. 3 midfielders in there, all receiving and knocking back, gradually retreating a little each time towards their own goal.
The defensive midfielders are gradually pushing up intent on doing their job and space begins to appear behind them. At some point a midfielder needs to make a move into that space behind them and receive a one touch pass and away you go. That will take time. Time to drag them out. Boring to watch? Can be. Effective? Definitely. If the move breaks down then you start again. One little point here, if you have the ball in this scenario the opposition can’t hurt you. That’s why I always talk about technique and control of the ball. Essential. While you’ve got it, they haven’t.
You are thinking, oh yes easy on paper, and it is. But you know it can be achieved. This level of intelligent movement, patience, technique and control and awareness, call it intelligence if you like, can all be produced in players. At Ajax (oh no, some are thinking, here he goes again) they teach these things from aged 8. I saw it. By 12, those players who have managed to stay in the group are technically very good and are being taught to think on their feet. Think quickly. If you watch them play even today, when they are not that strong as a team, you can see every player receiving the ball has at least 3 options for the next pass.
Everyone moving, rotating into dangerous and effective positions. The key is then making the right choice of pass. Intelligence. Awareness of what is going on around them. Young players do not receive the ball and think “ok what do I do with it”, they are thinking before they get the ball “ok, If I get it where will be my options”. They are taught this very early. Yes, it can be taught. Light years of course from what we are watching but if the Dutch kids can learn this why not the Thai’s? Of course they can given the right setup.
Ok, scenario 3. You’ve moved the defensive midfielders forward and got in behind them. Things have got to happen fast because they will be coming back. The back 4 in front of you are defending zonally, marking a space not a player. You have to get them out the way. Doubling up can be an effective way to confuse the opposition. They might be expecting one attacker to make a run across or slightly into the box, but not 2. Side by side about 3 metres apart they make there run, maybe diagonally across the box.
The defender is not expecting this and two players, not one, have suddenly appeared in his zone. He can’t cope. A slight brief panic will mean he either follows one leaving the other free or continues to hold his position leaving 2 free. Once in the danger area the doubling up ceases and they both find space. As I say things have got to happen fast now with one touch and movement and you’re in behind them to allow the strike on goal.
That’s enough I think before everyone gets a headache. But if after all this you have no defensive discipline or shape, as Chonburi didn’t, you will concede. And concede stupid goals they did., They didn’t need to all go charging up the field leaving wide open spaces and no cover for a team that was hitting them on the break. Not necessary. The middle of the pitch is over populated as it is without having defenders making it worse. No. Keep shape and discipline. Controlled thoughtful attacking.
So a Tale of Two Coaches. One who set his team up well with a set goal of playing a counter attacking game to win a match he must win. The other who seemingly had no idea it would be like this and then didn’t know what to do to counteract it. Of course if these things haven’t been considered before the situation arises on the training ground then there is little you can do. But isn’t that the coach's job? To make sure potential scenarios in matches are covered and solutions practiced? I thought that was part of it. Anyway on the day he has been “out-coached” and I hear this morning he has resigned. I always feel sorry for people in this situation whatever the reasons. I think he probably realized and has done what he sees as the ‘honourable’ thing by falling on his sword. Credit it to him for that.
But it didn’t need to be that way. He could have thought 6 months ago I need some help here. Let’s bring in a defensive coach to get this sorted out and I will concentrate on the attack. If of course he had been allowed to. The Saraburi coach would have been a very good option for that. But then he probably realizes he is doing ok, and he is. Given that man for man, Chonburi have more gifted players, he setup a team to nullify their undoubted attacking threat and to expose a chaotic defense. Hats off to him.
Next season?
Well, Chonburi in my view, if they want to challenge, should not employ a coach they should employ a Head Coach with a support team of specialized coaches and team members. Right down to the 8 year olds. They have a few months to get it organized.
After the gut wrenching events at Chainat on Wednesday evening, we now go into our last match praying that the football gods will favour kindly upon us. The equation is simple for Chonburi to win the title. We need to beat TOT while at the same time we need Police to help us out by denying Buriram three points.
Our opponents TOT are fighting for their TPL lives, and if online gossip is to be believed, then this could be their last ever competitive football match. As it stands now in the table, TOT and Singh Tarua are tied on 42 points. Chainat and Police are one point ahead on 43 and it’s any one of those four that will take the last relegation spot. The rumours circulating are that the owners of TOT will fold the club if they lose their TPL status.
At the beginning of the season, TOT were relegation favorites yet they defied the early season form book and were perched in 4th place after ten matches. In their next 16 games, they won only once collecting nine points in the process. That mid-season slump is what has landed them in this pickle as their form in their last ten outings has been passable.
TOT are one of a handful of clubs that have made it through the 2014 season with the same coach as the one they started with. Somchai Subpherm is the TPL’s longest serving coach and his likeness to an Indonesian pirate makes him instantly recognizable in the dugout.
Their top scorer is their Japanese penalty taking captain Takahiro Kawamura with nine goals. Soccer AM’s favourite moonwalker, Bas Savage, may feature after a recent run in the side. Their starting 11 against Buriram on Wednesday was: Weera Koedpudsa, Jiranat Nontaket, Lee Jun Ki, Suriya Kupalang, Panupong Polcha, Takahiro Nakamura, Noppol Poludom, Prakit Deeprom, Bas Savage, Supakit Niamkong, Ko Ki Gu.
Anyway, whatever happens on Sunday, we should be proud of our efforts this season. That fact that we’re still in contention for the title on the final weekend is a remarkable feat. We also have a cup final to look forward to the following Sunday so let’s pull everyone together and finish of the season in style. C’mon, you Sharks!!!!!
