Five Regions Stadium is a football venue across the Chaophya River in the district of Nonthaburi in the Thai capital of Bangkok.
VRN Muangnont, formerly carried the prefix of STK, opening the venue as their academy with two full sized pitches, along with a couple with artificial surfaces, changing rooms, accommodation and social facilities. Five Regions Stadium was an impressive venue.
I’d dipped out of heading to Five Regions Stadium earlier in the tournament. It looked difficult by public transport. That was until I had discovered I could catch a minivan from near home direct to Pak Kret over the other side of the Chao Phraya River.
Another huge storm dropped on us as the van progressed along Ram Inthra. I was tempted to bail out and head home, but the forecast showed signs of improvement and the game was enticing as it would see Minburi United progress with a draw. Bangkapi needed a win.
I walked over Rama IV Bridge and continued to what turned out to be a busy industrial road. Fortunately, a taxi driver was sat on his break at the roadside and made himself available. Google Maps did the trick directing us up narrow lanes.
My driver risked his suspension on the bumpy approach to the ground before depositing me. The venue had two pitches, the second one of which was severely waterlogged. I headed for the covered spectator accommodation, which was not unlike the structure at Airport Stadium in Sam Wa.
A long low cover had a balcony with cover above it in the centre section. There were decent facilities with food and drink available. Over the other side were three small sided artificial pitches with the STK Muangmont Academy buildings at the other side.
A man who along with his wife sported a Port FC training top chatted to me in good English. They lived in Samut Prakan, while his son Suwijak Tipsana was playing for Minburi United. Other members of the family joined them, and they all seemed very pleasant.
I hadn’t even heard of United, despite living in Minburi until the start of the competition as they didn’t appear to play in any league that I was aware of. This put me in a spot. Two local teams. Who to go for? The family won me over, but it wouldn’t end my world either way.
The game kicked off, with it soon apparent that the pitch was verging on unplayable as you can see from this video. Fair dos to both clubs, the officials and groundstaff for wanting to get it on.
It was a decent standard in comparison to other games I’d attended at the same stage. United looked the better of the two sides. The game would change in dramatic circumstances seven minutes before the interval.
Bangkapi left back Kiadtisuk Seenunejan took what looked like a harmless free kick just inside his own half by the touchline. He launched the ball forward. Despite it being boggy in parts, it was firm in others. The ball skipped viciously and proved too strong for keeper Udomchok Sitthimanee.
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| Seenunejan opens the scoring as Bangkapi's photographer Pon Boomdaddy catches me on camera |
I was caught on camera behind the happy scorer by the excellent Bangkapi photographer. The goal seemed to galvanise the leading team. A half volley was also shot just wide before the interval.
I’d nibbled on some deep fried fritters which I coated with a bit too much chili sauce. I’m not sure what was in them, but they did the job, before I returned upstairs for the start of the second period. The Muangmont academy players provided entertainment over the back. I have to say they were being trained very well.
The first action of the second half saw a low skidding shot from Bangkapi’s sub Thanakorn Pheuansopa was turned round the post by Sitthimanee. A couple of efforts also went close as the team adopted a shoot on sight policy in the difficult conditions.
Bangkapi were also adept in game management. Their skipper Pramual Sriboon was constantly in the ear of referee Boonsong Prachumrak, who ideally could have been stronger, especially as the game progressed.
Bangkapi thought they’d doubled their lead when a parry was followed up and put away, but the linesman had his flag up for offside. Sitthimanee then pulled off a good save to deny half time sub Phutaress Chantasom as the female fans screamed for their favourites.
It was then the turn of Prachaya Somboondee of Bangkapi to be denied by another save. United seemed to take heart from their keeper and began to launch some attacks of their own before they drew level.
Ra-Chan Pomfhang went on a fine run down the right wing on sixty-four minutes before crossing to the far post by Tipsana who volleyed home past keeper Ruangyot Noppakaow, much to the delight of his family.
For a few minutes I thought that the Minburi side could go on and win. The Bangkapi goal had a close escape before they elder more experienced side regathered their poise going on to retake the lead midway through the half.
Sarayut Trongdee wriggled to the byline. He delivered a hard cross which Seenunejan forced over the line with his body at the back post. It was a classic game. Poor conditions with real jeopardy depending on the result. It remained that way with just two minutes of normal time remaining.
Bangkapi’s players had a habit of falling over to get the physio on. Finally, the ref instructed players to leave the pitch on a stretcher to get on with things. Minburi were chasing the game and their desperation led to the decisive moment.
The ball was lost in midfield, Arthit Permsomboon scooped it forward to put Jettipat Wongyee through on goal, where he made no mistake in making the score 3-1. I headed round to enjoy the last few minutes on the banking behind the goal.
The scoring was rounded off in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Chantasom volleyed home at the far post despite the best efforts of Sitthimanee who apart from the first goal had a fine afternoon between the sticks.
The match was a great advert for local amateur football. I would think that all the players and officials would have been thoroughly worn out on Saturday night. I ordered a Bolt taxi as a kind local shopkeeper gave me a seat to wait on.
I was dropped off in Pak Kred and headed back home by van ready for a clean-up and some refreshments and music in my favourite bar.