Surin KCM FC
Ground: Stadium of Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Surin Campus
Capacity: 2,000
Club Founded: 2017
League: Thai Semi-Pro League Northeast (current level)
Early Years of Surin KCM
The club was formed in 2017 to compete in the Thailand Amateur League, where they progressed to the final round. A 5-4 victory over Nonghan saw the club promoted to T4 Northeast for the following season, under the name of Surin Sugar Khongcheemool.
Japanese striker Miyake Kyohei scored the goals in the first couple of seasons. The club was placed in Thai League 3 Northeast, following league restructuring in 2020-21. Having dropped Sugar from their title, the 'Cruel Wild Elephants’ had Apiwat Chuenban as top scorer under head coach Nirut Ruangsrichart.
High Turnover of Head Coaches
Japanese striker Miyake Kyohei scored the goals in the first couple of seasons. The club was placed in Thai League 3 Northeast, following league restructuring in 2020-21. Having dropped Sugar from their title, the 'Cruel Wild Elephants’ had Apiwat Chuenban as top scorer under head coach Nirut Ruangsrichart.
High Turnover of Head Coaches
Surasin Rinyotha was appointed head coach after Thapakorn Deemark and Kamolchai Yingmeeyou were given the job. He was succeeded by Jobsakon Siyacheep in a chaotic season where Sarawut Wanpriangthaw led the scoring chart.
Coach Nirut returned to the bench as Kroekrit Rodmueang's goals helped stave off relegation. The struggles continued, with Apisit Im-Amphai taking charge of the team, which did just about enough to avert the drop. 2024-25 looked certain to end in relegation before a fine run was put together under new coach Bandit Joopa.
The form included a final-day 7-2 win at Yasothon, in which Tengemo Emmenuel netted four, and Tirawut Thiwato a hat-trick. Time ran out for KCM twelve months later. Chinnipat Ponog, Pakin Larmuang, and Ekapob Potisai all took charge of the team throughout the campaign.
The couple had come through to Sisaket for the fixture between the two sides earlier in the season, which ended in a 6-0 home win. KCM were shocking on that occasion, although I had earlier enjoyed their spirit and attitude in their defeat away to Rasisalai United.
Poor Pitch, Poor Match
Coach Nirut returned to the bench as Kroekrit Rodmueang's goals helped stave off relegation. The struggles continued, with Apisit Im-Amphai taking charge of the team, which did just about enough to avert the drop. 2024-25 looked certain to end in relegation before a fine run was put together under new coach Bandit Joopa.
The form included a final-day 7-2 win at Yasothon, in which Tengemo Emmenuel netted four, and Tirawut Thiwato a hat-trick. Time ran out for KCM twelve months later. Chinnipat Ponog, Pakin Larmuang, and Ekapob Potisai all took charge of the team throughout the campaign.
This time, there was to be no final-day heroics as KCM lost at home to Roi Et PB United, while the other results went against them, ending in relegation from the Thai League.
My visits
At Sri Narong Stadium
Surin Khong Chee Mool 0 Sisaket United 4
My visits
At Sri Narong Stadium
Surin Khong Chee Mool 0 Sisaket United 4
Thai League 3 Northeast - Sunday 21st January 2024
👨👨👧👧 86 🎟️ 60 THB (£1.40)
Road Trip
Road Trip
A road trip to an away game is always enjoyable. The chance to head away overnight with my wife, Taew, is always looked forward to, especially if meeting up with friends like Gary and his partner, as on this occasion. My good lady drove us for two hours, where we headed to a wonderfully designed restaurant over a manmade lake for lunch out in the countryside.
The couple had come through to Sisaket for the fixture between the two sides earlier in the season, which ended in a 6-0 home win. KCM were shocking on that occasion, although I had earlier enjoyed their spirit and attitude in their defeat away to Rasisalai United.
Poor Pitch, Poor Match
However, this latest encounter is a game that wouldn’t live long in the memory, played on a bumpy pitch, between an awful home team and visitors who somehow made hard work of them until tiredness led to some shocking errors.
Yet it took Sisaket until the very last minute of the first half before they took the lead. Their pedestrian approach was unbelievably negative. I had warned Gary beforehand, and he was astonished, having seen KCM several times and knowing just how bad they are.
In keeping with much of the dross, a misdirected free kick was fumbled by hapless keeper Chaturong Singjanusong. New signing, Cameroon forward Isaac Mbengan, tapped home into the empty net. KCM had earlier unbelievably come close to leading.
A glancing header came back off the foot of the post, and then goalie Adisak Lambelsah nearly fumbled a long-range free kick into his own net. The usually excellent Matias Panigazzi showed why he is only playing T3 football as he had a great chance for the visitors, but he didn’t get a shot away because he can’t kick with his right foot.
Mbengan headed straight at the keeper from five yards when anywhere else would have ended in a goal. After I’d nipped out and brought back some beers from the shop across the road, the game seemed to improve in the second half.
Home defender Nanthachai Laokaew, doing a very passable impression of Hightower from Police Academy, clumsily mishit a back pass, allowing Danilo in to increase the lead. Sadly, they took the stopper off shortly after.
I was a great fan of his comedic performance, as it reminded me of the Elephant Show I’d visited with my family on the adjacent showground a couple of months previously. The Brazilian added his second to make it 3-0 after seventy-seven minutes.
This was before that thing of rarity, a fine passing move, set up sub, Phattharapong Phengchaem to lob the keeper, who was going goodness knows where eight minutes from time. Somehow, KCM were kept out in a rare foray before a couple of Sisaket players contrived to cock things up when clean through.
Post-Match Fun
Yet it took Sisaket until the very last minute of the first half before they took the lead. Their pedestrian approach was unbelievably negative. I had warned Gary beforehand, and he was astonished, having seen KCM several times and knowing just how bad they are.
In keeping with much of the dross, a misdirected free kick was fumbled by hapless keeper Chaturong Singjanusong. New signing, Cameroon forward Isaac Mbengan, tapped home into the empty net. KCM had earlier unbelievably come close to leading.
A glancing header came back off the foot of the post, and then goalie Adisak Lambelsah nearly fumbled a long-range free kick into his own net. The usually excellent Matias Panigazzi showed why he is only playing T3 football as he had a great chance for the visitors, but he didn’t get a shot away because he can’t kick with his right foot.
Mbengan headed straight at the keeper from five yards when anywhere else would have ended in a goal. After I’d nipped out and brought back some beers from the shop across the road, the game seemed to improve in the second half.
Home defender Nanthachai Laokaew, doing a very passable impression of Hightower from Police Academy, clumsily mishit a back pass, allowing Danilo in to increase the lead. Sadly, they took the stopper off shortly after.
I was a great fan of his comedic performance, as it reminded me of the Elephant Show I’d visited with my family on the adjacent showground a couple of months previously. The Brazilian added his second to make it 3-0 after seventy-seven minutes.
This was before that thing of rarity, a fine passing move, set up sub, Phattharapong Phengchaem to lob the keeper, who was going goodness knows where eight minutes from time. Somehow, KCM were kept out in a rare foray before a couple of Sisaket players contrived to cock things up when clean through.
Post-Match Fun
The official crowd was announced as 86, drawing some laughter, with the match being played at Sri Narong Stadium, traditionally the home of Surin City. The usual KCM university campus stadium was out of commission for a priority event. That’s how it is here in Thailand, with football quite low down the pecking order.
Post-match, Subtle Hub had some home-brewed beer on tap, with the Mango Cider and then a double-hopped strong IPA making me merry. We laughed at some friendly, inebriated young locals. How little did I know?
Into town, with Surin having plenty of options for Thais and Westerners. We selected Fat Boyd because we knew that they would be showing Thailand v Oman in the AFC Asia Cup. Live music, food, and a drinks promotion were all welcome.
Into town, with Surin having plenty of options for Thais and Westerners. We selected Fat Boyd because we knew that they would be showing Thailand v Oman in the AFC Asia Cup. Live music, food, and a drinks promotion were all welcome.
That match ended 0-0, virtually guaranteeing Thailand's progress to the knockout stages, which was beyond pre-tournament expectations. Again, the interest in football is sometimes not comprehended by non-Thais, as we were about the only ones watching one of the eight screens.
Back to Subtle Hub when an intended nightcap turned into a lock-in as the boss and his mate wanted to watch the Liverpool game, and consequently, Monday became a write-off. I’m glad our hotel was just across the road.
At Stadium of Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Surin Campus
Surin Khong Chee Mool 0 Muang Loei United 4
Back to Subtle Hub when an intended nightcap turned into a lock-in as the boss and his mate wanted to watch the Liverpool game, and consequently, Monday became a write-off. I’m glad our hotel was just across the road.
At Stadium of Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Surin Campus
Surin Khong Chee Mool 0 Muang Loei United 4
Thai League 3 Northeast - Saturday 5th October 2024
👨👨👧👧 136 🎟️ 60 THB (£1.40)
Perfect Planning
Perfect Planning
My weekly fixture itinerary, put together at the start of the season, was all going to plan. It allowed me to finally see a game at the Stadium of Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Surin Campus, which was surely the longest title of any venue that I had previously visited.
Planning for this one had commenced weeks earlier, ensuring that Gary was available. Then Taew was pressed into action to confirm that buses were running. The train timetable had a huge gap in it when I wanted to travel. This was no hardship as my good lady drove me into Sisaket.
Good Start to the Day
Planning for this one had commenced weeks earlier, ensuring that Gary was available. Then Taew was pressed into action to confirm that buses were running. The train timetable had a huge gap in it when I wanted to travel. This was no hardship as my good lady drove me into Sisaket.
Good Start to the Day
It also gave us the chance to visit Chio Kee, a wonderful traditional Thai restaurant which has been serving breakfast to locals since 1942. Going there was never a hardship, and it had grown into my favourite place in town for breakfast.
We were ahead of schedule, meaning that I managed to get a seat on the 10.00 departure, which I was soon to be glad of. While only costing 80 THB, it wasn’t the quickest, stopping at multiple places before reaching the open road and then again at a few towns along the way, offering parcel delivery as well as passenger transport.
Saturday Lunchtime in Surin
We were ahead of schedule, meaning that I managed to get a seat on the 10.00 departure, which I was soon to be glad of. While only costing 80 THB, it wasn’t the quickest, stopping at multiple places before reaching the open road and then again at a few towns along the way, offering parcel delivery as well as passenger transport.
Saturday Lunchtime in Surin
I kept my mate informed of developments, finally getting out of the cramped van around twenty minutes past midday. Gary drove us around to the farang strip, where we opted for seats inside A/a Fantasy Restaurant & Bar for lunch and libation.
It was noticeably busy for a Saturday lunchtime, which is always good to see. We headed to the stadium, with my pilot finding a great parking spot for the essential quick departure at full time. Many spectators didn't bother to buy a ticket for the grandstand, simply watching from a distance over the railings.
Match Build-Up
It was noticeably busy for a Saturday lunchtime, which is always good to see. We headed to the stadium, with my pilot finding a great parking spot for the essential quick departure at full time. Many spectators didn't bother to buy a ticket for the grandstand, simply watching from a distance over the railings.
Match Build-Up
We got a great view looking down on the pitch from the covered, steeply raised stand. There was some open seating on scaffolding around the far side. It was an extremely pleasant venue with many trees, giving it an enclosed feel.
Loei had played three games previously and accumulated four points. KCM were struggling badly, yet to amass anything. Their previous two games ended in a 9-0 defeat away to Rasisalai United, and then a 7-0 battering away to Roi Et United in the League Cup. It’s fair to say that we did not expect too much from the hosts.
In fairness, the side coached by Nattachanaphong Kittana seemed up for the battle, playing in their usual Corinthian spirit. They defended well and then created the occasional sniff of a chance at the other end. Teeraphon Tongdee’s Loei side was in the ascendancy but could not find a way through.
That was until the second minute of additional time at the end of the first half. Kitsana Chitchuea rounded the keeper Sutthithanin Yotdam. A defender tried to stop his goal-bound effort but sliced the ball into the net, not helped by the hard and uneven pitch.
At the break, I had a wander to take some photos, returning without the worry of finding a drinks vendor as my cool bag was doing a fine job supplying us with ice-cold beers. As ever, it was great to catch up, chat and discuss the many vagaries of being a foreigner living in Thailand.
The visitors didn’t muck about after the break, doubling their tally just three minutes into the second half through Selwan Al-Jaberi, an import of Swedish/Iraqi descent. Kongcheemool’s overseas player, the Argentinian Leonardo Ferrari, didn’t even make the bench. We surmised he was either injured or hopeless. Or both.
We made our way down the steps and towards the exit for the last knockings. I was concentrating on my train tracker app. A couple of years previously, the last train ran late, allowing me to catch it after a Surin City home game. While there was a later van, the train was a far better option.
Assisted by a Late Train
Loei had played three games previously and accumulated four points. KCM were struggling badly, yet to amass anything. Their previous two games ended in a 9-0 defeat away to Rasisalai United, and then a 7-0 battering away to Roi Et United in the League Cup. It’s fair to say that we did not expect too much from the hosts.
In fairness, the side coached by Nattachanaphong Kittana seemed up for the battle, playing in their usual Corinthian spirit. They defended well and then created the occasional sniff of a chance at the other end. Teeraphon Tongdee’s Loei side was in the ascendancy but could not find a way through.
That was until the second minute of additional time at the end of the first half. Kitsana Chitchuea rounded the keeper Sutthithanin Yotdam. A defender tried to stop his goal-bound effort but sliced the ball into the net, not helped by the hard and uneven pitch.
At the break, I had a wander to take some photos, returning without the worry of finding a drinks vendor as my cool bag was doing a fine job supplying us with ice-cold beers. As ever, it was great to catch up, chat and discuss the many vagaries of being a foreigner living in Thailand.
The visitors didn’t muck about after the break, doubling their tally just three minutes into the second half through Selwan Al-Jaberi, an import of Swedish/Iraqi descent. Kongcheemool’s overseas player, the Argentinian Leonardo Ferrari, didn’t even make the bench. We surmised he was either injured or hopeless. Or both.
My Roving Report for A Thai Football Podcast
Watching the Clock and Train App
In fairness to KCM, they kept going and even had a couple of efforts on goal, but it was always going to be a matter of how fit they were and damage limitation. Loei added late goals from subs Monchit Wanna on eighty-one minutes, and then the Nigerian, Michael Aliu, shortly after.
We made our way down the steps and towards the exit for the last knockings. I was concentrating on my train tracker app. A couple of years previously, the last train ran late, allowing me to catch it after a Surin City home game. While there was a later van, the train was a far better option.
Assisted by a Late Train
Sure enough, it was late again, helped by single tracks further up the line, which meant that it needed to wait for a service in the other direction to pass. Gary got me to the station with five minutes to spare, enough time to buy a 20 THB ticket and then relax.
My regular driver after matches in Sisaket was away sampling the delights of Cha-Am, so Taew headed back into town to collect me. I was in a slightly dishevelled state after she agreed that my idea to look around the food market by the station was a good one. It seemed sensible a couple of hours earlier anyway.
Another top day out, new Thai ground number ninety-two ticked off, and lots of fun along the way, including a few means of transport.
My regular driver after matches in Sisaket was away sampling the delights of Cha-Am, so Taew headed back into town to collect me. I was in a slightly dishevelled state after she agreed that my idea to look around the food market by the station was a good one. It seemed sensible a couple of hours earlier anyway.
Another top day out, new Thai ground number ninety-two ticked off, and lots of fun along the way, including a few means of transport.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Many thanks for your comments. They are greatly appreciated.