Rangsit University Stadium (Bangkok)

Rangsit University Stadium is a multi-purpose venue on the campus serving its educational establishment, with its main use staging football matches. It was the home of Rangsit University FC which was used for Thai League football.

It carried on staging University matches while the club changed their name to the iCon RSU which instead used Bangkok University Stadium to play its home games when they returned to Thai League 3 in 2023-24.  

My visit

Minburi City 3 Krungthep FC 1 (Friday 29^th April 2022) Thailand Amateur League Bangkok Perimeter Group E (att: 150)

 

I’d grown an attachment to my local team Minburi City, who were well organised off the pitch, if sometimes lacking in ability on it. The Thailand Amateur League offered a long-winded chance of promotion to the professional ranks, and I was delighted to head along to support the team.

It was the start for most of the seventy-five regional groups containing three or four teams. Round-robin games were to be played in each group, with the winners then progressing to the knockout rounds. I received the usual excellent information before setting out on my trip.

 

The games in the competition were being played at neutral venues, quite often with two games on the same day offering plenty of entertainment to anyone who wanted to watch and take advantage of free entry and lots of enthusiasm.

It was a combination of local transport and then a taxi that delivered me to Rangsit University Stadium, of which my previous experiences can be read about here. I was in a reasonable time for kick-off, wearing my Minburi City replica shirt. As I sat down in the stand, a young lady approached me bearing gifts. 

I was awarded a face mask, scarf, and baseball cap, all with the club logo on them, which I found to be extremely generous and made me cheer the team even more. Especially as they were going to need all the help that they could receive over the next ninety minutes.

It looked like it was going to be an extremely tough ask after Krungthep went ahead after twenty-seven minutes through centre-forward Sorrowat Srichompoo. However, Minuri had strengthened their squad and had added experience in the shape of Manop Klaykaew who was to have a huge effect on the contest. 

Minburi equalise from the penalty spot

He levelled things up from the penalty spot eight minutes before the interval before letting his enthusiasm get the better of him five minutes later. He put in a rash challenge in an attacking position which referee Danai Yommool decided warranted a red card. I thought it was an extremely harsh decision.

The player came and sat in the stand and didn’t seem too perturbed which was probably a clearer indication. It was going to be a long second half in extreme heat. I went to the nearby 7/11 at the interval to restock with refreshments before returning to my concrete pew. 

Minburi’s task was assisted when Sornsiri Proaybumrung of Krungthep was dismissed. Back with equal numbers, my local team grew in strength and began to forge some chances. Manit Saengcnan put them ahead before substitute, Natee Thongkaew, rounded off the scoring in stoppage time.

I was delighted for owner Neti and coach Narinsak Norin. The players celebrated by jumping in wheelie bins full of ice and water to cool down. I had my photo taken by the club on the track. It had been an excellent game, and I set about getting a taxi. 

I initially directed to Rangsit market by mistake, when I wanted Future Mall. A minivan taking the shortest route took me back to my condo for a shower and change before going to have food and drinks with friends, including my wife-to-be, even though neither of us knew it at the time.

Phranakhon Rajabhat University

Phranakhon Rajabhat University is part of the Rajabhat Universities System, which has six such institutes in Bangkok and another thirty-five across Thailand. While they are a place of education, the majority also have a football team as part of it.

As far as my research lets me see, Phranakhon Rajabhat play in university football competitions. The Bangkok campus is located on Thanon Chaeng Wattana in the Lak si district of the city.

My visit

Phranakhon Rajabhat University 1 Minburi City 2 (Thursday 27th October 2022) Friendly (att; c40) 

I’m prone to doing crazy things in general, but especially if it involves getting to football. Nevertheless, I still got some strange looks when I announced in my local bar that I would be walking over 18km to this match.

I needed the exercise and thought it an excellent way to discover properly what was along Ram Inthra. I certainly got to see lots of half-built skytrain stations and plenty of construction works as well as several 7/11s where I purchased water and energy drinks. 

By the top of Nawamin Road, a couple of young Minburi City players were on their motorbikes and offered me a ride. They were somewhat bewildered when I told them my plan of action, but they seemed like good lads anyway.

At the foot of the Wat Phra Sri Mahathat station, I purchased probably the best chicken in breadcrumbs on a stick I’d ever tasted, and they were cheap too. It was definitely one to remember whenever I was passing in the future.

My actual arrival didn’t go according to plan as I entered via the Satit Phra Nakhon school, going past many students indulged in sport, only to find that there was no way through at the end, so I had to retrace my footsteps.

Eventually, I found the entrance to the venue after buying provisions at the University’s 7/11. I’d passed the ground several times in the past and it looked decent enough with several metal-type bleachers with cover down one side, which is where I headed for. 

I received the usual warm welcome from the Minburi officials, and the two players from earlier gave me a wave. The university certainly looked a cracker with great facilities, which is more than can be said about the pitch with no lines, so cones were used to mark the perimeter, and longish grass.

In the early stages, Minburi’s 32 disposed a defender and put in 29 whose chip clipped the top of the home side crossbar. The player wearing 14 for Phranakhon saw his low shot tipped round by the City keeper in the number 13 top.

 

16 for the host's shot over the high net fencing and into the busy Chaeng Wattana, with someone having to dodge six lanes of traffic to retrieve the ball. That was probably as interesting as the first half got before the players sat on the grass and listened to their respective coaches at the interval.

The visitors took the lead when the seventeen-year-old forward, Saengarun "Saeng" Oadpim kept his cool to finish after nearly being hacked down. The visitors were playing some lovely stuff as 1 showed great skill to cross for 15 who came close to converting at the near post. 

But just as they looked comfortable, a strong header from a free kick allowed Phranakhon’s 9 to score, colliding with the keeper at the same time, as both players needed quite a bit of treatment before continuing.

Oadpim restored the Minburi lead, thumping his chance home after more fine work from 1, who was prominent after the break. 15 for the away side also impressed with his guile and control on the ball.

 

The home team came close as their 13 fired a shot across the face of the goal in the closing stages. At full time I accepted a request for a quick interview on my thoughts of how the game went for the impressive Minburi City social media platforms.

It was time for me to head back, as I walked through the grounds of the university to the main Phanon Yothin Road, where I caught the number 26 bus home. There was no chance I was walking in both directions!

Minburi City

 

Minburi City FC is an amateur football club representing the district of Minburi in Bangkok, Thailand that was formed in 2021 by football enthusiasts with a background in mainstream media and sports media studies, including club manager Neti.

Its aim was to establish a good standard first team as well as offering development opportunities for local youths. To that end, an academy was quickly set up. Narinsak Norin was appointed as City's head coach.

City played in the 2022 Thailand Amateur League, finishing second in Bangkok Group E. After that they entered the 2022-23 FA Cup, going out to Prime Bangkok who provided a harsh lesson in the difference in abilities in a game played at Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University.

They went on to play in the Semipro League in the same season using the KMITL Stadium in Lad Krabang as their home venue, with the team finishing in fifth place. From then on the club appeared to concentrate on their academy structure.Stadium

My visits

At Vichupa Field 5

Minburi City 3 Pivo V Revolution 0 (Wednesday 19th January) Friendly (att: c25)

I thought my luck at seeing a midweek game was out when BG Pathum United v Port was postponed owing to Covid in the FA Cup. However, Facebook came up trumps with a late arranged friendly.

The newly formed club of my home district were due to commence in the fourth tier Thai Amateur League a couple of months later and were keen to get a match in. Off I set by bus, gradually getting more confident of my orientation around the capital. 

I finally found the venue after going to the wrong one with the same name; Vichupa Field. My first attempt was not far off Ram Inthra, where the youth team of Bangkok United were getting changed after their training or game.

Off I set on foot for around twenty-five minutes, wary of barking soi dogs and following directions on the Minburi City Facebook page. I eventually found the right place. Both grounds had multiple pitches which all had netting around them and small stands covered in canopy for spectators.

Admission was free into Vichupa Field 5. I immediately recognised the City players from their kit. I took up a place under the canopy. The Minburi media machine was in full mode as a cameraman filmed the coach’s team talk.

I knew that they were a well-organised club from their social media output. I would have been to see their inaugural game the previous Boxing Day, but a social invite had put pay to that. They were offering exclusive access and information to any early fans.

Their opponents for this encounter wore a mismatched kit. From research, I struggled to find out if they played in a competition or were just a recreational side. Pivo started alright with a couple of breakaway attacks, but Minburi were clearly the better side.

They gradually took control firing in a couple of wide shots, one of which forced a save from the Pivo keeper. I recognised the referee and at least one of the linesmen from their officiating at games of SPA Srongpol.

Neti, City’s club manager joined me for a chat. He was a pleasant chap who spoke good English from his time studying at the University of Liverpool. He also had connections with the Cricket Authority of Thailand and had visited my favourite Gymkhana Club in Chiang Mai to assist with cricket tournament administration.

The friendly boss explained that his side was depleted owing to positive C19 tests throughout the squad. The match was played with rolling subs to give everyone a fair go, which I heartily approve of in amateur Thai friendlies as well as the Bangkok Premier League.

The ground was a decent set up to watch football, even if I had to apply plentiful anti-mosquito spray to my legs. The spectator accommodation was built down one side into a natural bank with Vichupa 4 pitch behind it.

City went ahead when the pace of number 24 saw him progress down the left wing with his low centre reaching number 9 who slotted home. A cross-shot from the “hosts” then came back off the crossbar. 

Me being interviewed at half-time

The lead should have been doubled when number 28 dribbled and then laid square to Minburi's 28 who fired over open goal. However, the score was soon 2-0 when a defensive error was pounced upon by number 24 who smashed home.

At the half-time break, I was delighted to take part in an interview with Neti on the pitch asking about my interest in local football and support for Minburi City and how I’d heard about them. All good for club PR.

The scoring was rounded off to complete a comprehensive win when number 8 saw his shot saved by the legs of the Pivo keeper. The Reds number 14 was on hand to put away the rebound.

Despite City missing several players, they had been far too good for their opponents. I found nice people running the club. They were still not sure of a permanent ground for their club, though the 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Minburi was mentioned.

I had an interesting walk back to the bus, trying not to disturb any more erratic dogs as I headed to Nawamin Road, walking a fair distance along it before the arrival of the number 96 service to take me home.

At Kanjanapat Arena

Minburi City 2 Bangkapi FC 2 (Saturday 19th February 2022) Friendly (att: c40)

City kindly sent me a message about this friendly, which had a relatively rare 3pm kick-off. Their social media was top-class. It was easy enough to get to the Kanjanapat Arena with a ten-minute walk from Ram Inthra once I’d left the number 26 bus.

I found a tidy enough little local league venue where I opted for the shade on the near touchline with City’s club manager Neti and the goalkeeping coach, who also doubled up looking after Bangkok United’s under-19 stoppers.

I was treated to a decent local derby. Bangkapi took the lead when a shot from number 16 proved too hot to handle for the City keeper after he had earlier made a save when faced with a forward through on goal.

However, a shocking error from the stopper led to Bangkapi doubling their lead after a shocking first touch and attempted pass. Bangkapi’s number 47 slotted into an empty net. It could have been much worse for Minburi as their opponents had a goal ruled out for offside. 

Bangkapi deservedly went in 2-0 up before the interval. I popped outside the ground to visit the shop and clubroom of Chibuna FC where I purchased an excellent pizza and bottle of pop to enjoy while watching the restart.

Some of Chibuna’s academy side were training on the ground's second pitch at what that club called the Shibuna Arena Football Stadium. I retook my position with my new friends. I don’t think they had been massively impressed by City’s first-half showing.

After the restart, Minburi showed more intent and purpose as a decent-sized crowd consisting of several families looked on. They reduced the arrears when number 14 smashed home an absolute beauty.

City equalised in controversial circumstances. The linesman flagged so everyone stopped, even though the referee waved his arms to play on, apart from a Minburi player who collected the ball out wide and ran unchallenged towards goal to score.

The ref went over to speak with his colleague before awarding the goal. Surely a lesson in the old age adage of always playing until you hear the ref’s whistle. A few tempers were raised in the searing temperatures as Bangkapi went in search of a winner.

Just how a local derby should be! I thought it an excellent game and experience all around. I enjoyed the actual match, had some nice food and had an enlightening chat about the attitude of foreign imports with the goalie coach. I caught the bus back from a stop near Siam Park.

At Insee Chantarasatit Stadium

Kasetsart University 5 Minburi City 0 (Friday 18th March 2022) Friendly (att: c40)

An entertaining enough Friday night out in which the better more organised side had deservedly won. 

Please click here and scroll down for a full description and images from this game.

At Rangsit University Stadium

Minburi City 3 Krungthep FC 1 (Friday 29th April 2022) Thailand Amateur League Bangkok Group E (att: c100)

My adventures and report of this wonderful afternoon can be read about here.

Kasetsart FC

 

Kasetsart FC is a football club who represent Kasetsart University, which is located to the north of the centre of the Thai capital of Bangkok. The club were formed in 1988, playing against similar organisations.

The 2007 campaign saw the team located at the university's Kampaeng Saen campus in Nakhon Pathom before a move to Insee Chantarasatit Stadium back in Bangkok. In 2008 Kasetsart won the Khǒr Royal Cup and also won a place in the Regional League Division Two for the following season.

After a couple of seasons of disappointment, the 2011 campaign ended with 'The Emerald Nagas' finishing top of the Bangkok Area division. Sadly the play-offs ended in disaster, with the team faring badly on the pitch

It also saw and their home Insee Chantarasatit Stadium being badly damaged by the city's floods, with the team having to return for the 2012 season to the Nakhon Pathom campus. The campaign ended in agony as Kasetsart missed out on a play-off place on the final day.

After repairs were made, Kasetsart returned to their traditional home for the 2013 season. However, the club aimed high as the club embarked on a successful season as they reached the play-off rounds for promotion. 

They decided to build a new stand in readiness for the potential of Division One football. The team lost out and the stadium was not completed leading to Kasetsart taking a sabbatical from league action in 2014.

TOT Stadium. Kasetsart's home from 2017 to 2019

The team returned to the Regional League Bangkok Metropolitan Region in 2015, finishing the campaign in fourth position while returning to the Nakhon Pathom campus for the year. This was followed up by a runners-up slot in 2016, back in Bangkok.

Thai league football was restructured for the 2017 season. The club changed their title from Kasetsart University FC to Kasetsart FC and moved to the TOT Stadium a mile away in Chaeng Watthana as they were placed in the second tier Thai League 2.

Meanwhile, an academy was set up, which would provide players for the continued Kasetsart University amateur team. They would go on to compete in the Thailand Amateur League. In 2022 the Academy team finished second in Bangkok Group A.

Meanwhile, the Kasetsart FC team that eventually finished in thirteenth place was led by Yuthapong Boon-amporn until April 2017 when replaced by Chusak Sriphum. A third different coach; Adul Luekijna took over from August as Jonatan Ferreira Reis.

The 2018 campaign saw Kasetsart finish in an identical position as the previous season. Kayne Vincent was the top scorer under Brazilian coach Fernando who departed at the end of the season.

In 2019 the team attracted the second lowest attendances in the second tier as they weighed in with a twelfth place slot with Brazilian Alexandre Balotelli the marquee signing with both Somdet Hitates and Warit Boonsripitayanon having spells as coach.

Thai coach Paniphon Kerdyam was placed in charge of the team for the 2020-21 season with loan signing Ailton and Apiwit Samurmuen tucking away the goals. Further improvements saw a return to Insee Chantarasatit Stadium as Kasetsart finished fourteenth.

An improvement of just one place in 2021-22 saw the appointment of interim head coaches Itthipol Nonsiri and Sarawut Janthapan before the seasons end. Anuruck Srikerd took charge in the 2022-23 campaign as Mateus Totô led the scoring. The team escaped relegation on goal difference thanks to a final day win.

Srikerd was dismissed in September 2023 and replaced by Chusak Sriphum who was dismissed a few months later. His successor was Ekaphan Inthasen. His tenure saw a 10-1 mauling away to Nongbua Pitchaya in what was a disastrous season for the club.

Players were left unpaid with the Thai FA helping with payments as Kasetsart announced that they were resigning from the league. Pattaraphon Naprasert was put in charge of the side from March 2024 who finished third from bottom, before they were spared from relegation following Chiangmai FC being demoted for failing to meet license criteria.

Initially, Kasetsart waivered but then decided to accept their reprieve as new investors arrived at the club. Santi Chaiyaphuak was given the position of head coach as performances on the pitch improved.

Kasetsart FC will play in Thai League 2 in the 2024-25 season.

My visits

Wednesday 27th March 2013

I awoke after a good night in Bangkok in the early part of my three weeks cricketing tour ready to visit some football stadiums. Planning while in the UK meant that I thought my task would be relatively easy. The sun was blazing down, with even the locals commenting on how hot it was.

A good lunch was a necessity as I had slept in through breakfast, so I wandered round to see my old mate Brian Walker at the Crossbar. Like many of my acquaintances, he shook his head when I told him my plans for the afternoon and evening. 

I realise everyone has their own hobbies, but I couldn't think of anything better than broadening my knowledge and seeing parts of a city that its inhabitants couldn't be bothered with.

Fully fed and watered I headed for the MRT subway to make the first leg of my journey a little easier. I took the train from Sukhumvit to Pahon Yothin, where I flagged down a taxi. Now I knew from experience that Bangkok taxi drivers could be very knowledgeable or next to useless, but I thought a self-explanatory map for a ride of no more than two miles would be easy enough. Alas, no.

My driver took me to what I knew was the wrong side of the main road heading out of town, but there was no getting through to him. He dropped me outside a huge corporate complex, where even the guards seemed to agree with him. I paid him up and looked for another cab.

Fortunately, my second driver spoke good English and knew immediately where the university was, and even better exactly how to get to the stadium once inside the campus. Sure enough within ten minutes, I was smiling with a group gathering behind the Main Stand before their away game later in the afternoon at Customs United.

I strolled inside to take a look. The pitch was surrounded by a shale running track and apart from the impressive raised and covered seated Main Stand, it was basic. A few wooden terraces were placed behind one goal when needed, but the rest of the arena was open. 

Railings separated the ground from the rest of the campus. Anyone would be able to look in when a match was on. Some students were losing weight by exercising at an open-air gym as they looked on.

I made my way through the entrance onto Thanon Ngam Wong Wan, using the pedestrian bridge to find the right side of the road for a taxi to my next destination at TOT.

Kasetsart 1 Khon Kaen United 2 (Wednesday 12th January 2022) League Cup First Round (att: 542) 

Football in the top two tiers had restarted after the mid-season international break and I was keen to see as much of it as possible. This League Cup tie stood out for me, with the chance of an upset and being a sensible midweek distance from home.

Some clubs do advance purchase tickets online, which are collected at certain 7/11 convenience stores. Kasertsart were one such club, so I decided despite warnings from seasoned expats to give it a whirl. 

It’s fair to say that my idea caused interest in the nearest store operating the system. There was a cheer when the four young eager members of staff eventually sussed it out and gave me my printout after about twenty minutes of trying. My ticket cost THB 100.

Kick-off was 6pm so I gave myself plenty of time having been stuck in teatime traffic in the past. I was actually ahead of time on the 26 bus, so I did some sightseeing and photography at Wat Phra Sri Mahathat temple.

Onward from there caught the light green BTS a few stops south to the Kasetsart University stop from where it was a twenty-minute walk through its impressive grounds to Insee Chantarasatit Stadium, while sadly failing to locate the student union bar!

For anyone wishing to point out the tongue-in-cheek comment. Alcohol and its advertising are prohibited inside Thai educational sites. Instead, I made use of the onsite 7/11 for some pop and nibbles.

 

Like several work or educational-based clubs, locals also came to watch what was a good evening cup tie. I usually find that floodlights help the spectacle. Several eager folk were using the free exercise machines and some kind of non-contact martial art class was going on.

I’d got myself a good spot in the large stand that had been erected since my previous visit, facing across to the structure hosting the players, TV cameras and officials. I sat and couldn’t quite believe the updates as Port FC slid out to third-tier Muang Loei United on penalties. 

The crowd were remarkably silent early on as we watched a cagey opening. Nigerian frontman Raphael Success looked likely up front for the hosts as he shot narrowly over from a tight angle with Khon Kaen’s Brazilian midfielder Douglas Cobo showing signs of experience.

The attendance grew during the first period as people arrived from work. They were in time to see United take the lead with a cleverly constructed goal when a low cross was side footed home by Tanapol Srithong shortly before referee Winat Phophat blew his whistle for half-time. 

There was still time in between for Success to tee up Chakrit Wasprasertsuk who skewed his shot badly wide. I remained where I was at the break and spent it catching up on the other scores. Other entertainment was provided by the cheers of nearby volleyball players.

Muang Thong United were on the way to losing to lower opposition in Uthai Thani in their tie. I honestly couldn’t see Kasetsart beating their higher-division opponents who just seemed that bit more streetwise.

The shambles back home in the UK with Prime Minister’s Questions on my App while watching the game seemed to get me more fired up and into the game for some strange reason once the babbling and avoiding any questions had finished.

Kasetsart came out pushing for an equaliser with again Success causing the Khon Kaen defence problems with a great run. Sub, Apiwit Samurmuen failed with his attempt at the near post when fed.

 

A rasping left footed drive from Success beat United goalkeeper Chirawat Wangthaphan all ends up but came back off the inside of the post. Success then hit the same post with his right foot. He could not believe his bad luck as the game intensified and he was substituted with thirteen minutes remaining.

Surely that was the home side's chances over. Just what was head coach Panipol Kerdyam thinking of? He was vindicated a couple of minutes later when an earlier sub, Sukunchai Saengthopho scored with a low shot across the outstretched Wangthaphan. What did I know anyway! 

No further scoring meant extra time. Saengthopho set up a fellow substitute Simon Dia. Somehow the Frenchman managed to miss an open goal from the low cross. Then a prostate Samurmuen hit the post with a shot while swinging his leg as he lay on the ground.

Surely a goal was coming for the university-based club. The pressure continued as Kueanun Junumpai headed wide at the back post from a corner. In the second period of extra time, Khon Kaen’s Yashir Islame played a majestic ball out wide, before getting on the end of the return cross but headed wide.

 

I could see how Dia had missed his earlier sitter. He had bags of skill but was cumbersome and awkward. He went on a rampaging run but eventually lost control as he was about to pull the trigger. It summed up his cameo.

Junumpai was denied by Wangthaphan as a penalty shoot-out looked a certainty. However, there was a sting in the tail from the visitors as in the second of three minutes additional time a shot from Brazilian sub, Ibson Melo went in across goalie Thirawooth Sraunson off the far post. 

The away fans along from us celebrated along with their team. Kasetsart only had themselves to blame after wasting a plethora of chances. It had been a very enjoyable game which improved as it went on. I headed back through the campus to catch the number 26 back to Minburi.

Kasetsart University 5 Minburi City 0 (Friday 18th March 2022) Friendly (att: c40)

I’d ordered a couple of Minburi City shirts from the online store, one for my pal Steve, so I was delighted with the scheduling of this fixture so I could collect them. It was also a handy venue travel-wise as the number 26 bus dropped me opposite the gates to the campus.

The transport was much lighter than I anticipated, meaning I arrived just before 5pm. My earliness was also aided by a loony bus driver who went at breakneck speed. I nearly headed for the front window when needing the middle doors at my stop after he slammed all on.

I went in search of a bar or options to fill in some time. Sadly, the area around the University seemed still affected by the pandemic. Those establishments showing on Google Maps were not open.

Not to worry. I had a good walk and then grabbed some finger food and drinks from the onsite 7/11 before taking up a seat in the main stand of Insee Chantarasatit Stadium. A pleasant young lady came across and gave me my two shirts. Obviously, I had been the only foreigner to have made an order thus far! 

Kick-off was late, no doubt with players trying to make their way across Bangkok after work. Locals and students continued to jog around the track as the game got underway. Indeed, I had gained access to the stand through the same entrance as those exercising.

The scoreboard was in operation, but strangely showing highlights of previous Kasetsart FC matches. The team out on the pitch was the amateurs of the university along with its academy arm.

The home side's players had no numbers on their shirts, so please excuse the lack of names. Minburi had a big squad, including several goalkeepers, as they looked to trim their roster before the commencement of the Thailand Amateur League.

There was a bit of drizzle in the air with the sound of overhead planes and birds adding to the overall scene. It was a slow start to the game before the visitor’s number 23 showed skill before seeing his shot saved. 

Minburi’s custodian clattered a home player outside the box on fifteen minutes. The makeshift referee decided that a free kick was enough punishment. It appears that he had some sort of prophecy.

The resulting free kick was put in at the back post by an unmarked Kasetsart player to open the scoring. In an open game City's number 6 seemed to be reading the game well. However, he had a tendency to overplay and then be caught out of position.

 

The score was 2-0 on twenty-five minutes with a good strike going in at the near post after the scorer had been put in with a neat slide rule pass put in. It became 3-0 twelve minutes later. A through ball was slotted past the away team keeper from outside the box.

The teams gathered for drinks on the pitch at the interval. Kasetsart extended their lead further nine minutes after the restart. A university forward simply brushed aside a defender before firing home. Again, it was a case of extremely poor defending from the City outfit.

Twelve minutes from time it became 5-0 when an excellent quick one-two skipped through the threadbare defence before the move was finished. To add to Minburi’s woes, their number 11 was put through. He rounded the keeper but hit outside of the post with his effort on goal.

The better more organised side had deservedly won. It was nice to later receive a message of apology for the performance from the City media team the following morning. There was no need but it was a nice touch all the same from a classily run club.

Kasetsart University 1 KMUTNB 2 (Friday 7th June 2024) Chang U-Champion 2024 Group B (att: c60)

I was down in the capital for a week having taken a couple of the family grandmothers on their maiden flight and a chance to see Bangkok along with my wife, so a doubleheader offered an excellent opportunity to leave them to it on Friday afternoon while I got my football fix.

The competition, which I attended a game in the previous season, is for university and educational establishments, with twenty-four sides being put in three groups of eight for round-robin games with the top two in each plus the next best two sides going through to the quarter-final stages.

I took a van and then a ride on the Skytrain changing at Wat Phra Sri Mahathat, reflecting on what a difference to the time and quality of travel the new Pink Line had made to the residents of Minburi. 

However, the walk through the campus was still the same distance, though the time I saved allowed me to take it casually and purchase snacks at 7/11 along the way. It was free admission, with an excellent view from the steep main stand where I met my mate and fellow Thai-based groundhopper Marco for the first game which started at 2pm.

Two free headers in the first game levelled up the scores in the first match. The standard was reasonable with several of those on show playing in T3 in the season that had recently ended. King Mongkul University of Technology North Bangkok to give the victors their full title, had to replace their keeper when they were one down owing to injury. 

The replacement stopper had a fine game making a string of excellent saves after the interval. By then their number 23 had controlled the ball excellently on the edge of the box and rifled into the corner of the net with what proved to be the winning goal.

It turned out that the game was a dead rubber, not that you'd have guessed judging by the commitment being put in as Kasetsart were thwarted time and again, while KMUTNB continued to look dangerous on the break. 

We were then granted a ten-minute intermission before the second game got underway.

RMUTT 0 Rajapruek University 6 (Friday 7th June 2024) Chang U-Champion 2024 Group B (att: c40)

This looked being a shocker with not too much going on in the first twenty minutes save some shocking attempts at goal from the more competent and fitter outfit. Rajapruek had lots more about them than their opponents the Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi. 

Their shortened title of RMUTT sounding like Mick Lynch should have been their team boss. The side was certainly on strike for large periods as Rajapreuk went down the tunnel at the break with a two-goal lead. 

At this point, I had to head off for a meal appointment with Thai family and friends that there was no way I was going to miss. My pal filled me in later on what had happened back at Kasetsart, commenting that he thought it was looking likely to be a starter for ten as far as the winning side was concerned, but they eased off in the closing stages.

I decided to head to Bang Khen and take the Red Line for a change, swapping to Pink at Lak Si and arriving early for my appointment despite walking the last twenty minutes. A very pleasant way to kill a few hours before becoming a tour organiser the following day to see the sights.