MTU 4 TOT 0 - Report

"Customer service? I want to make a complaint about your crap defence....."

'Local derby' my farang foot. The crowd today was the lowest I've seen for a league game and TOT carried a very disappointing number of fans with them. Not that this affected business in the club shop, mind. The tills were ringing their merry way as usual with queues going out of the door. Think about the profits we must be making here -  Army FC charge 460 baht for a replica shirt, we sell scarves for almost the same price, and replica shirts for double that.

Meanwhile, in honor of the drab turnout, Rene seemed to name a few fringe and reserve players in the starting lineup:
Kawin (GK) , Piyachart (LB), Jetsada (Capt, CB), Nattaporn (CB), Pitchipong (seemed to be RB), Siaka (DM), Kaewprom (MD), Leesaw (RW), Christian (LW), Rungsiyo (ST) , Teerasil (ST).

An unusual lineup to be sure, but it paid off quickly. After a few minutes Teerasil had a shot blocked and the rebound fell to Pitchipong who hit a good first time effort into the corner, past the blindsided goalie.

The rest of the first half was mostly quiet. TOT had a lot of possession without ever looking like scoring. The second goal came from the unlikely figure of Nattaporn who also scored from a rebound.

Half time 2 - 0

In the second half TOT upped their game and the farang triumvirate became a little more physical and dirty in their efforts to get back in the game. But around the sixty minute mark - from the opposite end of the field - it seemed a clear penalty when our player was bought down in a one-footed challenge that got the player and not the ball. Siaka stepped up and slotted home, though the keeper came very close.

TOT's fate was sealed shortly after as Teerasil controlled well and lashed a right footed effort into the corner from within the TOT area. TOT kept up the work-rate though, Kawin was forced into several good saves late on.

Yaya made an appearance towards the end of the game to a rapture of applause. Leesaw had a quiet game with several good opportunities being skied yet again. Phaitoon Nontadee took over the RB slot in the second half. Former Chonburi player Piyapol Bhantao also appeared once again.

With Buriram dropping points away to Police United (our next opponents) and BG losing to Thai Port, we now just need Chonburi to drop a few more points to set daylight between us and the rest. Here's hoping Saraburi can do us a favour tomorrow.

Man of the match
Could go to either of our centre backs for their tireless work. They kept focus well in the first half and stood up to the physical battle in the second. I'll give it to Jetsada Jitsawad, though Nattaporn was also great.