MTU bulldozed Samut Prakan out of the FA Cup in a rainy but cheerful display of fandom at the Thunderdome.
The highlight of the day was expected to be the introduction of Robbie Fowler who was greeted with predictable jubilation and displays of Liverpool FC shirts and MTU shirts with his name on the back. The surprise bonus package was Yingluck Shiniwatra. I didn't catch if Yingluck actually confirmed her support for MTU but I'd guess she does, since she has a connection with a school in the area and an MTU sponsor.
But Fowler must now see he has competition for a place in the side after the team of Kawin (GK) , Kayem (LB), Nattaporn (CB, Capt), Zesh (CB), Thiemba (RB), Datsakorn (MD), Dagno (MD), Pitchipong (MD), Issoufaou (RW), Jakkaphan (LW), and Teerasil (ST) smashed nine past their opponents.
It would be overkill to talk the reader through all nine goals so I'll just let you enjoy the scorers list and match highlights below. The only other item to report is the strange withdrawal of Issoufaou (another quiet game) about ten minutes before half time for Christian who was in turn replaced by Ahnon at half time!
A special mention for the fans of SPU. The game wasn't totally one-sided - their striker missed a golden chance from close range in the second half - but it was hard on them. They got drenched, saw their team get hammered and miss a great chance to score, and they still sang their hearts out. Now that's loyal support.
Man of the Match: Teerasil Dangda, who spearheaded the attack with his classy first touch, finishing and awareness. Robbie might get the most attention in future, but Teerasil's just as important and capable. Close runner up for MOTM is Jakkaphan Pornsai, who tormented the SPU back line all night long.
While the mid-season break continues on, punctured by only by cup games featuring mostly reserve players, I thought now a good time to look at some of the players signed in pre-season and assess their “hit or miss” status to date....
Ahnon Sangsanoi:
Probably the most exciting acquisition of the close-season, the two-time TPL Golden Boot winner has seen those boots turn to plimsolls since his arrival at MTU. Most fans have, like myself, hoped that the occasional goal - such as his strike against Hanoi T&T - would spark a run of goals but it simply hasn’t happened yet.
Ahnon hasn't found his feet yet
Why the drought? It could just be bad luck, or it could be a change of role. It’s very notable that Ahnon plays behind Teerasil in attack, which strikes me as very unusual, since normally the poacher would play ahead of the target man. Could it be that BEC Tero were prepared to build their style of play around a prolific striker, while a bigger club like MTU expect him to adapt?
In any case, someone with Ahnon’s record doesn’t lose his class overnight and we’ll continue to get behind him. Perhaps his ironic selection in the national side will give him the boost he needs.
Verdict: A miss, but definitely capable of turning it around.
Jakkapahan Pornsai:
The little guy from Police United looks like a winger, plays like a winger and calls himself a winger...... so it was surprising and frustrating to see him played in central midfield on so many occasions after his move to MTU. When played in his natural position, he troubles defenders and puts in telling crosses, such as the set-up for Issofaou’s first goal in last week’s cup game. I hope he’ll get more chance to play his own style in future.
Verdict: A hit when allowed to play his own style, a miss when not. (Yes I’m copping-out!)
MTU's air-traffic controller
Zesh Rehman:
As if adjusting to a very different style of football wasn’t enough of a challenge, Zesh was publicly introduced by the club as the “record salary player” (no pressure there, then) and like his teammates, was thrown into a bizarre and confused system of play by coach Carlos. The ensuing time away from the first team was probably a blessing in disguise and it’s not by chance that Zesh’s return coincided with a run of clean sheets and very low rates of goals against the champions. He’s now well-established in a rotational system of centre backs along with Panupong and Nattaporn.
Verdict: A hit.
Bobubacar Issoufou:
Should I stay or should I go now?
The unknown quantity of Bobuacar immediately leapt out as the “Will he or won’t he make it?” head-scratcher for this year in place of Jakkaphan Keawprom, who answered that same riddle last season by joining Buriram PEA. He looked strong, fast and motivated. Unfortunately he also looked erratic, uncomposed and a frequent liability. The debate looked to be over when the shock of his introduction into the game against PEA was matched by his withdrawal shortly after. He disappeared for a while amid reports of a loan/sale (there seems to be little difference in Thai football) to Suphanburi but returned with a great cross to set up a desperately needed goal against Police United and followed that with two MOTM awards in a row in TLC games. Too little, too late? You’d have to ask Calisto and the board. And in case you’re wondering, yes I have given up trying to spell his name correctly.
Verdict: A miss, that might just have turned into a hit.
Miroslav Toth:
The white boy from TOT was never going to be the signing to sell season tickets, but after seeing his early chances limited, Miroslav has proven himself consistent and able. The eastern-European may not be the fastest or most prolific scorer, but he has a good first touch, a good reading of the game and can play as a supporting striker while banging in a few classics of his own like this one. A very good squad player, why would we want to lose him to Bangkok United for the sake of Kris Bright?
Verdict: Hit.
Weera Koedpudsa:
Bangkok United’s player of the year was designed to replace Kawin, but the number 26‘s broken hand and subsequent recovery have prolonged his stay with MTU and limited Weera’s chances to date. He's dropped no clangers but I did notice he seemed to prefer punches and parries in last week’s cup game. I hope that was just down to the very watery conditions.
Verdict: Way too early to say.
Other players: Diarra Ali: A return from Phuket FC. Like everyone else involved, he suffered from the Community Shield debacle and disappeared from first team view. Played last week and looked more composed. Not enough exposure to reach a verdict
Phaitoon Thiamba: A Thai signed from an Indonesian team, I think. Plays right back but it’s hard to see what he has to offer over Arthit or even Pakasit. Could be of value as a reserve player if the economics are right.
Santi Chaiyaphuk: As above, except he’s a left-sided player from Pattaya United.
Khapfa Boonmantoon: A highly-rated player from Osotspa who hasn’t really settled in, though I felt his performances have been good. Now transfer listed by the club.
It was just before nine o'clock on a hot, humid Wednesday night in Nonthaburi and our undefeated home league streak was in serious, serious jeopardy. Our team of Kawin, Kayem, Zesh, Nattaporn (C), Thiemba, Datsakorn, Pitchipong, Buntao, Pornsai, Christian and Teerasil got off to a good start, creating lots of space and lots of chances, but they all went astray. Granted, the absence of last season's top-scorer Dagno Siaka may have had a lot to do with that, but then again, Pornsai was relishing the game against his old club and spent most of the first half tearing down the left wing and firing in dangerous, low crosses.
But Police United were every bit the side I have described more than once before: not technically great, but extremely well drilled, well-prepared and physically and tactically tough to break down. The centre-midfielders dropped back for every MTU attack, creating a crowded area. Meanwhile the forwards stayed in their channels and pushed forward on every break, looking confident rather than hopeful, unlike most visitors to the Thunderdome.
So although the deficit was just one goal - a sharp cross and a close range finish for Police - and despite our excellent record of comebacks at home, I really thought this was it.
But Calisto is a smart tactician when it comes to substitutions. First to join the fray was Miroslav Toth, whose footwork created space for the other attacking players. Later introductions were Ahnon Sangsanoi and, surprisingly, Issofoau, whom thai-fussball.de report to be on his way out. Initially Issofoau looked similar to his other showings, working hard but struggling to make an impression with or without the ball. That would change before the final whistle.
After MTU finally found some space, allowing Teerasil to blast the ball past Police's very good goalkeeper for the equaliser, Issofoau created the second goal with an excellent cross from the left wing for Ahnon to finish. That settled the game, but Toth found time for another poacher's goal shortly before the end.
An excellent fightback and some fluid attacking football against a tough side give us reason to be optimistic. The fallout of Robson's resignation and whispers of yet more personnel changes at the Thunderdome, less so.
Man of the Match:
Jakkaphan Pornsai rose to the occasion against his old club and produced the display I've been hoping for for some time by doing what a winger should do - running down the wing, taking on your man if need be, then getting the crosses in fast and low. No rocket science required.
Blog news:
I'll shortly begin work on a site move for this 'ere blog. I hope it will improve both presentation and quality of the reader's experience. Any fans wishing to work with me in site work or content are most welcome. The new home will require a one-time, totally free, totally non-spam or any other nonsense registration. Stay tuned!
Not a great game in all honesty due to the heavy water on the pitch. Although we've spent a lot of money on a new turf with a drainage system, three major storms in one week, including one that stopped about four hours before kick off, made this a game for battlers rather than purists.
Muangthong's line up was Kawin (GK), Thiemba (RB), Kayem (LB), Panupong (CB), Nattaporn (Capt, CB), Datsakorn (MD), Pitchipong (MD), Siaka (MD), Christian (FW), Ahnon (ST), Toth (FW).
The first half was more MTU but the final ball was lacking, Tero attacked on the break with a similar outcome. The second half saw much more possession for the home side but it really looked like it wouldn't happen before a ball to Christian was well protected by the forward who laid a great flick-on to substitute Jakkapahan Pornsai who slotted home and took my MOM award in the process. Commiserations and good luck to Tero for the rest of the season. They're a good side with good fans. Returning to home matters, I understand there may be big, big news from MTU this coming week.
In other news, a long feature on Peter Butler and a report on a Thai Port game both feature in 'Brunch' in the 'Bangkok Post' today. Both articles are very good reads and both rightly point out the lack of official coverage and internet coverage of the game by official bodies. Yet the 'Post' neglects to mention the growing coverage amongst us un-offcials including thaileaguefootball.com and perhaps best of all by the great thai-fussball.de in both German and English. For anyone who misunderstood, Sven of thai-fussball.de certainly has never signed me or anyone else up for a German site featuring men in leather. Well, except for a Rammstein fan site, maybe.
As is customary with AFC games, the two ends are busier than the two side stands. The price increase for AFC tickets is a lot for some people, but the support is as great as ever.
Even a broken clock is right twice a day and it turns out I actually called a correct prediction in my preview. Calisto rests a few players including Teerasil. The team is Kawin (GK), Kayem (LB), Zesh (CB), Nattaporn (CB, capt), Bonmatoon (RB), Datsakorn (MD), Siaka (MD), Pitchipong (MD), Jakkaphan (MD), Christian (FW), Ahnon (ST)
The first half has very little of note, which is just as well because I hardly get to see any of it. My son has decided to take revenge for my refusal to buy him another MTU flag by barraging me with non stop questions.
“Dad, did Kawin wave to me again today?”
“Of course he did, son”
“Dad, are they the Singaporean team in blue shirts?”
“Of course they are, son."
“Dad, could their forwards hit the broad side of a barn?“”
“Of course they couldn’t, son.”
I jest of course, Tampines are a good side from a well-run league but it's typical that in group stage games, teams never look likely to score at the Thunderdome. It really does epitomise our difference in home and away form that we are dominating possession when not playing all that well at home yet were lucky to escape with a point at Tampines’ ground.
There’s more annoyance, Mr Omar, who claims to be in Canada but sounds distinctly African, calls me and explains he has a private jet with a consignment worth ten million dollars that he wants to send to me. Mr Omar is describing the dimensions of the consignment and I’m waiting to ask if those dimensions are mathematically compatible with insertion into his anatomy when Pitchipong cracks the crossbar and the noise of the crowd drowns out Omar’s response to my question. I’ll never know if it would’ve fitted or not.
The first half fizzles out. We had more play but it was scrappy overall.
The second half is a different affair, though. Early on, Christian gets a deep through ball almost inside the Tampines’ area. As I recall, he had a defender closing in on both sides and looked to have over-run the ball, but this is Christian and his long legs grab that extra inch and touch the ball over the goalie. 1-0
siamsport.co.th
Soon after, Ahnon scores a short-range finish to effectively end the game. I was pleased, but I remember Ahnon scoring a similar effort against Hanoi, and it didn’t set him off on a goal run.
By now the game is really opening up and I’m enjoying it, so I’m a bit annoyed when Omar calls me again and says - surprise, surprise - he needs someone to forward him four hundred quid in fees before he can fly the consignment to me. I tell him I’m not interested and he should contact Fratton Park. Thanks to whoever set me up with Mister Omar, it’s almost as funny as the time someone (thai-fussball.de must top the suspect list) signed me up to a German gay porn site that sent daily pictures.
The last thing Mr. Omar heard is my cheering as Jakkaphan Pornsai hit goal number three with a neat diagonal finish. Jakkapahan hasn’t quite made the impact I’d hoped for so far this season. I thought he was a winger but he seems to drift from right midfield to centre then back again and struggle to make his mark. But today he’s really showing what he can do and I hope it will spark a good run of form.The same goes for Ahnon who rounds off a great second half with a real poacher’s goal as he lined up at the edge of the box and puts a low shot to the goalie’s right side. Now that’s a goal from a poacher who’s feeling confident, that’s a goal that can set a striker off on a purple patch.
We threaten more but it ends soon after. Tampines played in good spirits and I wish them all the best for the next round. Singapore is a great place with a very professional setup in its league.
This really was the proverbial game of two halves. The first half was the MTU of 5-1 defeats this season, knowing what they can do but looking hesitant, just struggling to hit the gas. The second half was the other side of MTU, the one that knows they can still produce the form of last season when they get the tiniest rub of the green. I can’t put my figure on what’s making the difference, but I’m sure that the form of Ahnon and Pornsai can make a huge change. Also notable was the solid back line again, which is always the first step to rebuilding any team. In Zesh, Nattaporn and Panupong we have a trio that can rotate with ease.
So in to the next round we go, opponents as yet unknown, but we can feel confident. The league title may be too far away this season but we can still look towards a good AFC run. And if the trophy gets flown in like it did last season, at least we know Mr Omar and his private aircraft are available.
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I’m hoping for two player interviews in the near future. Stay tuned.
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The OS reports MTU have signed Thai international Jakrapan Pornsai from Police United. The highly rated winger - born in Nong Khai according to Wikipedia, Korat according to the OS - was impressive in both matches against MTU last season and at twenty three years old he has his best days to come. Fringe player Chaiyanan Phombuppha has moved the other way but only on a one year loan with no recall option.
It's encouraging to see MTU's ambitious policy. Players who are too good for the domestic league are being sold on to pursue their careers but are being replaced with the best local talent.
More signings and departures are sure to come. If I had my way, there'd be at least one more player making the switch from PU to MTU....
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Coming soon: An interview with MTU Fan Club leader and leader of the Thai fans' protest against Worawai Makudi, Pipat Waremethpipat.
