DX Academy

DX Academy

Ground: DX Football Academy, Sam Khok, Pathum Thani

Capacity: NA

Club Founded: 2010

League: Academy Football (current level)

DX Academy is typical of many set-ups around Bangkok, having played in senior local competition before concentrating on youth development at their own facility, adapted from a former golf driving range.

DX Academy previously offered football to juniors through to a senior side that competed in the Bangkok Premier League (BPL) and Thailand Amateur League. The adult side played at Royal Irrigation Department Stadium in Pak Kret, when they ended as runners-up in the BPL during the 2021-22 season. 

As DX FC, they finished second in the Bangkok Perimeter Group A of the Amateur League. They continued to play in the Bangkok Premier League Division 1 until the end of the 2022-23 season, when youth development took priority.

At Royal Irrigation Department Stadium

My visit

DX Academy 3 Hippo FC 3 - 4-5 on pens

Bangkok Premier League FA Cup - Sunday 9th October 2022

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Double Delight

I'm always on the lookout for attending two fixtures in a day wherever possible, and this game worked out perfectly. Well, sort of, as I will explain later. A new ground for me also added to the attraction, and it would later be followed by Muang Thong United v Port FC, which I was really looking forward to.

My appetite had been whetted the previous day when I saw an absolute cracker in which Kasem Bundit University had come from three goals down to defeat Bangkok FC 5-3. On my Sunday outing, a minivan dropped me at Hollywood World in Pak Kret on time.

Venue Surprise

After a bite to eat, it took a twenty-minute walk along Tiwanon Road to the Royal Irrigation Department. Once inside the grounds, I soon found the football stadium, as it is grandly titled, before eventually finding the entrance in the opposite corner.

And what a venue it was, with two large covered, steeply raked metal stands down one side and a grand pavilion flanked on either side by other buildings and random seating opposite. The pitch was large and in pristine condition. I don’t suppose the irrigation department got caught out in the rainy season.

Match Build-Up

It looked like a fascinating contest with Hippo crowned as Division 1 champions a few weeks earlier and DK Academy earning promotion from the league below. I was not to be let down in what was a cracking encounter.

We had a late kick-off because the earlier game overran, which was not good for my plans. A demolition was taking place of a large structure behind one goal in case of boredom, but there would be no worries on that front.

Captivating Action

The champions who had won away to Ngob-Dang Kamphengphet in the FA Cup the previous Wednesday were in the ascendancy in the early stages as Congolese striker Fundi Tresor just failed to connect properly with a low Atthaphon Chaya cross.

However, they would go on to take the lead on eighteen minutes when an excellent left-footed cross from Nathakorn Klanwaree found Tresor, whose initial header was blocked on the line before he followed up to score.

The lead lasted less than a minute as DK, with the speedy Ratanatham Pandee impressing, drew level through Pakpoom Mee Winch. Inspired by the cheering home support, the youngsters took the lead when a low diagonal free kick was flicked in at the near post by Thanayot Sophaphon.

I had a wander round the ground after watching from one of the stands, and it was good to see a decent number of enthusiastic family-oriented spectators in attendance. We saw the score restored to parity with the last kick of the half when Tresor scored from the penalty spot.

At half-time, players of Yingcharoen and TJ Bangplee City began to arrive for their cup tie, which was taking place after this game. I felt that the Hippo coaches had words with their charges at the interval as they came out all guns blazing.

The introduction of pacy, inventive, and tricky substitute Simba Masala Blaise added to their attacking arsenal. They went 3-2 up when a lovely slide-rule pass put in Tresor. Rather than being greedy and trying to bag his hat-trick, he laid the ball square to Sitthinarong Wongwan, who finished coolly.

Planning an Escape

Hippo employed a good high press, which did not allow DX to get going for some time, but they withstood the pressure and fought back in a pulsating encounter. The leveller came when a low bobbling shot from Phumiphat Khanyot escaped keeper Panuwat Kopatta to nestle in the corner of the net.

My eyes were on the clock as I didn’t want to be late for my “main” match, having experienced nightmare traffic approaching the Thunderdome in the past, so I wanted to wait until the board for added time was displayed by the female assistant.

Second Match Let Down

Wandering outside, I could still see the action, but try as they might with a succession of corners, Hippo could not grab a winner. I headed off to find a taxi, and they won on penalties. A fantastic match and great advert for local amateur football.

As it transpired, Muang Thong v Port was probably the worst game I had seen since my arrival full-time in Thailand. Thankfully, the hospitality shown by Thai and expat home fans towards me sort of made up for it. Though the Thais didn’t know I was cheering for Port as the banning of their fans meant I was dressed in my Scarborough shirt.

Hippo in Dreamland

As a footnote, a few days later, Hippo FC received a dream draw in the FA Cup when they were drawn to play away against no other than Muang Thong United. Don’t you just love football!