The game itself was secondary in this event, so I will simply tell you that Rene rested half of the team and we started with Kawin, Pakasit, Piyachart, Jetsada, Panupong, Zaizen, Bhuntao, Nontadee, Pitchipong, Christian, Rungsiyo.
The game was mostly played like a friendly. TOT took the lead in the first half but Christian struck back in the second and Siaka (who replaced Rungsiyo) got a clear penalty (at least it looked clear from the other end) and converted it.
The TPL trophy was delivered by helicopter before the game and after full time there were some great fireworks and a lap of honour. Enjoy it here:
Thanks to Jirawat Srikong for his professional quality photos that he shares as "mooinblack" at mtufc.com.
The signs that this would be a special night came early. The singing from the Ultras' South Stand could be heard from a good distance a full thirty minutes before kick off. Usually the fans don't warm up their vocal cords until ten minutes before match time. My own home, the North Stand, was full of home fans including lots of new faces as well as the now well established 'n-zone' group creating - person for person - as much noise as the Ultras and generating a great atmosphere for this crucial game. Crucial not only for Muangthong, but for Thai football.
The line up was Kawin (GK), Piyachart (LB), Panupong (CB), Nattaporn (capt, CB), Keawprom (RB), Pitchipong (MD), Datsakorn (MD), Siaka (MD), Kone (AM), Terasil (ST), Christian (FW). Jetsada is still injured, so the armband went to Nattaporn.
The most notable thing about Al-Karamah was that their number five either lives atop a beanstalk, used to be WWE champion or is the result of some radioactive experiment. This goliath of a man nearly stepped on his own goalkeeper in the team huddle. It was scary to see.
Muangthong flew out of the traps and the game immediately became a fast-paced and skillful affair between two teams of a very equal standard. Teerasil lead the Muangthong barrage supported by a dynamic midfield with the usual long range efforts by Datsakorn and some chancers from the rest of the midfield.
I was immediately filled with optimism, not only by our bright start but by the Al-Karamah goalie, who seemed to have a very Latin style of palming away even mild efforts on goal. Nothing seemed to stay in his hands. You always have a chance against a goalie like that.
Al-Karamah continued to look capable on the break but there was no doubt which team looked more likely to score. The time wasting began - by my watch - on seven minutes when Al-Karamah's goalie palmed away an effort by Christian and spent seven minutes rolling around as a result. Afterwards, Muangthong won a whole series of corners that came close but couldn't quite breach a well organised and physically huge back line.
It needed something special to break the deadlock and overcome the first leg deficit. So, which player has produced several moments of magic this season when we needed it most? Yep, Datsakorn Thonglao scored another cracker, this time with slightly more curl and slightly less distance but perhaps the most important goal he's ever scored for his club. The celebrations were awesome.
The game continued at the same pace. Al-Karamah did play some nice through balls to their strikers but their very narrow game meant that Panupong and Nattaporn were always ready to intercept them and the defensive duo never shied away from the physical challenges. Around the thirty minute mark, Christian made a brilliant run into the opposition area, beating two men with a mazy dribble that clearly had them panicked. Christian then went down and the ref gave the penalty. It was at the other end of the pitch and I haven't seen any replays yet but it certainly looked justified. Dagno lined up and did the business. We were two-nil up. Happy days.
A little aside before I discuss the second half: throughout the first half, Al-Karamah's substitutes were warming up near the 'n-zone' group who were giving them the usual Thai banter: waved arms, thumbs down and boos. Nothing more malicious than that. At the time the penalty was given, Karamah's number twenty one began to make the finger-rubbing "money" gesture to some fans - kids, no less - in the stand. When Dagno scored the penalty, the same player ran to the 'n-zone' cheerleader and made the same gesture. Well mister twenty one, this doesn't strike me as very professional behaviour. You were at the opposite end of the pitch and were warming up when the penalty was given, so you shouldn't make such an accusation. Secondly, you might want to be a bit more careful. Had you been at Thai Port Stadium instead of the Thunderdome, fans might not have been so restrained in their reaction to your attitude.
To be fair, the same player continued the banter in the second half in a more light-hearted manner, but someone needs to tell him not to do leg stretches on the fence facing the fans in Thailand. No doubt it was innocent but again, fans of other teams might take the foot pointing so reservedly.
The second half was more of the same but with a bit more possession by Al-Karamah. However although they are an able side, Al-Karamah seemed to lack the pace to create too many threats. "Fi-fai-fo-fum" number five came up for a corner - towering over Kawin in the build up - and of course won the header but Kawin was equal to the effort and collected comfortably.
The clock ran down and MTU - to their huge credit - had only one stretcher injury in the entire second half. The final whistle went and the celebration started. The only downside to the jubilation was the immediate rush towards the ref by several Al-Karamah staff. Security guards surrounded the officials but still the coach leaned over them and sarcastically clapped his hands in the ref's face. There was absolutely no need for this. The ref was very balanced in my opinion and the better team won the game. The penalty may be controversial but we also had a strong claim in the second half turned down. I hope the coach will apologise when he's calmed down. Al-Karamah players did not stay to say goodbye to the home fans. Perhaps it's not the culture in Syria. In any case, MTU players did a lap of honour and the joy was on everyone's face.
Two important things need to be mentioned now. First, MTU took it to a new level tonight. I usually compare the standard of Thai football to the English League 1 or 2, but this show was something much better. Indeed, it was by far the best performance the club have ever put on. Second, those who imply Muangthong fans are plastic, lacking in passion, etc. can pour some chilli sauce over their words and munch away. Tonight's passion and dedication to spurring the team on to the next level was fantastic. It was a privilege to be a part of it.
Man of the match is an agonising decision - Teerasil lead the front line brilliantly, Kawin was his usual shot-stopping, area-commanding, confident self, Kone and Siaka chased every lost cause and closed down every defender, Christian's brilliant dribble won the penalty, Datsakorn did the obvious, Nattaporn and Panupong stood tall all night.
So in my indecision, I turned to Matt who nominated midfield dynamo Pitchipong Choeichiu as MOTM and also summed up the night thus: "We have arrived. The scale of tonight is hard to fathom. Bring it on!"
Goalkeeper safety warning: this man is considered highly dangerous when backed off.
After a one hundred metre dash, two bus rides and a ten minute game of Russian Roulette on a motorcycle taxi, I arrived at the Thai-Japanese stadium with the realisation that it's almost as close to my home as the Thunderdome, and it was not even going to be close to a sell out.
Outside the away end, the leaders of the 'Ultras' fan club were selling musical CD versions of the club songs. Well, how could anyone say 'no' to the mother of the best goalkeeper in Thailand who gave me the sales pitch? Every CD had an entry form for a chance to win a paid trip to Damascus for the big AFC game, so it may be the best 250 baht I ever spent.
Along with our farang entourage today was none other than Robert "J'adore Thai Port" Procurer. Sitting next to the co-general was a novelty as I got a few insights into his view of everything. I learned Pakasit was fit but they felt Kaewprom was playing better, Christian was suspended, Ammorn was in the side because they felt his pace would cause problems and Pizza Hut do much better pizzas than Pizza Company. Not sure I agreed with his last point.
The line up today was: Kawin, Piyachart, Nattaporn, Jetsada, Kaewprom, Datsakorn, Ammorn, Pitchipong, Siaka, Teerasil, Kone.
The game very quickly settled into its first half pattern and it wasn't good. It was a scrappy affair that saw neither side settle into their stride. Bangkok United, to their credit, did what they said they would and defended deeply and in numbers but pushed forward for every counter-attack. Their plan was to use their big number 35 as a target man to hold the ball when they broke forward, but a goal never looked likely to happen. For Muangthong however, every attack was simply broken down by poor passing, tight marking or overhit crosses. The pitch was part of the problem as it was very wet and heavy and the ball seemed to bobble a lot.
Rob explained that the side was lacking balance. He wanted Ammorn to get forward and cross but because Kaewprom was staying so deep, BKU simply used three men to hustle Ammorn off the ball. On the other wing Piyachart was the only player getting forward. So at half time it was 0-0. Some of the players started to put in ear plugs as they walked towards Rene.
The second half started brighter. Zaizen replaced Pitchipong and once again showed his smart reading of the game. Taking place on the left wing (Ammorn switched to central) he overlapped neatly and started a far better supply line of crosses. Still nothing was working and until now, we had hit the bar once (Siaka) and BKU had forced two good saves. Then out of nowhere he did it again....
Datsakorn Thonglao- who up until now had done little - pulled the trigger from well outside the box and sent an absolute screamer past the diving BKU 'keeper. An amazing goal that must make the shortlist for goal of the season. He has his critics, but the number of times this guy has hit the target this season will surely pay his wages by itself.
From then on the outcome never looked in doubt. With about five minutes left, a late free kick was floated in to find Siaka who knocked it home to make it two-nil. I guess Tor Chittinand either left the ground at this point or more likely was watching his beloved Chonburi play Sisaket because he seems unaware that a few moments later, Kaewprom broke through to make it 3-0 and give me yet more headaches deciding if he is good, OK or hopeless.
So it ended. The scoreline flattered us and this was a relatively poor game, in poor conditions in a slightly subdued atmosphere. But championships are won in this type of match by players who can produce a moment of skill in a dull game as Datsakorn did. Bangkok United have a nice stadium with good facilities, a good kit and a good sponsor. Today they had a decent turnout, too. Their team look low on skill or creativity but well organised ( probably thanks to their new coach) and ready to fight. Let's hope that's enough to keep them up because this is one club that is trying to do things the right way.
Chonburi's win means little else has changed. Next up are Bangkok Glass on Wednesday.
With a team that's already won the league and a team that has a cup final next week, perhaps it was too easy to guess the winner. Still, this was a tight game in more ways than one.
As usual, I arrive way too early (I have to go to each home game straight from work) and wasted time walking around the stadium. I usually bump into more than one person I know but not today. There's a strange mixture of people around the area. It seems the Thunderdome itself has some kind of modelling show going on and the Queen Sirikit Exhibition Centre has some display that involves a lot of middle aged farangs and their families, many of whom are gawking in surprise at the football crowds.
But my focus is on the football and since I couldn't get into the West Stand with the noisy 'Ultras' (the cub would only sell 500 tickets for that stand on each day) I'm back in the East Stand with the quiet people, the families and good old 'Monkey Boy', which is my nickname for the tall man with glasses who tries to be a clown, but his only joke is to dress like a moron and stand up and yell nonsense. There's nothing wrong with this crowd (apart from Monkey Boy) but they seem a little insipid for my liking. Next season I'll be busting my backside to get a season ticket with the Ultras or failing that, at the new South Stand. It reminds me of the old Archers Road End at The Dell (of Southampton Football Club)
The first thing to jump out and smack me between the eyes is the state of the pitch. At the last game I saw (against Samut Songkhram) the pitch seemed fine. When I picked up my tickets last Thursday, the pitch seemed fine. Today, it looks like a herd of buffalo have been chased across it by a pride of Lions whilst a herd of pigs staged a banquet in the centre circle. Everywhere I look I see holes, divots and lumps.
The new South and North stands seem about sixty percent full while BEC Tero have, disappointingly, probably the lowest away support I have seen. While they've bought some impressive banners, they don't make a lot of noise.
As kick-off draws closer, we get to witness the ups and downs of Thai football. Brian Robson and Steve Derby arrive, walk past us and shake hands with fans. A brass band seem to be playing lightweight tunes that would seem more suited to a dingy jazz bar than a football game and later the regular singer comes on to perform his usual tune at the exact time the speakers decide to pack in.....then work again....then pack in....then work again...etc.
Kick off comes and both teams work hard to play quality football despite the conditions. MTU seem to be playing a flexible 4-4-2 with Piyachat and Pakasit pushing up as often as defending, Hattaporn playing unusually far up, Diako pushing up from the centre as often as he can and Leesaw playing loose on the right wing. It could actually described as 2 - 5 - 3 at times and though it's exciting to watch, I fear a good team in the ACL could hammer us for doing it.
As usual, golden chances come and go begging until midway in the first half when Teerasil takes a simple but effective 'turn and shoot' opportunity. By now the Ultras are in full swing and notably, the new South Stand are trying to keep up with them. If the demand for tickets with the Ultras is a high as I expect next year, the South Stand might be worth a bash.
The second half descends into a comedy of errors as both sides create chances that seem easier to score than miss. BEC hit the woodwork twice and "beat the offside trap" (i.e. the two centre back get caught ball watching again) several times but Kawin and the back line recover well enough to make amends. Mika, Wisarut, and Anusorn replace Leesaw, Sylla and Teerasil (I think) in three separate substitutions. Mika is steady, Anusorn looks lightweight but probably just needs more time but Wisarut looks class again. Indeed, he proves it in the eighty second minute with a nicely taken finish.
Credit to BEC as they continue their efforts but by now it is obvious the ref could announce seven hours stoppage time and they just wouldn't score. The whistle goes and the celebrations start. Robert and the two Guineans are gifted giant flags of their respective nations, Robert lifts the trophy and indicates to the fans that it is their trophy. The TFA 'phu yais' make an appearance and some others join the squad on the pitch, including some of my fellow farang fans who look like they've enjoyed a few beverages and are relishing the moment.
And so the roller coaster ride is over, bar a couple more games for Rajpracha. Such is the nature of Thai football and MTU that I've already got a lot to think about during the close season, and there's sure to be plenty to blog about.
Thank you Muangthong United for making me so welcome, playing good football and already gifting us some great memories.
Man of the match - Kawin was excellent, Wisarut looked class when he came on but didn't play long enough, I have to give it to Dango, who looked dangerous going forward, and covered back whenever he could, For a man his size, he can shimmy and turn his opponents very well.
