Sisaket United’s first ever game in the top tier. They might consider themselves unlucky, having more of the play and then missing a stoppage time penalty.
I badly needed a day out. The season has started a month later than usual, and because of stadium refurbishments at both venues in the city, there were no friendlies to attend.
Pre-match is Leo’s was excellent. A nice little group of us assembled. The food as good as ever, and I got proper stuck into the booze. Then, as is so often the case, it went downhill.
The stadium was nearly full. Logistically it was a real challenge, as two of us went ahead. I needed to meet a group from my village, and with large crowds and Thai’s inability to plan or communicate it sent my stress levels sky high.
All was eventually sorted, and we went into the corner section, which is a steel construction without steps filled in. My mate then announced he couldn’t go up the steps as he suffers from vertigo, so we ended up with an awful view.
Ayutthaya, roared on by a decent following, were what I expected. A decent enough team who I think will finish in the bottom third. Similarly, Sisaket, who played well but are missing a marksman. The visiting goalie pulled off a couple of decent saves. His team went ahead in the sixty-fourth minute through Lucas Dias.
The hosts were given a lifeline in stoppage time when the ref was advised to check the VAR screen before he awarded a penalty. The week before Sisaket scored from the spot. Patrick Valverde put it away in arrogant style without a run up. He was later sent off and suspended from this game.
This time, fellow Brazilian, Deyvison dallied and tried to call the keepers’ bluff, only to scuff his effort and have it easily saved. Possibly the worst penalty I’ve seen since Pat Nevin’s effort for Chelsea in the 80’s or Gary Lineker against Brazil.
We all
attend matches for different reasons. I'm not particularly bothered if they win, lose or draw. But I am extremely upset if my matchday experience is no good. I
will be sorely tempted in future to go to the pub pre-match and then go home to
watch the EPL on TV. If I go to the game, it will be alone. Ideally, in the
lower divisions.
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A really enjoyable couple of nights. Dale, editor of A Thai Football Podcast, was over, so he headed down from Khon Kaen with his wife, along with Tim and Clare, an English couple who also support Chonburi. Glen and Ta joined us from Roi Et for a most convivial Saturday night of food and drink, while watching Thai and English football.
Steve and Fah arrived on Sunday morning before we all headed into town to check into the excellent Babaline Hotel, a recent find, and then onto Leo’s for pre-match sustenance and beers.
Anticipating a near full-house, with the novelty of Sisaket in the top division still fresh, and it being a 4-day national holiday, we arrived at the Nakhon Lamduan Stadium a couple of hours before kick-off, where a party atmosphere was in full swing.
I love going to Thai football for its overall experience, but one thing really narks me. Because we knew it would be hard to get seats together, we chose to sit behind the goal in a raised area behind the track. Not an ideal view, but a good atmosphere. Our friends going in the away end with the same seats at the opposite end had to pay 170 THB more for the privilege.
The game was hard-fought. Sisaket were just above the drop zone after three games, with Chonburi without a point. The visitors were once the country’s leading club and are not expected to go down.
The first half produced few chances. The home side are not the most talented bunch, but they never stop working. They remind me very much of the Everton David Moyes side when he took them to fourth in the Premier League. They get stuck in and don’t give their opponents a rest. Particularly skipper Kittipong Wongma and winger Alex Mermoz.
I’m delighted that Kittipong and defender Pakornkiat Kaena remain from last season’s promotion-winning side as they were my favourite Thai players. Brazilian Patrick Valverde’s creativity opened the scoring soon after the interval. His free kick came down off the bar, hit goalie Kevin Mendoza’s back and went in. The place went berserk.
Chonburi hung on for grim life but regrouped and became the dominant side. Dennis Murillo equalised with a low free kick with eight minutes remaining. His shot went straight through where the wall should have blocked it. We thought only one team would win from there and I’d have happily taken a point.
My slightly churlish pals in the away block thought the team and fans were a little over the top, undoubtedly still fizzing about the ticketing. As I often point out, there is not lots to do in Isan, so its people have local pride and football matters to them, as does any excuse for partying and celebrations. Mexican Waves and mobile light shows aren't for everyone, but who cares if they're having fun?
That was in evidence when we retired to a classy rooftop bar after the game. It usually has a few customers but was empty. A new place had opened over the road and was chock-a-block, so much so they couldn’t get us in. We’ll book a table next time we stay over.
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