Sisaket United post August 2024

 

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

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The one-dimensional tactics had done for him as he was withdrawn just after the hour mark as I offered the coach feedback.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.

Samut Prakan City

 

Samut Prakan City FC is a professional football club with an interesting story to its formation in 2018. The origins of Pattaya United FC, who were based in the Nong Prue suburbs of the Gulf seaside town, can be traced back to 1989.

However, owner Tanet Phanichewa decided to disband the club, but keep their license and move them to the south of Bangkok as Samut Prakan City FC. United’s history along with my visit can be read about here.

The club moved into Samut Prakarn SAT Stadium along with Samut Prakan FC. The arena had previously staged top-flight football as home to Osotspa FC who changed their title to Super Power Samut Prakan FC in their second season in residence before morphing into Jumpasri United FC and heading off to Mahasarakham.

The vacancy was obviously noticed by Mr Phanichewa prior to him bringing in new head coach Surapong Kongthep. Investment was made in the team, and City ended the 2019 season in sixth place with Ibson Melo topping the scoring charts.

A Japanese-Thai connection was introduced to the club as new coach Tetsuya Murayama remodelled the squad. His tenure lasted just a few months before being replaced by Masatada Ishii as ‘Sea Fang’ ended again in sixth in 2020-21.

Barros Tardeli had led the scoring while on a one season loan from BG Pathum United. The 2021-22 campaign was a far different affair. Crowds dwindled partly to the COVID-19 pandemic and after early enthusiasm waned.

Yasushi Yoshida was appointed as head coach in December 2021 and despite the goals of Chayawat Srinawong and a late upturn in form, City were relegated on the final day of the season. Wholesale changes were announced at the club in the summer of 2022. 

The owners sold City, who would become a feeder club to Chonburi FC, as many of that club's players were sent on a seasons’ loan. Sharks former assistant coach Jukkapant Punpee was appointed in charge of team affairs at Samut Prakhan.

He was replaced by Kritsakorn Kerdpol and then Tana Chanabut as a dip in form saw City in a battle against relegation. The 2023-24 campaign saw a new owner, Samrit Bunditkitsada, purchase the club. He certainly made an impression, not being slow to court publicity.

Vantawut Whangprasert was appointed as head coach, lasting five months before being replaced by Wanderley Junior. His spell didn’t last until the end of the season, with Vantuwut returning to the dugout as City finished fifteenth with Fernando Viana top scoring.

However, that only tells half the story. Players went unpaid for long periods leading to a clear-out before the 2024-25 season. The club was locked out of Samut Prakan Stadium over non-payment of rent, meaning that they became tenants of Customs United in Lad Krabang.

Samut Prakan City FC will play in Thai League 2 in the 2022-23 season.

My visits

Samut Prakan City 1 Police Tero 1 (Saturday 22nd January 2022) Thai League 1 (att: 486) 

Based in Min Buri directly north of Samut Prakhan, for a couple of months, I decided that with my newfound knowledge of local transport that it was time to venture a little bit further. SAT Stadium previously looked a bit awkward to get to.

A Saturday teatime kick-off was ideal as was the fixture. It gave me a chance to catch up again with Tero and a few of their fans who are friends with a couple of mine, Sean and Tracey Newby.

 

Tickets had to be bought online in advance, but that proved no problem. I plumped for the away zone for 200 THB. Buses and their timetable can be unreliable at best in Bangkok, so I gave myself plenty of wriggle room.

In my favour was a previous trip to FC Bangsaotong, not too far west of this venue. Minburi to Bangkapi is always a piece of cake. The 145 from there can be a bit sketchy, but there were no issues on this occasion. 

Indeed, it was to be my lucky day as the 133 soon pulled up at my stop at Seacon Square. From there I was taken adjacent to the stadium. A Tero fan getting onboard during the ride confirmed all was good.

It was only around 4.30pm, an hour before the scheduled kick-off time. I immediately took a liking to the outside of SAT Stadium while standing on Thepharak Road behind the main stand. I was taken back to the 1980’s in an instant.

It reminded me of the hemmed in streetscene surrounding many inner-city lower division and non-league grounds of that era. The TV crew vans added to the congestion along with pop up stalls vending food and drink. All that was missing was the smell of burgers and Bovril.

Getting stuck into the beers, along with a complimentary nip or two of whisky from the friendly away hardcore fans, a little too easily, I decided to introduce myself to a group of ex-pat away fans I’d seen at Tero’s home game the week before. 

They were an interesting group. Extremely boisterous, including a couple of Hearts fans who’d seemingly fallen out of a time tunnel from the Wheatfield Stand in the late 70s. They were not shy to offer out their thoughts or insults.

A poor Thai couple came walking down the road wearing Port FC shirts. I quickly worked out that this wasn’t the fellas' most favourite club. The kick-off was put back thirty minutes, which added to the session.

We stumbled in as the teams lined up for the King’s Anthem. I was quite impressed with the inside of the venue too. We were down the side towards the corner flag, with a covered seated section further up and then more open accommodation.

The more vocal City fans were based over in the covered stand which ran the full length of the far side. To negate poor views caused by the running track, semi-permanent open stands had been erected square to the goal lines. 

Evandro Paulista had the first effort of the game for Tero, with his low shot being safely gathered by keeper Patiwat Khammai. A direct curling free kick at the other end struck the top of the frame of Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool’s goal.

Paulista gave his side the lead when he rose like a salmon at the back post to head a home a delicious bending cross from Ekkachai Sumrei on seventeen minutes as he climbed above his marker to put the ball in off the post.

 

Hathairattanakool looked confident in dealing with a couple of threats, but he was caught out lingering with the ball at his feet. Chatri Rattanawong dispossed him but could not slot the ball into the vacant goal from a wide angle.

Daisuke Sakai then stung the palms of the visiting stopper, who nearly palmed the ball over his own line. A wonderful little reverse pass put in City’s Kevin Ingreso. The shot from the BG Pathum United loanee flew across the face of goal.

 

At the interval we popped back out to the stall and then managed to circumnavigate the stadium booze rules by adding a coke top to disguise the Leos to our pints with permission from the stewards. I guess this camouflage was in case the TV cameras panned round!

Into the second half a combination of ricochets and brave defending somehow denied Ingreso from restoring parity. The hosts’ task was made harder just before the hour mark when Chaiyawat Buran picked up a silly yellow card and was dismissed. 

Chayawat Srinawong missed a guilt edged chance to level things up when fed by a perfect cross from Settawut Wongsai along the carpet, but the substitute scuffed his effort wide with the goal at his mercy.

Seven minutes from time Samut Prakan got the equaliser that their performance probably merited. A fine cross curling away from the keeper by Suphanan Bureerat allowed Srinawong to make amends as he headed home. 

Tero’s fine away support continued to get behind their side, but they must have feared the worst as pressure continued to mount. Hathairattanakool got a poor punch on a cross, the ball was fired back in where an intended goalward deflection from Aris Zarifovic was gratefully pounced on by the custodian.

Referee Sahapop Sriboonlue blew for full time after five minutes additional time. 1-1 was a fair result. My alcohol content decreed a taxi a good idea. I had an invite to a party at my local bar. A messy evening ensued.

Samut Prakan City 0 Customs United 3 (Sunday 11^th September 2022) Thai League 2 (att: 232) 

There had been much upheaval at Samut Prakan City FC following their relegation to the second tier, with Chonburi FC taking up ownership and sending several of their players on loan. I was keen to see how it affected things.

Especially as I had been to see local rivals Customs the week before and had left very impressed by their own overhaul during the close season. And best of all, I had sussed out a cheap and easy way to reach the stadium. 

Shaking off a bit of a hangover I pressed myself into action. The incessant rain had stopped, it was a lovely afternoon as I headed to the van station at the top end of Minburi Market, from where we were away on a full bus within minutes.

I messaged my Aussie pal Vaughan McClear to tell him my plans and he got straight back to say he would meet me at the ground. The van sped without any traffic issues to Market Village Suvarnabhumi in Bang Na.

A return trip from Chonburi after an international had opened this route to me a few months earlier and it only cost 30 baht. From there I crossed the bridge over the busy Bang Na-Chonburi expressway to have a quick browse around the interesting Kingkaew Market.

Before long the 132 bus arrived and took me the rest of the way for a further 20 baht. So 50 baht all in when a taxi back last time cost me over 400 baht. I arrived with over an hour and a half before the kick off time but this was all part of my plan. 

The area around the stadium had intrigued me on my earlier visits, so I was keen to explore, especially some of the establishments shown on Google Maps were no longer in business following the Covid pandemic.

Bang Phli Market just south of the arena was bustling, mainly dealing in fresh foods. The streets of the area, along with adjoining alleys, were my perfect way of seeing what I call real Thailand. Communities getting on with their business and chatting away.

The smiles and hellos I received gladdening the heart as I meandered just generally filling in time, passing a couple of snooker halls, numerous coffee, and smoothie shops, and lots of general stores who somehow keep going, which is always a mystery to me as to how they manage.

But manage they do, as Thais are a resilient bunch. I had been a laid down with a 24 hour bug a few days earlier, so I was keeping street food to a minimum. I went for the rather safe but dull option of toasties from 7/11. Incredible to think I virtually lived on such food before my eyes and mind were opened. 

Vaughan arrived and parked up as I finished a beer as I explained to him the story behind the clubs and current form etc. The hosts, who my brother thought David Bowie had written a song about, cam into the game winless, whereas United were unbeated.

Tickets were 80 baht on the Popular Side among the noisy City fans. We grabbed a beer and took up a pew on the back row. While low in numbers the fans made an absolute din with leaders on megaphones accompanied by drums. It was so loud that it was hard to strike up a conversation. 

City came close to taking the lead in the sixth minute when a low shot from Warakorn Thongbai was fumbled by keeper Sumethee Khokpho, with Passakorn Sripudpong somehow managing to spoon the follow up over the bar.

At the other end Japanese midfielder Daisuke Sakai saw his effort easily saved by Thatpicha Auksornsri. Yotsakorn Burapha saw a low left footed effort go narrowly wide for the hosts before another effort from outside the box just missed at the other side of the goal. 

City were in the ascendency but were missing a finisher. I later learned that their main forward was out injured. His presence could have been a game changer, but we will never know. Customs classy David Cuerva stung the hands of Auksornsri as half time approached.

At the break Vaughan and I replenished our cups, and I had a chat with some pleasant expat City fans who seemed a cheerful bunch. We moved a bit further along after the restart, so we were able to have a proper chat. 

Customs looked a different side after the break. They saw a shot fumbled wide by Auksornsri before taking the lead on forty-nine minutes. A corner from Sakai was nodded home at the near post by top scorer Phodchara Chainarong, one of five United players on loan from Port FC. Only his marker Phanthamit Praphanth can explain what he thought he was doing.

Cuerva had a low bending shot pushed around the post before it became 0-2 on sixty-five minutes. A cross at the second attempt from Chainarong was cleverly turned in at the near post by fellow Port loanee Sittha Boonlha. 

A low effort from Rachata Moraksa was powerful enough but was straight at keeper Khokpho. With six minutes remaining United expended their lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances when a shot from Sakai took a wicked deflection off the head of Nattapong Phephat to leave goalie Auksornsri helpless.

Burapha saw a shot well blocked in the final action of the game. A 0-3 reversal was harsh on City, but they missed their chances and were made to pay. United portrayed the qualities of a good team when winning convincingly when playing averagely.

Vaughan kindly dropped me back to Market Village where I caught the van back to Minburi with minutes to spare. The driver had been correct on the way down when telling me I would be OK at 9pm! I spent the remainder of an enjoyable day watching a great England Test match performance. A really good Sunday all round.

Samut Prakan City 1 Rajpracha 0 (Friday 11th November 2022) Thai League 2 (att: 129)

My friend Gary was down from Buriram for a football weekend before meeting up with Ryd, a mutual friend from Scarborough at Suvarnabhumi Airport on the Sunday morning. This was a natural choice of fixture as he had never visited Samut Prakan Stadium. 

Neither had Steve, another friend of us both, so he decided to jump onboard once the pair of us had been for a quick look round Minburi Market. My Google map directions were not the best and led to us taking a long route before we eventually got on the main road which heads towards Chonburi.

We still had plenty of time before kickoff, and it was good to meet up with loyal City fan and Twitter friend Phil Williams and his wife Tun as we grabbed a beer before going into the stands. It was only a couple of weeks since my previous visit as the stadium hosted FC Bangsaotong inthe Thai FA Cup.

There had been more in attendance to see a non-league team, which must have worried those in charge of Samut Prakan City. That said, those in attendance really got behind their side who put in a decent performance in response.

Supawat Yokakul in goal for the hosts was first into the action having to tip over an overhit cross from under his own bar. A fine break started by Rachata Moraksa saw Nititorn Sripraman being put in. His effort was saved by Pathomtat Sudprasert with the follow up by Sho Shimoji hitting his own player on the deck and bouncing over the bar. 

Nigerian midfielder Evans Aneni was a quality act in midfield for the hosts in what was a most watchable encounter with the red sky in the distance providing a stunning backdrop. The visitors somehow spurned the opportunity to take the lead three minutes before the interval.

A deep cross was laid back by Pinyo Inpinit to Ronnachai Rangsiyo in the middle of the goal just two yards out. He managed to hit the feet of keeper Yokakul. At the break Phil thought that the ball had crossed the line. Either way, it was a shocking effort.

 

The goalie didn’t reappear for the second half, and surprisingly nor did Aneni. Five minutes after the restart a lovely slide rule pass from Praphanth put in Shimoji who dinked his effort past the oncoming Sudprasert but past the post.

Atthawit Sukchuai for Rajpracha brought out the best of sub keeper Ratchaphol Namthong. At the other end Yotsakorn Burapha controlled a shot and smashed his effort aginst the crossbar with the goalkeeper rooted to his line. 

The winner arrived ten minutes from time, when Kriangkrai Pimrat who fed fellow substitute Phanthamit Praphanth who banged his left footed shot away into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Supawit Romphopak had a chance to level things up but he shot tamely straight at Namthong as City hung on to probably deserve all three points. We all enjoyed the game, the atmosphere and venue. 

The way back to Minburi was made interesting by poor directional skills, which saw us get jammed by a khlong bridge next to an interesting bar. The girls working there certainly seemed bewildered. We eventually returned for Gary and I, to have beers with my girlfriend Taew at her Minburi bar.

Samut Prakan City 2 Chiangmai United 1 (Saturday 2^nd September 2023) Thai League 2 (att: 494) 

Well, I thought I’d seen some stuff over the years, but as I often say in Thailand: never presume. The hosts probably overall deserved the victory gained through a fine early strike from Sangjin Lee and then a header from Fernando Viana. The visitors struck back through Marlon Silva seven minutes after the restart, but that was only half of the story.

The atmosphere had been great despite a small gate, with the locals knowing how to make a din. The game wasn’t the worst either with the home side near the wrong end of the table up against the away team who were near the playoff zone and looked extremely useful when I saw them win away on the opening day of the season.

 

City had missed a guilt edge chance at 2-0 to finish off the game, but on the hour mark I had Chiang Mai down for at least a draw. Indeed, I was doing “live” reports back to my mate to edit for our Thai Football Podcast which is out on Wednesday, and I was about to offer my predictions when all hell broke loose.

Prakan scored with a well taken lob, but the CMU players were most unimpressed, haranguing the linesman, with referee Satchukorn Saenchu heading over. The officials ushered the players away and then had a discussion of a few minutes. VAR is not used in the second tier of Thai football, but between them they decided to chalk off the goal. 

Cue, the management of SPC completely losing the plot with the near side linesman and fourth official before they ordered their players off the pitch and refused to continue. It was a disgrace, embarrassing, and shambolic. I’ve no idea how it was resolved but after a lengthy delay the game resumed.

The final half hour was not good to watch. It turned into a contest of who could con the weak officials the most. My mood wasn’t the best after the incident anyway, so the theatrics didn’t help. CMU had a goal disallowed, for pushing from a set piece, before the whistle eventually went to signal happy celebrations among the home players and fans. It left a bitter taste in my mouth.

It was a shame. City have been taken over by new owners who have given the stadium a facelift and there was a positive vibe about the place. However, they had an incident with officials the previous week, and their opening day win at Pattaya was marred with off field hassle. 

Then the previous week to my visit, the coaches had been embroiled in arguments with the match officials in the away game at Nakhonsi United. The Chaingmai game made it three times in four weeks, and they did seem to be attracting bother.

My Video Roving Report for A Thai Football Podcast

My appearance was opportune for the podcast I was co-hosting as I was originally planning to go to Rayong v Nakhonsi but a friend's plan changed so my wife and I returned from Bangsaray so I could still get to a match.

My journey to Bang Pli was via Bangkapi and then a ride on the new Yellow Line Monorail before disembarking past Seacon Square and catching the 133 bus. I returned by taxi to the village retail park where a minivan and then taxi took me home.

An eventful evening!