Roi Et Alan
FC is a semi-professional football club, formed in 2026, from the city of Roi
Et in Northeastern Thailand. The club gained entry into the 2026 Thai Semi-Pro
League, playing home matches at Pride Arena Stadium, where Roi Et PB United are
also tenants. Alan Shop, the owners of the club, are a clothing manufacturing company with branches in Roi
Et and Mahasarakham, which specialises in making bespoke sports kits.
My visit
Roi Et Alan 0
Sisaket City 2
Wednesday 6th May 2026
Thai Semi-Pro League Northeast
👨👨👧👧 875 🎟️ 50 THB (£1.20) My first
game of the 2026 Semi-Pro League, and what a cracker it was. Each club plays
six games, three at home and three away, regardless of how many clubs enter
each of the six regions. This is to give the champs in each section time to
prepare for life in Thai League 3.
Last season was elongated in certain regions, which saw promoted sides struggle with just a few weeks to sign players and then having to wait until
the mid-season window was open. The new system is unfortunate for those who are
drawn against stronger outfits, but that is the luck of the draw. As it
happens, eleven sides entered the Northeast section of the competition, with
the hosts coming into the game fancying their chances of going top of the
table. However, the Sisaket side had other ideas, wanting to build on their
weekend victory at Amnat Charoen in this clash between the home side Black Squirrels and the Stone Castle Warriors.
In the
opening exchanges, the hosts looked good, but City had two lads up front with
pace to burn. They took the lead with a contender for goal of the season, as
midfielder Wanattanan Jhantasorn controlled the ball wide on the edge of the
box, flicked it up, and fired a spectacular shot into the far top corner. The goal was
applauded by all sections of the crowd, particularly the fifteen or so
youngsters not involved in the named squad from Sisaket who were quick to
acknowledge my presence wearing a replica shirt I’d bought when watching them a
couple of seasons back.
Nathakhon
Phrommawong should have doubled the lead when sent through, but his second
touch allowed goalie Teeranit Udomrak and his defenders to scramble away the
danger. Every time Alan, owned by Alan Shop, who manufactures kits, attacked,
they looked dangerous, with City stopper, Peerapath A-Sarast, looking small and
vulnerable. The action
was non-stop with tackles flying in as referee Komkrit Sawong did his best to
let the game flow. No foreign players are allowed in the competition.Most sides in T3 and upwards have them in
their team, with Brazilians being the most used nationality. They bring skill
but also lots of diving and histrionics. None of which were on display in this
encounter.
The second
half was dominated in an attacking sense by the Roi Et side, but they could not
find a goal. One chance that went begging should really have been put away. As
the pressure mounted, Sisaket were awarded a penalty when an effort on goal was
deemed to have been handled. Wisanuphong
Priwan slotted home the spot kick in the final minute of normal time. His side
is now left with two simple home games if form is anything to go by and an away
game in neighbouring Ubon Ratchthani against leaders Warim Chamrap, which could
well decide who goes up to the pro ranks.
It said
something about the encounter that my mates, Dale of A Thai Football Podcast,
along with Roi Et PB United fans, Glen and Wigan Steve, were mightily impressed.
Indeed, the two locals said it was probably the best game they had seen at the
stadium this season. Bargain of
the season for those interested was the purchase of a home team shirt for 189
baht (£4.30), which included a match ticket. Plenty took up the offer, while
the beer and food vendors also did well outside, with fans being able to take
their drinks to their seats.
My wife and
I had travelled for three hours in the morning, stopping in Yasothon for pork
khao soi noodle soup and some sightseeing, before meeting up with friends at
the hotel and then heading to a western-style bar for food and drinks. Post-match,
we went to a huge open-fronted restaurant with live music, lots of customers,
and plenty of space. Great local food, matched by the prices, with the Sisaket
squad all trooping in before their journey home. Nice that the players, coach
and his assistants all acknowledged us.
Back home
Thursday morning, after breakfast by the lake in the city centre, and then a
journey that, for some reason, seemed to take forever! I should be fighting fit
for golf and football on Sunday.
Old Blood FC
is an amateur football club, based in the Sam Wa district of northeast Bangkok,
that was formed in 2020 as an academy. The club introduced an open-age side
that entered the Thonburi League in 2026, being placed in Group D.
They also
entered the Semipro League for 2026, with hopes of being promoted to the Thai
League 3, with home games being played at Ratchakram Stadium, where PTU Pathumthani plied their trade.
Despite
nursing a horrific hangover, I wasn’t going to refuse an opportunity to get out
and about when back at Hat Hai Rat. My luck was in. Just one match was being
played in the league all weekend, and it was at a ground I’d not previously
visited. Even better, it was just a ten-minute cab ride away.
I’d arrived
by taxi with soft drinks and snacks at Old Blood Stadium and academy, focused
on serving its local community in northwest Bangkok. They seemed to have got it right on this
showing, with their senior team going top of their group in the amateur
competition, playing good football against a decent away side.
The away keeper made a good stop from Old Blood’s number 20 in the opening exchanges before
Phonput put his side ahead, tricking the goalie at his near post after ten
minutes. The lead was doubled in the twenty-fifth minute when Prachya scored a
superb goal, bending his effort into the top corner from distance.
Anubis had
older players on show. Their 21 was tall, skilful and rangy. The keeper was a
bit too smart for his own good with his feet, leading to some frantic defending
on a hot afternoon, with an occasional pleasant breeze, as planes descended
into Suvarnabhumi in the distance.
After an
hour, Anubis pulled a goal back, before the hosts extended their lead again
when Jack’s saved shot was followed up by Phonput. The away side continued to
press but found themselves exposed at the back. Harry’s sublime skills set
up Peath, who was denied by some brave goalkeeping.
The
excitable Harry, who picked up a yellow card for a daft challenge, continued to
torment his opponents, while what seemed like an endless supply of volunteers
ran around carrying out tasks, at the properly organised club, which went top
of their group with the win.
It was a
wonderful experience as a visitor. Small covered seating areas to watch from, a
warm welcome, a pitch-side open-fronted restaurant and bar, a TV showing the
previous night’s FA Cup, plus it has changing rooms at a venue close to the
people it serves. I would most certainly return.
At full time,
I went for a short walk back along Thanon Thai Raman from the ground back to
Hat Hai Rat before catching a taxi back towards home. I alighted at the 7/11 at the end of our village to buy khao moo daeng for tea from an excellent outdoor stall. Unbelievably, two Old Blood players were already sitting down and getting stuck into their meal!
My brief report from the match and my reflection on the experience that fans will encounter can be heard on the episode of A Thai Football Podcast.
Bangkok AFC is an amateur league team that originated from the Bangkok Football Academy (BFA), which is currently a member of the Thonburi League. In the 2026 season, they used the MRTA Football Field on Rama IX.
The side reached the quarter finals of the Thonburi Champions League in 2024, where their hopes of honours ended against Thonburi University, before being defeated by Kratoomrai Academy in 2025 after a fine campaign in Zone C.
My visit
Bangkok AFC 3 Minburi City 1
Sunday 22nd March 2026
Thonburi League Group C
👨👨👧👧 c25 🎟️ Free
My latest delve into the Thonburi League during a visit to Bangkok saw me enjoy a very pleasant couple of hours watching an amateur game near the city centre, where Minburi City, a team I used to go and see, were in action. A good game too in the searing heat with goalmouth action and plenty of skill.
The Thonburi League is a competition, nominally at level 5 in Thailand, along with a couple of other self-run regional leagues. Some teams use the competition to prepare for the regional Semi-pro League, from which the winners are promoted into the regional Thai League 3. Thai Leagues 1 and 2 are national.
It is a well-run competition, with plenty of teams on each of its five equal sections, divided according to location. Admission is free at games, and all the venues are of reasonable quality, with every game having a full team of officials.
Rolling subs are permitted until the final ten minutes of the game, which protects against the heat and ensures everyone gets a decent game. Something for the English FA to ponder so that players don't continually move from club to club in the quest for a regular run. It certainly gave me plenty to report on for my updates to A Thai Football Podcast.
This match started with Minburi looking far better than I remembered previously, with an African coach at the helm. However, fielding three 15-year-olds from their academy owing to absence would prove to be their undoing.
The first of which, a goalie was completely out of his depth, something the BAFC players quickly sussed after what looked like a harmless shot from outside the box from the number 9 found the net.
Chaos ensued when the second goal crossed the line despite the best attempts of a defender and the woodwork to keep it out after another goalkeeping fumble. I had a good view of proceedings from one of the raised open bleachers, after being invited to sit there by Bee, the Minburi City club manager.
When the club was formed, I’d bought a team shirt. When I attended a game in the old Amateur League, the club presented me with a cap and all kinds of souvenirs. Therefore, on this occasion, it was lovely to be remembered and welcomed by Bee, who was surprised by my appearance.
He was filming the game, which featured a team predominantly made up of Africans, and asked me why I wasn’t wearing my shirt. I explained I was now living in Sisaket but was staying at our Minburi condo, when the fixture caught my attention and fitted perfectly into my plans.
Back on the pitch, the amiable, larger-than-life coach, who looked to me for support and some kind of suggestion in exasperation at his team’s failings, had replaced the goalie. The new one was more experienced, but not great. I empathised greatly with my new friend!
After the drinks break, it was 3-0 when a Bangkok player went clean through. They should have added to their tally, but too many players started showing off their range of tricks rather than getting the job done, as can often occur if a team senses they have an easy win on their hands.
After the break, a mixture of luck, desperate defending, unorthodox goalkeeping, and some clever forward play saw Minburi perform much better. They got a goal back and then saw the BAFC make a couple of good saves, while another shot thundered back off the bar.
A player arrived with fifteen minutes to go, got changed and went on. If he had been there earlier, it could have made a big difference. Overall, I really enjoyed myself in excellent company, as well as ticking off a new ground for me in the MRTA Fitness Park, which carried the fitting title of the ‘Stadium of Spirit’.
It was nicely set out with a huge lake behind one goal and the backdrop of the city at the other end. Post-match, I headed off to my second game of the day, which turned out to be an amazing occasion as Police Tero took on Sisaket United, while I was among the incredible away support.
My YouTube video captures my experience from the game
SK46 Football Field, as the name suggests, is a football venue in the Sai Mai district of North Bangkok, located at the bottom of Soi 46 off Sai Mai Road. Any club can hire the ground, as was the case when I visited for the first time. It sometimes hosts games in the Thonburi League as well as countless friendlies.
Two-storey buildings on two sides containing academy classrooms, VIP rooms, changing rooms, a fitness centre and even a cold tub, gave it an enclosed feel. It is home to the Prataungtip FC academy, in collaboration with Pratuangthip Wittaya School, as well as being the base of Chiang Rai United in the capital.
It has floodlights atop concrete telegraph poles, with high netting hanging from them all the way around the pitch. This is a common feature at Thai amateur venues, and while it can be like watching a game through a chip pan, lots of time is saved, and balls don’t go missing. There is also a 7-a-side real grass field in situ.
Other facilities include an air-conditioned clubhouse for supporters to wait, work, and eat comfortably, along with Wi-Fi and private and shared restrooms, making it one of the better grounds for teams wanting to hire somewhere.
My visit
Poma FC 1 Pathumthani FC 7
Wednesday 18th March 2026
Friendly
👨👨👧👧 c15 🎟️ Free
This game provided an unexpected opportunity to see a game at a venue in Sai Mai, not too far from our Minburi condo, which I’ve never previously visited after it appeared on the Twitter account of @FutbologyThai, who’s well worth a follow, especially if you are thinking of attending games in the Land of Smiles.
It was a good standard too, especially with no admission charge, with Poma currently leading their section in the Thonburi League, playing some good stuff, taking the lead before Pathumthani, gearing up for their Semi-Pro League campaign in the hope of joining the professional ranks, tore them apart.
The opening goal came via a fine shot from the Poma 22 from outside the box before Pathumthani levelled things up and then failed to take a backward step. They wore maroon and black without numbers on their shirts, while Poma were in a fetching orange, blue and white stripe kit.
It was a hot late afternoon, which saw a linesman facing the sun donning a baseball cap, with a cooling break being taken midway through the first half. I took advantage of sitting in the shade behind the goal with a fan blowing cool air. The splendid SK 46 Stadium ticked all the boxes for football at this level.
It was 2-1 at the break and 3-1 pretty soon after, this after a 30-yard free kick cannoned back off a post. I’ll be interested to see how Pathumthani go in their quest to play Thai League 3 football. Poma are no mugs, but they were put to the sword by a talented outfit. The third goal was a back-post volley after the skipper delivered a delicious Liam Brady-esque chip to the unmarked man.
4-1 came about after a corner was not cleared, with a low shot that was out of reach of the goalie. Multiple subs followed. Poma seemed to give everyone a run, including a pint-sized goalie, whereas the victors had a much stronger squad who made hay while the sun continued to shine in the last twenty minutes.
Shots pinged off the metal frame of the goal at regular intervals, with the replacement skipper for Pathumthani skilfully beating the defence to set up a colleague in the middle who smashed the ball home. The sixth was a shot too high for the keeper to reach, with the seventh a low shot that squirmed under him after he and the defence tried to emulate PSG, but as slowly as an HGV. They were inevitably caught out.
A grand, long day out after setting off from our overnight stop near Buriram at 6am. Some shopping for cheddar and a bottle of red will ensure that the missus can enjoy a relaxing Thursday night. Unless, of course, a match appears on Twitter.
Football support often comes down to geography, family, or circumstance. Some people inherit clubs through generations, while others discover new allegiances later in life.
In my case, moving to Sisaket in rural Thailand unexpectedly gave me not one local club to follow, but two.
Attending a Sisaket FC match in 2018 I'm not sure the stadium has been cleaned since
In my case, I am a Scarborough fan, as were all the elder members of my family, with Hull City offering me the chance of some bigger games on a visit to a larger place. When I moved to London, it was Hendon that I had an affection for when I couldn’t travel north.
My holidays to Thailand saw me get to any games I could, eager for new adventures and to find unknown pleasures. Port FC became my favourite side, as they offered me the best matchday experience in Bangkok. However, things changed halfway through 2022.
I had met and become close to a lady while I lived in Minburi, who suggested we might enjoy life together in her home province of Sisaket. I visited the city on a whistlestop Isan tour in 2018 and took in a game against Nakhon Ratchasima in the League Cup. The city seemed fine to me, and the people were warm and friendly, so why not give it a go?
The Fall of Sisaket FC
Things developed pretty quickly between the two of us, as I fell in love with the people and the country life I was being offered, with the added chance to go and watch some football. It was the season that Sisaket FC were to fold, be disbanded and thrown out of Thai League 3 after a massive wrangle and dispute with Esan United.
They had enjoyed a good history, previously playing in the top tier of Thai football, and filled the stadium on occasions, losing 1-0 to Buriram United in the 2015 League Cup final. Fortunately, another club, Sisaket United, formed in 2012, took over sole tenancy of the dated and dirty Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium and reached the playoffs in 2022-23, my first season of watching them.
What came as a shock when my future wife drove me around the area was that there was a second club playing in town in a huge stadium that I was previously unaware of. Rasisalai United were competing in their debut season in the Thai League 3.
The more modern SAT Stadium
This was great news, especially after moving full-time to the area in February 2023, as it meant that there were two teams to go and watch. I quickly worked out that it would be possible to get to see games at Ubon UMT Stadium and other venues in the nearby cities once dropped off in Kanthararom, twenty minutes from us.
Sisaket is mad about football, with the province being fiercely proud of its people and teams that represent it. I often tell friends about its vibe, being one of community and taking me back to being a youngster in England, before attitudes and cultures changed for the worse. I quickly discovered that quite a few people went to watch whoever was playing, whether it be Sisaket or Rasisalai.
Looking towards "our" VIP seats
The following season, Rasi, a town around 40km from Sisaket city, had a distinctly average season, in front of crowds of around 300. Because their town has no suitable venue, they continued to play at the SAT Stadium in Sisaket.
Sisaket United had a superb season, winning promotion and finishing overall runners-up in Thai League 3. While the tactics of coach “Pat” could sometimes be dull, they were effective, with the excellent Matteus Panigazzi and Danilo leading the way.
Naturally, interest grew along with attendance in the second tier. Rasi owner, the often-excitable Nuchanart Jaruwongsatian, was not about to see her club left behind. Arnon Bandasak was installed as coach, along with the arrival of three Brazilians: Ramon Mesquita, Gilberto Macena, and Alberto Gouvea.
My pal, John, and I had met Alberto going into a Sisaket match and asked him how he thought he would get on. He was no joker. Alberto smashed through the twenty-goal mark as Rasisalai swept teams aside on the way to becoming national Thai League 3 champions.
Derby Day, and more importantly, a quality deal at a quality bar to get into the mood. Football will always be far more than 90 minutes to me. It's a day out.
The team did even better than Sisaket had the season before, becoming national Thai League 3 champions as crowds grew, merchandise sales rocketed, and opponents were regularly swept aside. All this while Sisaket finished outside the playoffs despite showing promise on occasions.
Derby Days in Sisaket
The local derby between the two sides early in the 2025-26 season attracted an official crowd of 4,458, to which a thousand can be added, as kids don’t pay. They played out a magnificent 3-3 draw, while “Uncle Chuay”, the new coach of Sisaket United, formerly in charge of Sisaket FC, oversaw an improvement in their fortunes.
A big crowd at the derby
With one game before the mid-season break, Rasisalai sit at the top of the table and are still unbeaten, with Sisaket in third place. Two sides are promoted automatically, with the next four entering the playoffs. We are being spoilt for entertainment and matchdays in town.
Two Clubs, Two Different Experiences
The two experiences do differ. As mentioned, Sisaket’s home is decrepit, filthy, and a health hazard. It has a track around the pitch, but importantly, the stands are in a straight line, meaning not too much distance from the pitch.
The fans are generally older, following the province’s traditional club, and are extremely passionate and vocal, with officials and visiting players being left in no doubt that they are the enemies. It’s horrible, the toilets are shocking, and the pitch is a disgrace, with some crazy people adding to the entertainment. I love it, especially on the open side.
The SAT Stadium is a bowl with curved stands around its running track, meaning it is a far greater distance from the pitch, and lacking in intensity, despite plenty of noise being made. The fans are generally younger and more polite.
We sit every game in the VIP area, near the partners and families of the players, basically because we did when hardly anyone attended, so we continued to do so, becoming accepted as part of the furniture.
What will happen if one or both clubs win promotion to League 1 is anyone’s guess. It will take a lot of money to improve the squads. Questions are already being asked about whether the overseas players, now advancing in years, could cope at a higher level.
The pitch at Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium Even worse than normal
Why Football Means More Than Results
Football has always been about more than the match itself for me. The beers beforehand, the conversations, the travelling to the ground, the familiar faces — that’s the real attraction.
Football day is my day out, and I must enjoy it. Results don’t matter if I have a good day. You see, we’re all different.
Why I Love Living in Sisaket
And that I think is why I love living in Sisaket so much. We have a small golf course, so we can enjoy a round. There is great food to be had, with bars too. It’s easy to walk up to the stadium and drink outside or take a beer to our seats. There is no hassle with tickets, and we get to know regulars. It’s the ideal size for me. I do worry some of it might diminish if either side went up, along with some heavy defeats on the pitch.
Under a Blood Red Sky at Sisaket United
The good thing is, I have the fallback of knowing that teams like Kanthararom United will enter the FA Cup along with amateur sides from Ubon Ratchathani, with a semipro league entertaining me in the new year, with the chance of a few days finding new bars and restaurants, making new friends, as well as an occasional game of golf.
Best of all, I live among people who love their football in whichever way they choose to support their local teams.
I guess I’m
the sort of bloke for whom the phrase, more clubs than Jack Nicklaus was invented.
The truth is, I love football and go out of my way to have a good day when
going to a match. Over the years, I’ve grown fond of many clubs, whether just
passing through for the day or going to watch them regularly.
This might
be because the locals have gone out of their way to give me a warm welcome, or
the atmosphere at a game has been superb. Sometimes it’s the quality of the nearby pubs
or a town that has captured my heartstrings. On other occasions, it might be
because a mate supports a particular team, and I don’t like seeing them sad.
In
my later years, I cannot understand the mentality behind the pleasure that some derive from baiting
others over a football result or things going wrong. As for anyone who describes this as being "only banter", well, I would ban them from social media or stadiums for a
year. Those, along with any wrong ’uns I cross paths with, are welcome to suffer at full-time every week.
As a
traditionalist, Futera United are everything that I should dislike. They are a
club run on the 3Web, digitally, and they embrace cryptocurrency and NFTs, which
are tokens purchased by those wishing to become holders, or members, in old money. Essentially, Futera is fan-owned, but in a
modern way that can lead to old-school football fans screaming. They have a huge
following online and sell a ridiculous amount of merchandise, appealing to the
younger generation, rather than crusties who turn their hog out if a club doesn't issue a programme.
The club
appeared on Talksport’s Hawksbee & Jacobs afternoon show on a feature about trading cards, as Futera is a company that produces them, and is the finance
behind the football club. Their holders can have their say on tactics,
selection, formations, kits, and lots of other things. There are Futera NFT
holders all around the world who watch their matches live on different
streaming services. How far the club can go remains to be seen.
I first met
founder Mark Watson at a game in March 2013, when the original club, Futera
Seeker, played in the old third-tier Thai Regional League Central West Region.
I went to an away game, and Mark let me in behind the scenes to see how
matchdays operated. I couldn’t quite believe what I was seeing.
Back then, holders
could vote and offer their input during a game. Mark monitored it all on a
laptop in the press area and then contacted the coach on the bench by walkie-talkie
to implement changes while the match was in progress. Unbelievable if I hadn’t
experienced it with my own eyes.
Seeker went
alone, before Futera United was reborn, starting in the lower divisions of the
amateur Bangkok Premier League. The club entered the FA Cup in 2022-23, losing 3-0 away to Sisaket United, which was a credible result against a side that would
reach the Thai League 3 playoffs a few months later.
The club
entered the Thai Semipro League the following season, and again in 2024-25,
which is where they were the beneficiaries of extra promotion places being
available. As Futera is run well, they went up in third place, despite
finishing with less organised outfits, making the Bangkok University Stadium
their home ground as they re-entered professional football.
The story was one that I loved, with the sheer positivity and having the confidence to think outside the box, especially in Thailand, a country notorious for being stuck in its ways. It led me to make a video about it all for my YouTube channel.
The start of the 2025-26 season was tough, despite scoring plenty of goals, owing to a leaky defence, poor game management, and some goalkeeping best forgotten about. It’s fair to say that some refereeing decisions not awarded were also a reason for their indifferent results. It would be their fifth match before they picked up a point, going on to draw twice more. The most recent of which was against the only side below them on goal difference, Singburi Warriors, despite dominating much of the game.
The reason
that I can describe much of the above is that the Thai League, through the
telecom company AIS, shows every single game live free of charge on TV through
a box which is cheap to get hold of, or on their App. I generally watch the
afternoon Futera game in our local pre-match pub of choice, before heading off
to watch Sisaket United or Rasisalai United. It’s a magnificent service.
Anyway, with
me heading to Bangkok with my wife to meet up with friends before flying to
Chiang Mai to celebrate my sixtieth birthday over a cricket weekend, I decided
it was time for Futera to get my support in the flesh, joined by my good mate
Jarvo, over from the UK and going to his first Thai football game.
What we
experienced was one of the more bizarre games of football I've seen in
Thailand, and there have been plenty to choose from. Three sending-offs in the
first half, eight goals, and the woodwork being struck six or seven times, in a
game that both sides were desperate not to lose.
The visiting
goalie, Rungarun Sumala, was shown a red card in the second minute, after he
handled outside the box to deny a goalscoring opportunity. He stood motionless,
not quite believing what was happening. How ironic, when attending a game featuring
the most modern of clubs, that we were about to be treated to something that
took me back to when I think football was better.
Chaos
ensued because Saraburi didn’t have a goalkeeper on the bench. In the end, it was
decided that the captain and defender, Yuttapong Srilakon, would go between the
sticks after a delay of over ten minutes, as he added to the indignity of
Rungarun by changing into his pink shorts and socks.
Bureaucracy gone mad,
especially when he then donned a yellow shirt that clashed with the colour worn
by the match officials. A shout of “get on with it” was aired, which meant that
another expat was in attendance, or a Thai had spent the summer at Headingley.
Whatever
Yuttapong’s respective qualities are in defence remained to be seen, but it's fair to say that he wasn't
great as a goalkeeper. He fumbled the weak resulting free kick, allowing Pharanyou
Sawatpakdee to tap in from close range. The stand-in tipped a shot over the
bar, before it was 2-0 once the corner was swung in as Nattawut Jandit pounced
at the back post. We purred with delight at what we were about to receive.
There have
been great memories of makeshift goalies being heroes over the years. Vinnie
Jones for Wimbledon at Newcastle, Bobby Moore for West Ham against Stoke, saving
a penalty from some bloke called Bernard, and of course Mitch Cook’s heroic performance
replacing broken leg victim Kevin Blackwell for Scarborough away at Scunthorpe.
This was not to be another to add to the list.
Play
meanwhile in Bangkok’s northernmost suburbs was getting tetchy. Referee Dassakhon
Hokla wasn’t particularly covering himself in glory, with his weak match
management. He sent off home player Songkhun Khongsukko and away man Nitibodin
Makot for a set-to, which involved nearly everyone on the pitch. There were
fifteen minutes of additional time at the end of the half. Sarankrit Artwichien
extended the lead in the third, with a fine low finish.
I was
certainly not short of material for my Roving Report for A Thai Football Podcast. The one dampener was that owner Mark was away on business and missed
the match. I’m sure he would have enjoyed sitting in relaxed mode in the stand.
It was great fun, with ice-cold Leo’s lubricating the larynx regularly.
The second
half was wide open as the match ball collected splinters coming back repeatedly off the
post and bar, with the keepers at both ends well beaten. Sarankrit made it 4-0
seven minutes in, before a fifth was added by substitute, Kawee Deesawat, with
around twenty-five minutes remaining.
Credit to
Saraburi, who were cheered on without much restraint by a healthy turnout,
despite requests to respect the passing of Queen Sirikit. They continued to
plug away and had a couple of decent efforts saved before the break, before
they got one back through Nattapoom Naya three minutes from time. He added
another four minutes into stoppage time, with one wondering what might have
been if they had penetrated the often-unreliable Futera defence earlier.
It was excellent entertainment all told, albeit not a great advert for a professional league at times, as time seemed not to matter. A vital win for Futera, in a battle to secure safety, which would mark a decent return and something to build on, while their association with the PSW Academy continues to flourish.
A Grab taxi
arrived to take us away, as one had delivered us at the splendid Bangkok
University Stadium and campus earlier. More enjoyment followed after a ride on
the BTS Skytrain with a proper catch-up and plenty more beers at a couple of
bars at Lat Phrao.
Pretty much
the perfect day out until Mark messaged me with the desperately sad news that
the father of Futera player, Sarawin Sungkhao, had been killed in a road
accident, while thought to be on the way to the match, being a supporter who rarely missed a game. This
article is dedicated to the players, families, and all at Futera United.
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