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 29th 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.
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.