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| For Chiang Rai fans |
Before the match a collection took place for the Chiang Rai fan club and a moment of silence was observed to honour the deceased. Of course, other tragic deaths occurred at the weekend but what struck a cord with us football fans is that we instinctively felt: "That could've been any of us.". One moment you're on your way to a match, having fun and feeling good, the next minute your life is taken and your loved ones are left behind. It's a horrible thought,
The game itself was a fairly one-sided affair, especially in the first half. Pattaya looked low on confidence and saw very little of the ball. About half way through the opening forty five, a long forward ball found Teerasil who just touched it past the goalie and finished from an awkward angle and an awkward bounce.
We should have pushed for more but looked content to play patient, possession football. Pattaya looked stronger in the second half so it was a relief when we earned a penalty for a goalkeeping foul in the box. Dagno converted, though the penalty was not his best.
The game fizzled out from there, though Pattaya United belted a strong shot against the bar and had a penalty claim refused. Still, the result was a fair one.
The team was: Kawin (GK), Kayem (LB) , Zesh (CB), Nattaporn (CB,capt), Pakasit (RB), Datsakorn (MD), Buntao (MD), Siaka (MD), Toth (LW/RW), Teerasil (ST), Christian (FW). Jakkaphan, Ahnon and Panupog all appeared as subs in the second half.
Man of the Match: Zesh Rehman is now well settled in Thai football and proved it today. His reading of the game resulted in a consistent and comfortable control of the back line.
Hi Greg fair result though I think we did a bit better than you suggest - we hit the bar, hit the post (bounced back, hit the goalie) we had one possible penalty and one absolute certain penalty right in front of us Pattayans denied. I missed the beer with you guys as I arrived late due to the traffic - now they have blocked off the entrance to the away side car park and you have to do a 2 kilo detour then u-turn, despite the small-ish crowd that drive took me 40 minutes - the Pattaya buses only arrived 5 mins before kick off! Enjoyed the day out. Zesh looked solid but got turned inside out by OJ once or twice. I liked your left back very good on the ball and always looking to overlap. Ludo is still desperately unfit though managed about 65 mins. Our reserve goalie looked strong - pleasant surprise. See you in Pattaya for the return (or more likely Chonburi!!). Good luck for the rest of the season!!
ReplyDeleteI see MTU are up against Singburi this Saturday. Do you know if the FA Cup matches are included with the season ticket deal? I feel like I remember something like that.
ReplyDelete@Glenn,
ReplyDeleteHi mate, sorry you missed the beer. I did see several farangs in the away end (I stand very close to that section) so I don't know which was you. I honestly don't remember seeing Zesh get beaten by any of your forwards but your number ten did get around someone (Pakasit?) at least once. You did have a strong penalty claim at the end and the shot that smashed hard against the post also rebounded into Kawin's arms by luck as you quite rightly say.
@Ben, yes mate, we were all told TLC and FA Cup matches are included in the season ticket, probably because crowds were low for those games last year. Next week is TLC not FAC and it's the away leg, so I doubt Singburi FC will let us in for free, though it would be nice! :-)
Thanks for clearing everything up! I didn't remember the Toyota League Cup until I looked it up on Wikipedia. I must have repressed that 3-0 agg. loss to Sisaket.
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