Muangthong United 2 Bangkok Glass 0

We got you THIS time BG Man! Muwahahahahaha!!

This match was switched to 1900 to allow more people to attend. Interestingly, we fans who normally sit in the North Stand were moved into the East Stand, ostensibly to allow room for the BG masses. I was surprised the Upper West Stand wasn't opened to accommodate the BG fans so home fans could take their usual spot.

The line up for this crucial game was: Kawin(GK), Piyachart (LB), Jetsada (CB), Nattaporn (CB), Kaewprom (RB), Datsakorn (MD), Abdoul (DM), Christian (RW), Siaka (MD), Kone (AM/ST), Teerasil (ST). Interestingly BG only used one of their three new signings. Peter Lang spent the game jogging up and down the touchline next to us, Sylla sat out the game - perhaps an injury, perhaps a pre-contractual agreement that he could not play this game but Michael Byrne started, though he was subbed in the second half. New signing from Police United, Narongchai Wachiraban appeared in the second half for the home team.

The game started brightly with a few end-to-end plays but we got slightly the better of it. It wasn't long - about twelve minutes I think - before a quick set of direct passes found Kone in the box who used his right foot to sweep a shot into the top right corner of the net. The rest of the half continued in a balanced and attacking vein. BG forced two excellent saves from Kawin and it seemed obvious a one goal lead would not be enough to relax on for Muangthong.  Christian looked to be back to his best now his first touch - the quality a player loses most quickly when injured or unfit - is back. His long legs allow him to take giant strides towards the penalty box and leave defenders stranded.

Shortly before half time Teerasil made it 2-0. No other striker in Thailand seems so dangerous with his back to goal as this man. This time he took a half turn before hitting a low finish to to his near side. Half time 2-0. During the break Moussa Sylla came over to greet home fans.

For the second half Bangkok Glass took out a large kitchen sink and chucked it at us. Wave after wave of attacks from the green side ensued. Some from the wing, some down the middle, some direct. Number nine in particular was causing problems.The slight sized player's footwork was dazzling and gave Nattaporn some real headaches. Glass were kept out by a mixture of good goalkeeping, last ditch tackling, poor finishing and a little luck on our part. As it became obvious that it wouldn't be BG's day, the home fans began the usual chants and this week's novelty was to take off our shirts and wave them as we sang. I apologise to the people behind me who were blinded by the whiteness of my back.

So no more goals in the second half and we won 2-0. BG are a very good side and the only team to put us under extended pressure on our own turf. The difference between us today was clinical finishing on our part. No doubt BG's new signings will be looking to address that issue soon and also no doubt they'll be closer to us next season.

Man of the Match:
For his command of the back line under pressure and more than a few crucial interventions of his own, it goes to Jetsada Jitsawad. Kawin and Christian also had excellent games.