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The one-dimensional tactics had done for him as he was withdrawn just after the hour mark as I offered the coach feedback.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

Kanchanaburi Power

Dragon Pathumwan Kanchanaburi is a professional football club based in the famous tourist military city of Kanchanaburi that was formed in 2017 as Singha Golden Bells Muangkan playing home games at Kanchanaburi Municipality Stadium.

The team entered the Western Region of the Thailand Amateur League in 2018, finishing second in their group, before posting the same position in 2019 after being defeated in the regional final by Kanjanapat in Ayutthaya.

Their performance was enough to win promotion to Thai League 3 Western Region, where under their new title of Singha Golden Bells Kanchanaburi the team finished in fourth place in the 2020-21 campaign with Nattapong Kumnaet finishing as top scorer with Pannarai Pansiri overlooking team affairs after taking over from Nakorn Choosoon.

Brazilian forward Lucas Massaro topped the scoring charts in 2021-22 which saw Kitnarong Haolert replace Pansiri halfway through the season with Kanchanaburi finishing in fourth spot prior to big changes before 2022-23 got underway.

The club title was changed to Dragon Pathumwan Kanchanaburi, leading to much conjecture about the future of the club with Pathumwan being an area of central Bangkok. Coach Pansiri returned for a second spell at the helm before he was replaced a few games in by Yai Ninwong.

The goals of Sergei Tumasyan fired the side to the West region title, going on to finish second in their Champions League playoff group. An aggregate win over Pattaya Dolphins United saw Kanchanaburi promoted to Thai League 2, at which point the club moved across the city to take up residency at Kanchanaburi Province Stadium.

Brazilian head coach Douglas Rodrigues was appointed, lasting until February 2024 when he was replaced by Ranon Intharatul. The side finished thirteenth in the league as Ricardo Pires but had an incredible run in the FA Cup, which led to the final at Ratchaburi against Bangkok United.

Pires put his side ahead before United were awarded a penalty in very controversial circumstances through the intervention of VAR. They would eventually lift the cup after penalties. DP Kanchanburi were left distraught and furious.

For the 2024-25 season, the club changed its name to Kanchanburi Power as Nattapong Todsanit was appointed as head coach before the return of Ranon in October 2024.

Dragon Pathumwan Kanchanaburi FC will play in Thai League 3 Western Region in the 2022-23 season.

My visit

Kanchanaburi Municipality Stadium

Dragon Pathumwan Kanchanaburi 2 Suphanburi 1 (Wednesday 19th October 2022) Thai League Cup Playoff Round (att: 186)

Trying to decide on which Revo League Cup to head to was not made easy by the Thai League website not showing fixtures a few days before the matches were scheduled. I wanted to go somewhere different, so I headed to individual club Facebook pages.

This match looked like just the job with a 3pm kick off and allowing me to catch a bus back to Bangkok after the game to save on the expense of an overnight stay. The club were most helpful in replying to my enquiry as to which stadium would be used, so they got my vote.

 

It worked out well as my cricket pal Troy and his son Matthew were staying in central Bangkok, so I met them for breakfast on the way for the bus. I was in rather better physical shape than I had feared having had my football comeback cancelled the previous teatime.

Though not quite as good as I should have been, but I deserve little sympathy for staying out too late. I got into town ahead of schedule via bus and boat meeting my pals ready for a nice catch up and brekkie at The Sportsman, my first fry up for five months! 

Saying farewell, I caught the BTS to Ari and then a bus the rather convoluted route to Mo Chit minibus station. There was still time to catch the 10am service, an hour earlier than I had anticipated. Years working on the tube had taught me to always travel as early as possible to avoid later snags.

Unfortunately, my seat was on the wheel arch. Luckily the one next to it was vacant, at least until the western suburbs when another bloke needed it. To be honest it wasn’t a great trip, as my new friend stank, some young kids were mucking about, and a German behind didn’t shut up. The perils of a lack of sleep had come home to roost.

The good news was that the driver sped like he was on a promise at the other end and got us to the destination for 12.30. Part of my malaise had been caused by leaving my reading glasses at home. A decent pair with also dealt with the sun were purchased from near the bus station before I got on my skates.

It was time to discover a part of Kanchanaburi my previous visits hadn’t seen. The paper mill museum looked closed with the works derelict, but never mind. The JEATH War Museum was behind it, so I wandered down to pay 50 Baht for a look round.

A stark reminder of the awful conditions the prisoner of war and locals had to endure was planted firmly in my mind as I popped next door for quick call to Wat Chai Chumphon, a pretty temple with a great horse statue.

Song Kwae Maeklong Skywalk on my Google map looked interesting, so I headed down to the banks of the river Kwai. The eating options seemed plentiful overlooking the water, though I opted for the less salubrious place across Songkwai Road.

My pad krapow moo with friend egg and a water cost a princely 60 Baht and was delicious. I was then over the road to pay another 60 Baht to go up in the lift to stretch on the skywalk, where I got a bit of a shock.

I had not factored in that the walk was thick glass and therefore see through. I must admit to being a little wobbly and hanging onto the rail while trying not to look down. I’m glad I did it for the views and experience, but I was also happy to return to solid ground.

A couple of young female Suphanburi fans were kind enough to take me a photo while up there, before I headed across Somdet Phra Sangharaja Yannasangwon Bridge and ended up in an area that was being prepared for some kind of car racing by the looks of it.

Crossing Linchang-Khao Pun Road I arrived at the main entrance to the vast grounds of Kanchanaburi Provincial Stadium. The young pair asked who I was cheering for, so I presume away fans were being charged more. I was happy with the 50 baht fee. The location was stunning with branches of the river behind the main stand on the far side.

The stadium itself was showing signs of age, with a dated stand and a cinder track that was half grown over. A couple of recent covers, one for away fans, had been added on the far side. The dragon livery was on show in plenty of places to make it feel like a real home.

Sitting down with a coke on what was a steaming hot day with a small merciful breeze, I reflected on how local football had changed since my visit the previous April when Muangkhan United just missed out on a place in the League 2 playoffs. 

Kanchanaburi City won promotion from the Thailand Amateur League to gain a place in League 3 alongside the renamed Dragon Pathumwan meaning there were three professional clubs representing the city. Until Muangkhan pulled out with financial issues.

Going into this game DP Kanchanaburi, as the name is abbreviated to, were midtable in the Western Region third tier, with Suphanburi relegated from League 1 the previous season now three points from the top of League 2. They were the obvious favourites in this tie.

 

Either side saw efforts off target in the opening stages before the hosts took the lead on seven minutes when a cracking half volley cross shot from Nattapong Kumnaet flew into the far corner. Keeper Kiattisak Pimyoth didn’t stand a chance.

Up front the Russian former North Bangkok University striker Sergei Tumasyan and partner Taiga Matsunaga were causing havoc with energy and clever play for the home team. It was Matsunaga who doubled the lead on nine minutes after a header from a corner was pushed away by Pimyoth for the Japanese forward to pounce.

A fine one two between the forward partners saw a Matsunaga cross find Kumnaet free in the box. His scuffed volley has fumbled by the keeper who grabbed it at the second attempt before Sirichai Lamphuttha had chance to put the ball away.

The visiting War Elephant halved the deficit at the halfway stage of the first period when a low shot from twenty-five yards by Nethithorn Kaewcharoen evaded home goalie Theerapat Sonjai and nestle in the bottom corner. 

The Dragons responded through Teerapat Chadphuk who went on a strong run which ended in him blasting over, at which point referee Boonsong Prachumrak took the players off for a short timely drinks break.

Tumasyan, whose play Id enjoyed when I saw him in action in the past, then went just wide with an effort from the edge of the box. I had to giggle when Suphanburi forward Prasit Pattanatanawisut was injured in a challenge that saw him roll off the pitch.

 

He was looking to get the offender a yellow card, but the ref told them to get on with the game while the player was treated. The free kick was taken as he wasn’t on the field with Pattanatanawisut up and about and ready to play again within a few seconds.

After the halftime break the game seemed very open. Some excellent play from the all action Matsunaga led to a desperate hoof clear. The visitors started to build momentum with Kanchanaburi defending wholeheartedly. 

Kittipong Wongma shot over as the pressure intensified while frustrations began to come to the surface as a bit of needle crept it, which added to the dynamics as far as a neutral was concerned. Tumasyan knew every trick to crank up his opponents and was using plenty of them.

Kanchanaburi continued to defend well with Matsunaga doing a great job taking the ball with him and causing problems. A deep cross was spilt by Sonjai but he recovered to keep out an effort from Panutach Rungjang.

As the game entered four minutes of additional time, substitute Anuwat Matarat tried a shot from range to try and extend the lead. And that was that. The Dragons deservedly won, against a slightly weakened side from a division above.

After the game I walked back to the bus station and managed to get a decent seat on the 6pm bus and get over an hour’s kip on the way back to Mo Chit. I was hungry and thirsty enough to head to my favourite Minburi establishment. A good end to a grand day out.