Sisaket United post August 2024

 

Please click on this link to read all about the history of the club and my previous visits to home games prior to August 2024.

Sisaket United 1 Pattaya United 1 (Saturday 10^th August 2024) Thai League 2 (att: 2,512)

Plenty of anticipation awaited as Sisaket embarked on their maiden second tier campaign in Thai football. What we received was a game that offered plenty of everything and more than enough to keep the spectators entertained before the match and then when it started it 6.30pm.

New Brazilian signing Abner was fed by compatriot Danilo after just seven minutes to finish in style past keeper Phiyawat Intrapim. All looked good for the hosts in a fast-paced encounter in which visiting forward, another Brazilian, Patrick Cruz looked a class above all others on show with his neat footwork.

This was aided by the Sisaket coach, predictably going into defence mode and leaving the three imports up front with the space between them and the rest of the team being large enough to host the Surin elephant Festival. Remarkably enough, pressure was gradually built before Pattaya equalised after half an hour when a cross saw Pakornkiat Kaena put through his own goal. 

At which point, the visiting Dolphins for some reason decided that they would become more defensive minded and rely on breaks than grab a game by the scruff of the neck that was waiting to be won. The third Sisaket Brazilian, Caique, had been played on the left wing, despite him being a creative forward pressing midfielder. 

The one-dimensional tactics had done for him as he was withdrawn just after the hour mark as I offered the coach feedback. The game became niggly, passionate, and naughty at times. I compared it to watching England play against themselves at the recently finished Euros. 

The home team coach failed to use most of the talent at his disposal because I’m not sure he knows how to. The away side settled for a draw when a win was on the cards. Meanwhile, the Pattaya players fell over with alarming regularity having quickly realised that referee Nasri Tamat was as weak, taking advantage of his general cluelessness. 

Dolphins coach Theerawekin Seehawong went on the pitch three times to remonstrate, before he was eventually shown to the stands. The stretcher bearers were overworked before players suddenly and miraculously jumped to their feet. 

Patrick Cruz and his teammate Waleed Adel decided to exchange punches with each other, before a combination of Abner and Danilo missed a glorious chance during the additional seven minutes of stoppage time at the back post from a well delivered free kick.

All in all, a feisty affair, but as ever it was only part of a good day out. The later kick-off than in previous seasons allowed for a proper drink pre match, both in Leo’s and Hong Kong Garden after getting a van from Kanthararom. In the first place Caique was in with a friend having a water. I did warm him about the coach then and I got the impression that he sort of knew already. 

My pal John was waiting for a late lunch before we headed to the stadium earlier than usual and via an off license. Sisaket going up would undoubtedly improve the standard of the matches, but there were most certainly things that didn’t appeal to me, not least only Chang being the only beer available rather than Leo.

That was resolved by me taking my own and putting them in a plastic cup to take in acquired from one of the vendors. In fairness to the club, they made some kind of effort, with tables and chairs on the main road behind the stand to create some kind of fan zone. Designated seats were required while the price had nearly doubled to 100 THB, which was around £2.25 in the best position. 

Caique’s friend turned out to be another Brazilian who had signed for Rasisalai United in T3. He and his girlfriend sat just behind us and were good company. I would look forward to seeing him perform a month or so later, especially if he scores as many goals as he told me he would.

Full time my driver somehow managed to get through the cordon to park near the exit before I had one last beer with my wife who had better observational ability than the ref by identifying that I had already sampled several beers.

Sisaket United 1 Chiangmai United 1 (Sunday 15^th September 2024) Thai League 2 (att: 2,399) 

An entertaining game as Sisaket equalised late on. Plenty of endeavour, skill, and dross with controversy of a goal each being chalked off, so standard Thai fare really.

The hosts came into the encounter in the playoff places, the visitors from the north third from bottom, not that anyone would know on this showing. Perhaps both sides were in false positions with Sisaket punching above their weight following promotion. 

The game was played at a frantic pace throughout with midfielders having a quiet time as the ball fizzed from end to end. I rated the away sides front foreigners, Carlos Neto and Arnold Suew above the home pairing of Danilo and Caique Ribero. This was especially true in the opening exchanges, with the footwork of Carlos Neto outstanding.

His side went ahead through a long-range swerving free kick from Suew after half an hour of proceedings. I’m not entirely sure keeper Adisak would have been too pleased with his effort in trying to stop it. The visitors wearing light grey shirts with white numbering coming close in the very poor effort stakes. 

Danilo missed an absolute sitter on the stroke of halftime heading wide from five yards as his side got back into things with both sides playing some good stuff at high intensity. This continued after the break on what was a slick surface with the region receiving many heavy downfalls in the days leading up to the match.

Indeed, the groundstaff deserved much credit for their endeavours, with it looking in excellent condition and maybe helping to level it out. Just one patch, like a single blokes’ bedsheets detracting from its appearance. It certainly encouraged plenty of challenges to go flying in. 

Referee Krisda Luangyos certainly had his hands full, dishing out seven yellow cards, as the hosts were being less than hospitable at times. The officials would then be involved heavily in two big moments. Chiangmai had a goal ruled out for offside. I was right in line with it and called it straight away.

The visiting coach was apoplectic racing down the touchline to offer feedback to the assistant with the flag. A few minutes later the hosts were denied, with that decision being clearly wrong when photographic evidence from the live feed was produced. No VAR in T2, at least until the midseason break so on we went. 

The Lamduan eventually drew level, and deservedly so on the balance of play, when exchanges of passes which I’m not entirely sure were intentional eventually found Danilo a yard or so out to score with fourteen minutes remaining. After that the away side blew a great chance to take all three points.

A strange day out. News that the dreaded words of the car needed attention was thankfully a cheap part, while a trip to the stadium to buy my ticket in advance to be sure I was under cover in case of rain proved fruitless as the office was closed despite the club advertising it would be open. 

Nice food and company in Hong Kong Garden my usual pre match haunt with a couple of beers to wash it down. My pal John unavailable and news that the place might shut too in the not too distant future sort of put a dampener of things, along with hearing a friend back home was unwell.

Again, I took my own supply of beer to the stadium to avoid the ghastly Chang, as I people watched and made conversation with the locals. 

Sisaket United 1 Kanchanaburi Power 1 (Saturday 28^th September 2024) Thai League 2 (att: 2,424)

Fair play to both sides. A decent enough game to watch. Both teams hit the woodwork and had half chances to win it. Kanch, with some powerful exports to match their title went ahead on the hour, through a header from the big Brazilian defender Jeferson Sousa that went in off the underside of the bar.

Sisaket drew level 10 minutes from time. Abner came off the bench after being missing through injury and made an impact in general, with his low shot from the left hand side of the box having too much strength for keeper Chinnapong Raksri. Adisak, the goalie at the other end was erratic with his distribution and on crosses.

There was plenty of feistiness, especially in the closing stages and as good an atmosphere I’ve been in the stadium. The locals genuinely care. I also had a walk round the perimeter at the interval. The far side had an abundance of beer and food stalls. I managed to find a vendor selling alternatives to Chang behind the main stand. 

I’m glad the game was enjoyable as I had such a nice time having food, drink, and watching rugby league on TV from Australia in Hong Kong Garden in good company before the game that it was a wrench to leave. Back home with my reliable driver in time for the second half of an excellent Arsenal v Leicester City encounter.

Sisaket United 2 Bangkok FC 3 (Sunday 20th October 2024) Thai League 2 (2,258)

An excellent game of football and a very good few hours of fun as Taew and her great-nephew Boet joined me. We headed to Leo’s before the game, for food which both thoroughly enjoyed before being met by Clinton, an online Aussie friend who was on a football and cultural tour of the region.

Danilo latched onto a defensive error after fourteen minutes as Sisaket started like a house on fire. Bangkok were the best side that played at Lamduan Stadium the season before and gradually got into this encounter before Wichaya Pornprasart unleashed a thunderbolt from range leaving keeper Siwat Rawnpa grasping thin air.

A fine move twelve minutes after the restart saw sub, Padungsak Phothinak put the visitors ahead with a header. After that the hosts piled forward, while Bangkok looked likely to score on the break, fluffing several chances. The outstanding Dudu Lima made it 3-1 with thirteen minutes remaining. 

Danilo grabbed one back in additional time, but it proved to be a consolation, in a game where Seiya Kojima, Simon Dia, and Charyl Chappuis stood out for the away team. We returned to Leo’s and dropped our friend off, before Clinton visited us in the country and went for food the following day.

Sisaket United 1 Chonburi 1 (Saturday 26th October 2024) Thail League 2 (att: 2,923)

A game I was really looking forward to, and I wasn’t disappointed. Usual trip through and lunch at Hong Kong Garden. I decided to watch the first half on the open side and the second with the Displaced Supporters behind the goal after the break. Chonburi brought a good support, but their promotion favourites were made to wait until the final minute to draw level.

Substitute, Theerapat Kaewphung fired home an equaliser. The clash between Danilo and visiting centre-back Charlie Clough failed to ignite, with the Brazilian latching on to a ball on the edge of the box and advancing to slot past goalie Noppakun Kadtoon after twelve minutes.

The atmosphere was superb throughout and matched the occasion. Sisaket did their utmost to hang on, but they were eventually found out. I was forming the opinion that it might yet turn into a relegation battle, especially if they continued to invite pressure through their tactics when ahead. The defence was not good enough to keep clean sheets.

Sisaket United 1 Chiangrai United 3 (Wednesday 30th October 2024) Thai League Cup Round of 32

I was hoping for a cup upset with Chiangrai struggling in T1 and fielding a side with many changes from their league lineup. However, coach Narongthanaphorn decided to follow suit. It felt like a very low-key occasion in which Chitchanok Xaysensourinthone put the Beetles ahead after thirteen minutes. 

Sisaket drew level within four minutes through Thaweekun Thong-On, but Chiangrai regained the lead just past the midway mark of the first half with a goal from defender Banphakit Phormmanee, as his side looked a constant danger from set pieces.

Chinese forward Guo Tianyu took plenty of lots of stick from the home fans and reacted to both sides of the ground when he was substituted. I offered him feedback in Thai which on reflection might have had more chance of being understood if I’d shouted at him in English.

His side extended their lead through Carlos Iury, who had come off the bench, with nine minutes left on the clock to progress to the next round.

Siskaet United 1 Trat 0 (Friday 8^th November 2024) Thai League 2 (att: 1,301)

A hard fought and important win for the Lamduan in a scrappy game extremely low in quality at times. The number of passes going astray was remarkable at times in near perfect conditions. The one player to cover himself in glory was Danilo.

It was he who scored escaping his marker to head home a free kick from a well flighted free kick two minutes before the interval. In the second half, the lack of game management from his teammates had the big Brazilian going spare. Sisaket would be in a sorry state without him.

Trat looked a ragbag bunch in physique with their away kit looking like a Sunday League offering. They offered very little, yet the home side only just got over the line against them. At least the home support, while lacking in numbers for some reason, did their bit and created a decent atmosphere.

A good few hours out as ever being fed and watered at Hong Kong Garden where Peter’s choice of tunes akin to Brain Matthew Sound of the Sixties on Radio 2 when I used to visit my dad, so that put a smile on my face. Something we all needed after the world events of the week.

Sisaket United 2 Chanthaburi 1 (Sunday 8th December 2024) Thai League 2 (att: 1,311)

A fitting climax to the end of several weeks of festivities as my wife and I caught up with friends and visited places around the country. A decent game of football as part of a wonderful day out inspired me to pen an article with a tribute to an old friend.

Sisaket United 0 Mahasarakham SBT 0 (Wednesday 12th February 2025) Thai League 2 (att: 1,733)

Since my previous home match, I had been travelling extensively around Thailand. Returning back I was glad to head back into town and visit Peter at Hong Kong Garden before the game. Changes had seen Phipob On-Mo come in as coach and Charlie Clough arriving on loan.

It had been my pleasure to assist him, giving him tips on where to eat and drink. We had met at Leo's a week earlier to say hello and have an enlightening chat. We were to meet after the game back at HKG, and I decided that this was an ideal game to make a video for my YouTube channel focussing on his career and the matchday experience at Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium.

The video for my Youtube channel made at the game

The game ended in stalemate, but not without incident. It was also the first time I'd seen the wholly inadequate VAR system in operation in a Thai League 2 game. The scoreboard wasn't equipped to tell fans what was going on, and judging by the handball that they didn't spot in the Mahasarakham box in stoppage time, they quite frankly didn't know what they were doing.

Sisaket United 2 Chainat Hornbill 1 (Saturday 1st March 2015) Thai League 2 (att: 1,626)

A game with plenty to keep the passionate Saturday night crowd entertained. Sisaket deservedly went in 1-0 ahead at the break, through Abner, and played excellent football. A good stop from Phanumek Palawec in the Hornbill net denied English defender Charlie Clough. 

Chainat had piled on the pressure before that desperate to salvage something from the game as they went into it third from bottom, with Sisaket four points off a playoff position. The leveller came with seven minutes to go after Adisak decided to have his usual brainless ten minutes which caused jitters as Selwan Al Jaberi came off the bench to head home.

From that point, including the eight minutes added on, the game descended into something more akin to basketball as both sides realising that a point was worthless went for it, hell for leather. Danilo was denied before Clough who had converted to the main striker nearly set up the winner. 

The goal came in the ninety-eighth minute when Wongsakorn put away a low cross at the back post as bedlam ensued in the home sections. A brilliant way to end an entertaining match.

My mate John was back from a sabbatical making it even more enjoyable, with a very boozy few hours being added to at Leo’s where the two-hour beer promotion buffet was attacked with gusto and explains my condition today. We were even joined by Charlie Clough, which added to the evening.

 

Chiangmai FC

 

Chiangmai FC is a professional football club based in the beautiful city in the north of Thailand who were formed in 1999 as Chiangmai United FC. The club played in various regional football as the league structure slowly developed in the country.

Some games were played at The Municipality Stadium with others at the 700th Anniversary Stadium just outside town. 

Chiang Mai 700th Anniversary Stadium

In 2009 'The Lanna Tigers' were admitted into the Regional League Northern Division, which is one of four divisions in the third tier of the pyramid in Thailand. In 2010 a new club logo was introduced along with the current club's name. 

Promotion was reached at the end of that season. Unfortunately, their spell in the second tier lasted just one season as they were relegated. Chiangmai had a fine 2012 campaign as they finished top of the table, but they could not continue their form as the play-offs ended in disappointment as they couldn't win promotion. 

However, it was a case of second time lucky in 2013 as once again The Lanna Tigers finished top of the pile, only this time they also topped their playoff group to win promotion to Thai Division One League.

The team continued along in the second tier, with a brush with relegation coming in the 2015 campaign, which was followed by a mid-table finish. The club was purchased by the Boon Rawd Brewery from former president Udonpan Jantaraviroj at the completion of the 2016 season.

The 2017 season was one of disappointment as the team finished in tenth position, with Hristijan Kirovski topping the scoring charts. The new owners were not slow to show their displeasure as three different head coaches were tried throughout the season.

Sugao Kambe had gone by March 2017, to be replaced by Apisit Im-ampai lasted just a month before fellow Thai Choketawee Promrut was appointed. Carlos Eduardo Parreira came in for the 2018 campaign.

Chiangmai finished in third position to win promotion to the top flight of Thai football as Brazilian forward Hiziel Souza Soares was leading scorer. He starred alongside fellow overseas signings Lenny and Cristian.

However, the team lasted only one season at that level with Eliandro top scoring, despite a dramatic final day win against Buriram which denied the Isan powerhouses the title. Surapong Kongthep had replaced Carlos Eduardo Parreira midway through the campaign.

The following season became 2020-21 owing to the Coronavirus pandemic with Tanongsak Prajakkata appointed as the new head coach. The club moved back to the Municipality Stadium while work was undertaken at the 700th Anniversary Stadium. Japanese striker Ryo Matsumura led the goal charts.

Meanwhile, local rivals and new kids on the block Chiangmai United went on to overtake CFC to be promoted to Thai League 1 with United moving into the 700th Anniversary Stadium, while Chiangmai remained in town.

The 2021-22 campaign saw the team slip down the table to finish fourteenth, with Pairoj Borwonwatanadilok in the position of head coach for part of the season. Seiya Sugishita led the goals tally before Jun Fukuda took over team affairs.

The club had been under the control of the BG Sports Company Ltd, the owners of BG Pathum United, for some time, with several loan players being sent north each season. However, in January 2023 BGPU chairman Pavin Bhirombhakdi confirmed that the arrangement would be ending at the end of the 2022-23 season.

To describe the 2023-24 season as a disaster would be kind to Chiangmai FC. Despite reaching the playoffs which ended in a semifinal defeat to Nakhonsi United, the club was in utter turmoil off the pitch, despite BGPU assisting in any non-financial way possible.

 

Yosmaetha Jantaraviroj, the nephew of the former owner, had taken charge of the club and oversaw a catastrophic campaign which led to sponsors being let down, as well as businesses and players being left unpaid.

 

All started well as the team went unbeaten in their first seven games. In October head coach Fukuda was replaced by Albert Garcia Xicota, who in turn lasted until the new year when Nowat Wongaree took over who in turn was soon on his way as Patipat Rorbru became head coach.

The team continued to do its stuff on the pitch, despite players being unpaid. Crowds began to fall through disenchantment of the ownership, while Nattapon Krachangpho was put in charge of the team in March 2024. At the completion of the season, the Thai League acted against the club.

Fans were left in turmoil, and many were left without payment. The club failed to meet licensing regulations and was relegated to Thai League 3 on the proviso that they could meet certain guarantees.

Salvation of sorts came from local club Christ FC who appeared to take over the running of Chiangmai FC, with ownership still unclear, this after ‘Big Sand’ the gent who oversaw the issues while at the helm declared interest from a Brazilian consortium.

The club was given a license to play in T3 with Anan Amornlertsak installed as head coach. To add to their woes Municipality Stadium underwent a refurbishment so home games were switched to Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, some forty minutes out of town which therefore affected the crowd numbers.

Chiangmai FC will be playing in the Thai League 3 North in the 2023-24 season.

My visits

at 700th Anniversary Stadium

Chiangmai FC 2 Uthai Thani Forest 0 (Sunday 1st April 2012) Thai Regional League North Region (att: approx 3,600)

I was in Thailand for a holiday, but most importantly to take part in the 25th Anniversary Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes Tournament with my pals from Yarrambat near Melbourne. It was the seventh consecutive time to Chaing Mai but I'd yet to get to a game. 

The chances looked slim once more, even though the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly (TTM FC) had once again moved, this time to use Chiang Mai as their home city and sharing the 700th Anniversary Stadium in the hope of attracting fans of The Lanna Tigers since their relegation to third tier football. 

Remarkably the fixtures had both teams down for away games, apart from the following Saturday, when I really hoped we'd have a more pressing engagement at the cricket's Finals Day.

I used my newly found Twitter account to ask if anybody knew of any midweek games, and then on the Saturday I arrived in the city I got potentially good news. Chiangmai had reversed their match with Uthai Thani as the visitor's stadium was not ready for the following day with a 6pm kick-off. I had to clear it with my captain.

Daniel Shaw was good about it. We had a match that afternoon against the Lord's Taverners at 3pm and I was in the team. I'd have to leave the Gymkhana ground after a couple of post-match tinnies, offer my apologies, and head off for a shower and get to the ground, on the understanding I'd get back for the team dinner in Loi Kroh Road at around 7.30pm. 

It wasn't perfect and I'd have to leave with at least half an hour to go, but I was delighted with any chance at all. I certainly wasn't going to disrespect our team ethos where we all eat together and stick together through thick and thin.

I left the Pornping Tower Hotel and found a tuk-tuk driver. He told me it was a long way to the 700th Anniversary Stadium and the ride would cost me 300 baht (£6). It seemed a lot but I wasn't going to argue. 

Obviously travelling alone made it more expensive. My driver was right. The stadium was a long way. It took at least twenty minutes to get there. I loved passing the motorbikes carrying fans of all ages with big smiles on their faces, especially when they saw a westerner going to the match.

My driver dropped me by the car and motorcycle park, which seemed to be very busy. I arranged for him to pick me up again at 7.10pm. I went off to have a look outside at the many food stalls outside what looked like a very impressive stadium, which was host to the 1998 Asian Games. 

There were lots of vendors all looking for trade. I got a large cup of coke for 20 baht (40p) and bumped into some other English lads who I later found out ran a Twitter account and lived in the city.

I bought a home shirt which worked out to be excellent value at just £10. The size was perfect, which was rare in my previous experiences of buying replica shirts in Thailand. I paid 80 baht (£1.60) to the young lady at the ticket office window and had my wrist stamped in case I wanted to come back out for refreshments. My ticket allowed me to sit in any public seat in the large main stand.

The 700th Anniversary Stadium had a large stand which followed the curves of the running track and other facilities. The rest of the stadium was a continuous open bowl with higher parts as it joined with the Main Stand. There was an electric scoreboard at one end and a display board at the other. 

Fans were spread out around the arena. The main group of ultras were opposite me, including one man flying a huge flag. Another pocket of vocal fans was located on the upper open terracing to my left. The stadium was worthy of more than Regional League football, which I suppose was why TTM was trying to tap into the city's support.

The teams came out and lined up as is the norm in modern football, with flag bearers at the front. There was an announcement which led to everyone standing up facing the Thai flag at the City End while the national anthem played as was usual everywhere in Thailand at 6pm. Then everyone turned the other way to the scoreboard where a message was displayed. 

I think it must have been in honour of the deceased Princess whose three days of mourning were to start the following Sunday. I was praying it wasn't for any disaster I was unaware of. Everyone I had spoken to fears the ageing revered King Bhumibol passing away while in the country, as it was feared it could provoke civil war and a complete meltdown.

The game itself was very disappointing. The periods of reflection meant my spectating was already being cut. Not to help matters there were several delays which hardly helped, including players milking every foul challenge. 

The stretcher bearers were very busy men. Forest had a couple of extremely animated African imports, especially the one who played up front. I would have sent him off within half an hour for his over-the-top histrionics. Sadly the referee was being hoodwinked by players of both sides.

Chiangmai went one up much to my surprise. I didn't think either side would score. They doubled their lead following some handbags over very little from the penalty spot. The visiting players were doing their utmost to make me dislike them with their antics.

As was usual from previous experiences the crowd had lots of men and women in the crowd. Most were under thirty-five. It was nice to see the players of the clubs' junior sides at the match in full kit. Everyone seemed to have a smile on their faces, which immediately put me in a happy mood.

At half-time, I had another look at the souvenir stand and bought another cold drink before walking around the outside of the stadium. I wasn't going to get the chance to see any more of the match because of the various delays so I thought it worthwhile filling in my time by taking a view from the other side of the stadium while among the Ultras. 

Again, everyone seemed in a good mood. I reckoned that if I went again, I thought I would maybe go down that side. The cost was only 50 baht (£1) but the atmosphere was so much more lively and more conducive to making friends.

I walked round to my pickup point. My diligent driver spotted me. He'd been looking near the Main Stand for me. I must have been easy to pick out in the crowd, especially in my red Scarborough Athletic shirt. I gave him instructions to drop me by McDonalds at the night bazaar. My ride back gave me a proper impression of a city, that I'd only ever scratched the surface of. 

Thai bars were vibrant, and people sat out enjoying their traditional Thai mookata barbeque. Scooters and bikes laden with happy locals rode alongside all with happy faces. It's amazing what happens if you make the effort to smile first. It's something I vowed to remember in England. I even smiled when we went through an extended more local night market.

I was dropped off exactly where I asked. I'd telephoned forward to let the team know I was on my way. I walked around the corner to the Hofbrauhaus, our traditional Sunday evening destination for a good meal and frivolity.

Chiang Mai is a great city. I really enjoyed my matchday experience there. I hoped to go again in the future to see a Chiangmai team in the TPL and not their impostor tenants. I didn't even miss a goal by leaving early!

To see a brief video I took at the game, click here.

Chiangmai FC 0 Army United 2 (Sunday 2nd April 2007) Thai League 2 (att: 3,543)

The opening day of the Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes had gone really well and I was now ready for some relaxation and a game of football. I'd been to the Red Lion to see landlord Kevin Hunt the day before to arrange some transport. All was good.

Plenty gave positive noises about wanting to go to the match, but when push came to shove only Paul 'Hagar' Jones and Terry Kersey turned up at the pub. I apologised to Kevin, who was great. He would drive us in his large car instead.

We were joined by a Swedish expat who also followed the team. Kevin really was a good supporter, telling us of his travels around Thailand with his wife to support the team. Some of the trips and locations sounded fantastic.

He found us a good spot to park up just across from the gates and ticket office. There was time to grab a beer and head inside after purchasing a ticket for 120 Baht; which was around £2.80 at the time.

We chose a decent seat not too far up, but with decent elevation. The centre section was empty. Kevin said there was some consternation among season ticket holders who naturally would have preferred to be in there.

The atmosphere was good all the way through. It was probably a bit too good for the home side, who were to put in an awful performance lacking in virtually every attribute, despite the club spending plenty of money on the squad to chase promotion.

It wasn't too much of a shock when the visitors went ahead on the half-hour mark through Attapong Nooprom, to the joy of the hundred or so Army supporters just along from us. Chiangmai huffed and puffed without looking remotely like scoring.

My friends were having a decent time, even if the match wasn't the best. We had a stretch at the break and went outside to visit the vendors. United boss Thanis Areesngarkul had obviously briefed his team to kill the game. Some of their acting and time-wasting was shocking.

It certainly frustrated the home support and players, who got sucked in to concede a second, when Brazilian forward, Marcos Vinícius made it 2-0. Aphisorn Poomchart had a decent game in midfield for the hosts, but it wasn't to be for him or his side.

At full time Kevin lamented on the performance as he took us back to the Red Lion where we stayed for a couple more beers and a bite to eat before heading off.

at Municipality Stadium

Chiangmai 2 Chainat Hornbill 1 (Saturday 26th November 2022) Thai League 2 (att: 836)

Finally, I got the opportunity to see a game at the Municipality Stadium, years after calling by to take photos there. I had read decent reports and my German friends Thorsten and Maren said that the atmosphere was excellent on their visit a few weeks previously.

I was in town for more cricket, and I was pushing it a bit sleep-wise as I had gone to bed early the previous evening and then got up to watch England v USA in the World Cup at 2am before resuming my slumber.

Fortunately, the evening function at the Gymkhana Club finished early enough for me to imbibe and then order a Bolt cab across town. I was shocked that there was no beer available at the stalls by the stadium, but a quick visit to 7/11 soon sorted me out.

I’d decided to buy a ticket opposite the covered stand, to be nearer the more raucous support. I had also read about the absurdity of the away section right at the back of the curve behind one of the goals, and it really was something to behold. 

Quite rightly, the gaggle of visiting Chainat fans had decided to go into the main stand instead. The view was good in the raised stand I was in, and the whole place felt more homely with plenty of signage leaving nobody in any doubt as to who played there rather than the impressive big but soulless stadium in the outskirts.

As luck would have it, I got a decent game too in return for my 70 Baht ticket. Hornbill’s Thanayut Jittabud shot was well collected by the home stopper, Fahas Bilanglod, who like several of his teammates was on loan from parent club BG Pathum United.

 

It would be the visitors who took the lead four minutes before the break when defender Sarawut Koedsri couldn’t quite intercept a through ball from Chatuphum Kaewklang. Poomipat Kanthanet latched onto it and slotted home to the delight of coach Pannarai Pansiri and his bench.

At the interval, I went for a walk around the perimeter and managed to convince the stewards to allow me up the steps of the main stand to take photos of where I had been watching from. They were initially reluctant until a club ticket seller intervened. 

When the game recommenced a long pass down the left wing released Thammayut Tonkham who then fired in an excellent low cross, which just evaded the efforts of substitute Tawan Khotrsupho who went sliding in.

A lofted ball from the home side found defender Kiratikor Ninlamat out of position with just over an hour on the clock. He hauled down the Korean striker Kim Bo-yong inside the box. Referee Vitsawa Nanchana had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and showing the offender the red card. 

Bo-yong picked himself up and slotted past keeper Chaiyapat Honbanleng to level up the scores. By now the home fans increased the noise levels and really got behind their team, even more so eight minutes later.

A lovely ball by Ronnayod Mingmitwan put in Ryhan Stewart on the right, whose excellent low first-time cross was converted at the back post by Suchanon Malison. Shortly after Stewart cut inside and flashed a left-footed effort just over the bar.

By this point, the Chainat players were beginning to get on the wick of the home crowd with some of their fouls. The worst of which was a horrendous lunging challenge from skipper Apichok Srirawong on Tawan Khotrsupho in stoppage time.

He received a second yellow card and his marching orders, which it looked for all money that a straight red should have been the decision. It mattered not, as a few seconds later the refs whistle for full-time heralded three points for the hosts.

I’d enjoyed myself and decided to walk to find a tuk-tuk, getting slightly lost before finding my bearings by the moat road, where a driver thinking I was an unsuspecting tourist tried to charge me over the odds to the night bazaar, where I was soon back in the bars with my friends.