Tuesday, 8 October 2024

AUU Inter Bangkok

 

AUU Inter Bangkok is a professional football club based in the western district of Minburi in the Thai capital. The club was formed in 2015 under the name Bangkok University Deffo and playing at Bangkok University Stadium in Rangsit.

The team was placed in the third tier Division 2 Bangkok Metropolitan Region where they finished third from bottom of the table. Improvement came in 2016 with a third place, which gained a place in the retitled Thailand League 3 Lower where the performance was replicated as Anusak Laosangthai put away the goals.

However, the side was relegated in 2018 in bottom spot as Deffo FC and playing at TOT Stadium in Chaeng Watthana, dropping down to Thai League 4 Bangkok Metropolitan Region when the title was changed again, this time to Rangsit United, and playing home games at Queen Sirikit 60th Anniversary Stadium in Pathum Thani.

The Thai League system was changed for the 2020-21 season, with the calendar matching that of Europe, and also reverting to three tiers. Inter Bangkok came into being relocating to 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Minburi with the club being attached to the Inter youth academy.

 

The change of name failed to change fortunes for the side coached at the end of the campaign by Daniel Melo as they finished bottom of the table despite the goalscoring efforts of the Brazilian, Caio Da Conceicao Silva.

Fortunately, for Inter owing to the Covid pandemic there was no relegation, as they retained their league status. Intouch Yamyindee netted as the side improved by two places in 2021-22 under coaches Kantameth Rodprasidh before he was replaced by Sunti Songte.

A link up with AUU, who little is known, aside from being connected to Bangkok Premier League club AUU Dream Team, saw a tinkering with the club title for the 2022-23 campaign, with Chaitud Uamtham taking up the role as head coach and overseeing a stark improvement.

The new moniker and restructuring paid dividends as the side ended in tenth place Aphiwat Charoenlai topping the scoring charts. A season later the side finished a place lower as Kamron Samranphan took over as coach midway through the campaign.

Santichai Anusim took over team affairs for the 2024-25 season as Inter with placed in the Central Region. He was gone a third of the way through to be replaced by Aphirak Sriarun.

AUU Inter Bangkok will play in Thai League 3 Central in the 2024-25 season.

My visits

Inter Bangkok 0 North Bangkok University 9 (Sunday 20th February 2022) Thai League 3 Bangkok Region (att: 60)

I set out to my football in melancholy mood, with the news of someone I used to play against and have an occasional drink with back home of a similar age, had died. It was certainly a jolt and a reminder to enjoy every day. In the end I gave myself a shake and headed to the local market.

From here I knew that a bus went reeasonably close to the cavernous 72nd Anniversary Stadium. There was no sign of a service, so I decided to set off walking along Sihaburanukit Road and grab a taxi if all else failed.

As it happened a bus did arrive, and the conductor was most helpful telling me the nearest stop when we approached. From there it was a further thirty minute walk down Thanon Khum Klao and then the approach Khum Klao Alley to the stadium on a very warm day.

Taking on water as I walked, I started to feel a bit more upbeat, noticing how the area had developed since I visited the arena when BEC Tero Sasana were the host club. However, it was a different story at the stadium. 

Thai Honda took on residency to displace Tero who merged with Police United. The whole place looked scruffy and pain peeling and rust appearing. Lots of seats had been removed from the main side, which was the only one open. Admission was free with an absence of club officials noticeable.

While I thought things were a bit tardy off the pitch, I hadn’t seen anything yet. Inter’s home performance was simply shambolic. As North Bangkok were pushing for a play-off spot, it was definitely not a good day to be off it, as it were.

 

The audible groans that accompanied the opening goal from Veeraphong Aon-pean after a defensive howler was a prelude of what was to come. The classy Russian forward, Sergey Tumasyan made it 2-0 with a tap in halfway through the first period. Home defender Jefferson Rico then put through his own net.

Tumasyan extended the lead with a fantastic goal before Assanee Panwang gave the smattering of home fans a moment of rest bite when he shot wide in a rare attack before another effort produced a great save from visiting keeper Sanan Amkoed.

Tumasyan added a couple more before the period ended, the second from the penalty spot right on half time as his team went down the tunnel 6-0 ahead, with what I thought could be many more to come.

As there was no possibility of any refreshments I remained in my seat at the break, noticing some not unattractive WAGS had decided to offer their hapless Inter partners some support. Several descending flights heading to Suvarnabhumi offered alternative entertainment. An unusual feature was girls carrying out the ball retrieving duties.

Home coach Sunti Songte hooked defender Pittaya Nuchkrasae at the break after previously sparing Nopphon Phon-Udom who must have been chuffed to bits to avoid further punishment. To be fair Inter improved after the interval, not that they could have got any worse.

It was that man Tumasyan again just past the hour mark who hooked in at the near post prior to heading for an early shower following a job well done. He was replaced by Tanat Wongsupaluk who would have a say later in proceedings.

A couple of away fans tried to create an atmosphere with a continual out of tune duet and accompanying drum. I could only think that ref Sila Jinnigorn felt sorry for the home team as he awarded them a penalty. Amkoed predictable saved Rico’s effort. What a day he enjoyed!

Wongsupaluk made it 8-0 when his header was cleared from behind the line. NBU missed a guilt edged chance when the overworked keeper Natthawut Kiakhuntod managed to make a decent stop and tip a downward header over the bar.

 

However, he was helpless when Wongsupaluk was given the freedom of the park to waltz through and complete the rout. I headed back to Suwinthawong Road where I hailed a taxi. It had been a tough day, and I had a peaceful quiet night at home.

I’d like to think Daz Brining, who had died suddenly in Scarborough, would have appreciated my choice of match, as he played in better contests. RIP fella.

AUU Inter Bangkok 2 Thonburi United 5 (Sunday 3rd September 2023) Thai League Cup 1st Qualifying Round (att: 151)

The third-tier sides competed in the first couple of qualifying rounds of the competition before their league season got underway a couple of weeks later. Therefore, this could well have been a useful pointer to where the corresponding teams would end in the following February.

The visitors put in a good strong display against game hosts who lacked in some important departments. Thonburi, run by their local University, went ahead on four minutes when Kittipong Seanphong was given a free header from a corner which he made no mistake from. 

Inter, with a good youth set up and training ground near the venue. that looked a far better outfit in general should have levelled but Otis somehow put it wide. A sitter on the dock of the goal if you will. He wasn't going to be the talk of the town anytime soon on this showing.

However, parity was soon restored Siriwat Sinturak smashed home after a header was cleared off the line. The home side showed great promise at this stage but six minutes from the break Teerawat Wongsa clumsily fouled Suradech Klankham in the box. 

Argentinian forward, Ramiro Lizaso sent the keeper the wrong way to score from the spot. The lead was extended further, as Inter had clearly not learned from their earlier poor marking as Seanphong scored in repeat fashion before the sides trotted down the tunnel while I had a walk round the far side.

The hosts returned with increased intent after the interval and saw a shot cannon back off the underside of the bar, before United went 4-1 ahead when the muscly Nigerian forward Bright Friday went on a surging run, cut inside, and delivered a low shot into the corner of the net before firing over a guilt edged opportunity.

Thonburi keeper Pattarapong Patcharoon was keen on the theatrical side of his art, but he made a tremendous fingertip save before Friday made it 5-1. A stoppage time goal from sub Tanasorn Janthrakhot added some respectability to the fulltime score.

Both sets of fans did their best to create an atmosphere with chants and drums in the 10,000-capacity arena and is far too big and located the middle of nowhere in the farthest east of Minburi district. The indoor hall next door played home to BTS in the Thai Futsal League.

At least the pitch was in decent nick, being helped, by Siam FC not sharing it since their relegation to allow the turf extra recovery time. However, the arena was in a state of decay, underused and under loved 

It was good to see small numbers of the public using the amenities with other activities taking place in the bowels of each stand including the Thai game of takraw, which is like the western game of head tennis only with a smaller harder ball made of rattan or durable plastic.

I went via the 131 bus, then a walk to get there from the main Suwinthawong Road. Fortunately, someone stopped and offered a lift for the last ten minutes as it was extremely hot. I took my own refreshments as there is nothing at the stadium. Admission cost 50 Baht.

I was offered some beers by an Argentinian among the away fans cheering on his compatriot, but I declined on this rare occasion. I was home in in 15 minutes by Grab taxi ready to watch some football on TV from the UK.




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