Uthai Thani

 

Uthai Thani FC is a professional football club from the town of the same name in lower northern Thailand. The formation of ‘The Elephants’, the current club representing the town, came in 2019 following a name and location change.

The owners of Air Force United FC decided to move the club from their Thupatemi Stadium in northern Bangkok to Uthai Thani and change their name to reflect the move. You can read here about Air Force United. 

Previously, Uthai Thani Forest FC playing at the towns’ Province Stadium were the local football club when formed in 2010, finishing their debut Regional League Division 2 Northern Region season in fifteenth position.

A big improvement saw seventh place being achieved prior to a couple of seasons in lower middle table in 2012 and 2013, with the latter being played partly at Lat Yao Wittayakhom School Stadium in Nakhon Sawan.

Forest finished second bottom in 2014 and did not enter the competition the following year. The team re-appeared in 2016, finishing last in the Central Region which meant relegation, but the club was suspended regardless.

After the ‘new’ club moved in, they took up the place of Air Force United in Thai League 2, finishing in the relegation places in seventeenth in the 2020-21 campaign, which is best summed up by the turnover of head coaches throughout.

Thanaset Amornsinkittichote started the season in charge before being replaced by Therdsak Chaiman prior to the arrival of Japanese boss Masayuki Miura. Worachai Surinsirirat could not save the side from the drop.

The team regrouped in Thai League 3 with an outstanding 2021-22 season thanks in part to the fire power of Ricardo Santos, Phattharaphon Jansuwan and Chigozie Mbah at the Elephants finished top of the Northern region table under returning head coach Chaiman. 

The form continued into the Champions League promotion play-offs when they finished top of their group to win promotion as well as defeating Krabi 3-1 on aggregate to be crowned as outright Thai League 3 champions.

The knockout competitions also saw good runs, with Uthai Thani reaching the quarter-final of the FA Cup before going out at home to Nakhon Ratchasima Mazda. The side also reached the last eight of the League Cup, with eventual winners PT Prachuap ending the run.

There was a spell of doubt whether the club would compete the following season until new owners were found who then appointed the experienced Somchai Makmool to run team affairs. Narasak Boomkleang was appointed as head coach in 2022-23 before being replaced by Pan Suksawang and then Pattaraphon Naprasert.

The season saw the team end in third place to reach the playoffs as the reliable Ricardo Santos continued to score the goals. Suphanburi, and then Customs United were defeated as Uthai Thai reached Thai League 1. The Province Stadium was adapted, with new stands behind each goal being added over the running track.

The owners showed their intent by appointing Jukkapant Punpee as head coach but replacing him within two weeks with Mikael Stahre. In a turnaround, Jukkapang was back at the helm before the end of the season as the Elephants finished in seventh place.

The experienced Serbian head coach was given the role at Uthai Thani in August 2024.

Uthai Thani FC will play in Thai League 1 in the 2024-25 season.

My visit

Uthai Thani FC 0 Nakhon Ratchasima 1 (Wednesday 16th February 2022) Thai FA Cup Round of 8 (att: 856) 

Studying the forthcoming midweek fixtures, I fancied somewhere different for a couple of days and to have an adventure outside Bangkok. Time was of no consequence, so I figured that a venue not so easy to get to was a good challenge.

This trip around 180 miles north fitted the bill, with the third-tier hosts looking to knock out another top-flight side after an extra-time win at Muang Thong United in the previous round. A potential cup shock and unchartered waters. A plan was hatched. 

I'd travelled to nearby Nakhon Sawan the previous day by train to stay overnight. This looked like my best solution. A fine afternoon of sightseeing and walking, followed by an evening in the Analogue Bar drinking and listening to music was a great start.

My trainers were still wet from the Tuesday evening deluge when I awoke in my room in the basic but friendly Anodard Hotel. I had obviously had a good walk as I soon relented on my way to the bus terminal and jumped aboard a tuk-tuk instead. 

The helpful staff soon sorted me out with a minivan ticket for 30 THB. I quickly grabbed some provisions at 7/11 and got a seat by a couple of monks, one of whom was most friendly and helpful as he spoke a bit of English.

I’d been told that it was a religious day because of a Buddhist celebration and that bars would be closed. I was still hopeful, despite the religious brothers confirming the fact to me. Surely, I’d find somewhere?

The journey took around an hour before I began exploring another new place. I was a bit early to check into my excellent room at S2@Uthai but the smiling staff soon had me sorted. It was time to head out for more exercise.

The area along the banks of the Sakae Krang River was interesting. I particularly liked the street lampstands being decorated with elephants. From there it was onto Wat Sanggat Rattana Khiri.

This consisted of two temples. One at street level and the other one overlooking the town up a long set of steps. The view at the top was well worth the effort, as were the various buildings and places of worship.

I headed back to my hotel via a convoluted route down the hill and then around the main road. A siesta was most welcome before I headed in the direction of the local Province Stadium for the 6pm kick-off.

Arriving reasonably early just in case there was a huge crowd, I was delighted to see that the fan's area outside the stand had been missed off the memo about the booze ban. I grabbed a couple of beers and snacks.

An excellent atmosphere was building as cup fever had reached town. It took me back to Scarborough playing Chelsea in terms of many non-regular townspeople turning out to create a festival vibe. 

It was great fun outside and again once upstairs in the seats. The ground reminded me of a lower-league German venue around a running track and with a mountain forest as a backdrop. The raised seated stand was on the far side with a long lower cover where I was located.

The locals made plenty of noise getting behind their favourites, with some grabbing a vantage point looking over the fence in the far corner as they stood in the back of an open truck. I was shocked when I saw the announced crowd figure. I thought that there was more there. 

The visiting Swatcat from Korat saw Kwame Karikari head over a decent cross in the opening exchanges. It wasn't hard to see how Uthai Thani topped their regional division and were also in the last eight of the League Cup. They gave it everything.

A fine long diagonal pass picked out Elephants’ Phongsakon Trisat who headed down for Nontapat Naksawat whose half volley from the edge of the box was parried away by visiting custodian Pisan Dokmaikeaw. 

Chitpanya Thisud then flashed a powerful drive wide for the hosts. Ratchasima responded when Nattachai Srisuwan saw his shot deflected narrowly wide. Karikari came close to inadvertently heading into his own net when trying to clear a corner.

There wasn't much between the sides in the first half, but on the pattern of play, I was convinced I was going to see a giant-killing after the interval. At the break, I went for a wander to get some photos from different angles.

The away side defended with discipline and created an opportunity when Karikari just failed to get on the end of a slide rule pass from Amadou Ouattara. Srisuman hooked an effort over when it eventually fell in his path following a corner.

Mongkol Thosakrai came desperately close to converting with a diving header for Uthai from a low cross, but the ball was just ahead of him. Korat’s English defender Charlie Clough showed intent when heading over at the other end.

It would be the big fella from Taunton, who was about my man of the match with a powerful display, who broke the deadlock with just over three minutes remaining. Naruphol Ar-romsawa sent in a bending free kick. Clough ran past the high line defence to score on the volley having lost his marker.

Uthai weren’t done. Persistence from Phattharaphon Junsuwan and Thosakrai saw the ball come to sub Suphawit Chusaksakunviboon around eight yards out in the centre of the goal. He somehow contrived to shoot over the bar. 

Fine play from Thosakrai was not capitalised on when he got to the byline and got his cross in. Another substitute, Kirati Keawsombut should really have got a header on it. I must admit to feeling quite sad at full-time. I'd really got into it among the hospitable locals.

Common sense should have prevailed on leaving as I should have had a couple of beers at the ground. Nomto Café music bar over the road was closed so I decided to head back into town looking for a rare sign of life.

I couldn't find a bar or shop serving beer though I thought I’d struck lucky when I spotted a man with a drink watching the Thailand Under 21 side on TV outside a shop by the bus station. The forthright woman inside gave me a proper dressing down when I asked for a beer!

Back on Thanon Toep Siri opposite KFC, a group in Uthai Thani shirts were sitting. I’d waved and said hello on the way to the stadium and they pointed to the turn-off I needed when they went ahead on their motorbikes. They remembered me and beckoned me over the road.

 

They said they could get beer if I fancied one, so I gave them some cash to get some cans. My new friends were intrigued by what I was doing there as an educational drink ensued. They soon knew all about the Scarborough v Chelsea game I mentioned earlier in the piece.

After a couple of drinks, I headed back to the hotel for a proper night's sleep. The following morning, I was more than a little concerned to find that I would not get to Nakhon Sawan in time for my booked ticket back home. Buses weren’t as frequent as I believed. 

Not to worry. I’d have to buy a new ticket and get home later. No harm done. I was considering all options when I asked where the minibus in the station was going. It was my lucky day as Bangkok was its destination.

It was a bit cramped, but we stopped at the services at Saraburi for a stretch. I was later deposited at Mo Chit from where I caught a bus home via Bangkapi, alighting at home to be greeted by another rainstorm. 

It had been a fantastic couple of days on the road. You can watch the YouTube clip of my full adventure here.

Nongbua Pitchaya

 

Nongbua Pitchaya FC is professional football club based in the small town of Nong Bua Lam Phu in Isan, Thailand’s northeast region. The club’s story since their formation in 2010 is one of building gradually to achieve success.

They started out life after being formed by the by Sports Association of Nong Bua Lamphu Province playing at Nong Bua Lamphu Province Stadium. They were called EGAT Nongbua Lamphu United following a sponsorship deal and placed in the third tier Regional League Division 2 North Eastern Region.

Suthin Srithong took charge of the team in their debut season before being replaced by Prasith Seelachai and then Vilas Thipparos. Coaches continued to come and go including, Ong-ard Prawong, Supete Srisuwan, Kiattisak Kamnerdboon, Natthasak Phusordngern and Saneh Lungkaew.

There was nothing to suggest of future progression when Theerawekin Seehawong into the role in January 2015, but the opening of the club academy to bring through their own players proved a pivotal moment a year later. The club’s name was changed to their present title as an increased transfer budget was released. 

Thawatchai Aocharod, one of the early graduates would spend a future season at Leicester City. In 2016 the club was placed in the Northern Region, going on to win their regional title. Wins against Ayutthaya and Udon Thani in the Champions League round saw promotion being achieved to the second tier Thai League 2.

Jardel Capistrano was among the goals in 2017 as the ‘Gamecocks’ settled into their new status, with Goran Jerković top scoring in 2018. Fifth place was achieved with the Spaniard David Pons Carbonero having a short spell in charge of the side before he was replaced by Sugao Kambe for the first six months of 2019. 

Matthew Holland oversaw the second half of the campaign, in which Nongbua finished ninth with Christer Youssef topping the goals chart. That mantle was taken by Valdo in 2020-21 as Thai football reverted to the European calendar. Somchai Chuayboonchum was in charge as the side won the Thai League 2 title.

The success had heralded the moving into the purpose built Pitchaya Stadium at the start of the season, prior to Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul taking over as head coach. An impressive sixth place saw Hamilton put away the goals. 

Emerson Pereira da Silva came in as team boss in December 2022, and despite the goals of fellow Brazilian, Barros Tardeli, Nonbua were relegated. However, the club failed to panic, regrouped, and appointed Sukrit Yothee as head coach. Helped by the goals of Jardel, the Gamecocks won promotion back to T1 in 2023-24.

Nongbua Pitchaya FC will play in Thai League 1 in the 2024-25 season.

My visit

Nongbua Pitchaya 3 Uthai Thani 2 (Saturday 21^st September 2024) Thai League 1 (att: 2,015) 

The chance to tick off another new Thai venue raised its head following what had been an extremely wet and long night in Khon Kaen the previous evening as part of a weekend visit to the area.

We had been to Khon Kaen United v Nakhonpathom United and then enjoyed a very convivial evening in a local bar. My wife Taew had driven us from Sisaket where we met up with my friend Dale and his good lady Nui before meeting other friends at the match. Saturday saw us gather for lunch in a not too pristine condition.

 

We headed to the countryside to our friend’s beautiful home in Ubolratana District to get a flavour of the local area before heading on towards Nong Bua Lam Phu. Dale kindly volunteered to drive, taking us through the stunning Phu Kao - Phu Phan Kham National Park along the way, which offered some great views.

The plan was to eat at a restaurant on arrival, but with everyone happy to grab some snacks we parked up at the stadium in good time. And an impressive venue it was with a superb main stand slightly reminiscent of the one in Chiang Rai the standout feature. Open sided stands stood opposite with no spectator accommodation behind either goal but with plenty of room if required in the future. 

Something that was quite surprising was seeing a few other westerners there, all supporting the home side. The town and province are extremely small. However, it was obvious that the club put a great deal of importance on attracting youngsters to games and developing their own players with many from academies in attendance.

The girls at the ticket desk were most helpful and courteous. We chose seats for 120 Baht which was the next block to the VIP centre section. The security, however, was a little bit over the top by gents dressed like they were at a far more intense event. All umbrellas for instance had to be left at a desk outside while bags were searched. 

The view of the pitch was superb, with fans being able to choose their favoured position once inside. Everything about the venue was in good condition with little extras like a net preventing birds nestling in the stand roof being noticeable along with the modern floodlights and electric scoreboard.

Looking beyond the stadium reminded me of being in East Lancashire with steep rolling hills and even an old tall brick chimney forming part of the picture. The temperatures of course being very different, although the clouds and rumble of thunder and lightning offering some similarities. 

Once the game got underway, we were treated to an absolute cracker. With my Port FC hat on it was nice to see Ben Davis and William Weidersjö in the Uthai Thani line up who were being coached by the gargantuan Serb Miloš Joksić. Dale had interest in Marcus Haber, on loan from his team Chonburi to Nongbua.

It was the visitors who took the initial ascendancy creating some fine moves. Both sides were in outfits more akin to being found in a box of Dolly Mixtures, as pink met mauve. The officials in bright yellow adding to the effect. 

Uthai Thani went ahead after twenty minutes when a fine diagonal ball from Terry Antonis was headed home by Jonathan Agudelo. The assistant with the flag adjudged that he was offside initially, until the VAR team rightly overruled him and awarded the goal.

Nongbua equalised within a couple of minutes as Haber fired across keeper Boonyakait Wongsajaem into the top corner before having a header saved by the feet of the stopper. The game was already very open as both sides looked to attack. It would be the away side that went down the tunnel at halftime in the lead, with again VAR playing its part. 

The excellent referee Wiwat Jumpaoon went to look at the screen and awarded a penalty for a pull on Davis as he jinked his way through. Lucas Dias calmly slotted the kick away sending keeper Kittikun Jamsuwan the wrong way to the delight of the impressive away following.

It was an indication of our beer consumption the previous day that we didn’t require one at the interval. Instead, just using the pristine toilets. My one slight criticism of the excellent stand was that room could have been utilised in the upstairs concourse with concession stands rather than patrons having to go downstairs and outside to obtain their refreshments. 

The home coach Suphachat Manakit introduced Sudanese striker Abo Eisa into the fray for the second half, with him making an initial impression with a shot that fizzed narrowly wide. He was to have a massive impact throughout and change the course of the game.

Just short of the hour mark he collected a clever return ball from Jakkrit Songma before laying a square pass to Haber who scored from a yard or so out. Two minutes later the comeback was completed. Eisa did terrifically well to engineer the space to pull the ball back to Haber for the Canadian to collect his hattrick. 

Kwanchai Suklom played a great ball to Agudelo, but the Colombian couldn’t get his shot away as his side searched for an equaliser with fifteen minutes remaining. Despite further pressure, the hosts hung on to take all three points.

Post match we headed back in what were some very difficult driving conditions in the rain and on barely lit wet surfaces. Dale was a star and ready for the beer collected before home. It had been an excellent night out. Everyone slept very well. 

The following day after working out how to convert some old VCDs containing Thai football from a couple of decades ago and breakfast, Taew and I headed back to Sisaket in what would be further terrible weather conditions.

FC Bangsaotong

 

FC Bangsaotong is a football club from the district of the same name in Samut Prakan, to the south of the Thai capital of Bangkok. FCB to give them their more commonly known name, was formed as QonQuest FC.

The club from Bangkok’s executive class and led by Crispin Francis, a Singaporean who relocated to Bangkok due to work in July 2017, set their sights on promotion to the third tier of Thai football after initially competing in the Bangkok Premier League playing home games at Vichupa Football Field near Ram Intra in Bangkok.

A move to new facilities in Bangsaotong after previously playing home games at saw the change of title in April 2021 as FCB also gained admission into the fourth level Thailand Amateur League. Meanwhile a fourth place in the BPL saw the side gain promotion to Division Two of that competition for the 2021-22 campaign.

FCB set up an academy. Jamie Clarke, a former player with a wealth of experience in English and Scottish professional football was installed as head coach, with Mikel Masabe, a professional in Uganda, Spain and Thailand as his assistant.

FCB finished top of Bangkok Group H in the 2022 Thailand Amateur League, from where they progressed to the knockout stages, which resulted in wins against W&A Bangmot and then Ramkhamhaeng University, with can be read about here.

Bangkapi FC were dispatched on penalties to set up a final against Samutsakhon City, the winners from the Bangkok Perimeter stages. Bangsaotong went down 1-0 to a controversial goal at Thonburi Stadium, which can be read about here, which saw the club fall one game short of promotion to Thai League 3.

The team won promotion to Division 1 of the Bangkok Premier League at the end of the 2021-22 season. Coach Clarke left with Masabe remaining, while second string side TAO Dovechem also achieved success climbing to the second level of that competition.

FC Bangsaotong competed in the Thailand Amateur League in the 2023 season as well as Division 1 of the Bangkok Premier League in 2023-24 where they continued to challenge for honours in 2024-25.

My visits

FCB Qons 2 Nonthaburi City 1 (Tuesday 14^th December 2021) Chang Bangkok League (att: c20) 

I’d only arrived in Bangkok a couple of weeks earlier, but already my knowledge of local football had expanded to include competitions I didn’t even know existed before my departure from blighty.

It was sometimes a confusing business, but many people were extremely helpful on social media answering my queries. I had found the Bangkok Premier League, so I was somewhat baffled when surfing the net, I came across the Chang Bangkok League.

Research showed me that it was a separate competition played midweek with all games hosted by FC Bangsaotong. This was too good an opportunity to turn down, even if getting to the ground by public transport would severely test my resolve. A quick message on Facebook was met with a welcoming prompt reply that spectators were OK to attend.

My morning and early afternoon were spent walking, acquainting myself with Minburi where I was staying and then a bus for a wander round Nawamin Phirom Park by Bangkapi. A walk to The Mall Bangkapi saw me come across a sight from many years earlier. 

The National Housing Association or Khlong Chang Stadium was formerly home to Thai top tier side Osotspa when I took photographs there. The pitch looked to be ready for action, but I didn’t know who played there. Definitely something for further research.

After a meal I set out for the game, some three hours before the 7pm kick off. Thai buses had already shown me the perils of leaving things until the last minute. The 145 service arrived promptly. The conductress nodded that she knew where I wanted and took my 20 Baht fare. 

I’d arranged to give a pal a call back in London, and I thought jumping out early at Seacon Square mall would be a good move. However, the lass in charge wasn’t having this farang getting lost. She was insistent I got off where I’d asked for.

After a nice chat I headed round to the main Chonburi to Bang Na Expressway. Several buses passed. I was getting concerned that mine wouldn’t turn up, despite their being a choice of three. Relief was the overriding emotion when one turned up. 

I have to say seeing the driver and conductor in Santa hats did give me a giggle. I sat back and listened to music while trying to chart my journey. It took getting on for an hour to reach the Banga 2 Hospital stop I required.

The good news was this was the route I’d need to get to top-flight side Samut Prakan City FC. I now knew for next time. The bad news was that this was as close as public transport would take me to my impending match. 

I’ve done a few daft things over the years to reach matches, but what followed was right up there. I walked along the side of a busy road with no footpaths for around 300 metres, sometimes letting scooters by that were travelling in the wrong direction. It wasn’t only me then.

As soon as I got the opportunity, I was off and along a khlong side path. An interesting walk as dusk fell saw me walk past many modest dwellings as locals must have been scratching their heads at a big westerner walking by with a daft grin wearing an old England shirt.

I was not unhappy to see the floodlights of the ground. Nor to see Flags Bistro and Bar, where drinks and food were sold from. A large can of Chang was just what the doctor ordered as I tried to take in my surroundings.

It was obviously a new ground, with the pitch still bedding in. A second pitch was behind one goal, also in use with floodlights. The only real spectator accommodation was down one side, along with changing rooms. It had a low cover with media and VIP facilities upstairs. 

I was trying to determine the best place to watch while passing the players when a north-eastern voice stopped me. “Are you the bloke from Scarborough?” It was player coach and Sunderland lad Jamie Clarke who introduced himself and mentioned he nearly signed for the Seadogs.

His pal, Lee Hall also joined in, while not being too impressed when I asked him if he was a Mackem. An easy mistake to make! Crispin welcomed me and told me I could go upstairs to watch the match for a better view. What wonderful folk.

FCB Qons, one of the club sides, led the table going into this match against Nonthaburi City who sat in second place. It was immediately apparent that this was a very different City line up to the one I’d seen in a friendly against SPA Srongpol a few days earlier. The match was also of a far higher quality.

The intensity was as it should be for such a relatively important game. Jamie Clarke stood out at the back for Qons, while former Hillingdon Borough striker Leon Nelson was a real handful up front, although some of his finishing might have been more precise. 

The hosts had to come from behind to win the game to be crowned as league champions. An unusual feature was that the game was being screened live on Facebook. Nothing too strange in that, but the commentary was over a mic and also transmitted out onto the pitch. I’m not sure I’d have enjoyed that in my playing days.

The result was the right outcome. After the match I grabbed another beer while waiting to have a chat with Jamie. We ended up drinking Chang on the pitch after the game listening to the likes of Oasis, Blur and The Mock Turtles with English and friendly Thai players while talking players.

There was plenty of managers connected to Scarborough football spoken about! I would never have believed it before I set out. Unbelievably there were some Chiang Mai connections too between us. Lovely to meet Jamie Clarke and the gang.

I still had the journey home to negotiate. Lee was taking Jamie back and he kindly gave me a lift to where the main road had pavements after they swerved off for more provisions at a 7/11. I hailed a cab for the rest of the way home. Bang Sao Tong is not an easy place to reach, but I’m glad I made the effort. 

At Samut Prakan Stadium

FC Bangsaotong 0 Uthai Thani 4 (Wednesday 2^nd November 2022) Thai FA Cup Round of 64 (att: 135) 

The biggest day in the history of FC Bangsaotong, at least at that stage of their life, came following a crushing 6-1 win away to Teerachaipallet Samutprakhan in the first round of the FA Cup. Their reward was a tie against high flying Thai League 2 side Uthai Thani.

In the lead up to the game I was in touch with coach Jamie Clarke who said he wasn’t in charge for the game, but he provided me with the details. Unfortunately, the home stadium didn’t offer the requirements for the tie, so it was moved to Samut Prakhan Stadium.

The good news was that a 3pm kickoff allowed the opportunity to head straight to the PAT Stadium at fulltime to see Port take on Sukhothai in another of the round’s matches. By now I was an old hand at getting to the stadium and arrived in good time, via minivan from Minburi and then a bus from Kingkaew Market.

I was in good form when I alighted, as a couple of delightful old girls saw it their duty to make sure that I wasn’t lost and I got off where I needed, and I played along despite knowing exactly where I was. After grabbing some provisions, I headed over the road and exchanged greetings with some of the Bangsaotong fraternity who recognised me.

It was free admission, and nobody bothered to staff the beer stall, which was a slight disappointment. Only the main stand side was open, with the FCB section taken up of players relatives, friends, coaches doing scouting and a few neutral groundhoppers.

Marco, a Port fan who had become a matchday companion, joined me along with Jim, who runs the Port FC Sambapit Twitter feed for ex-pats, who I met for the first time. We had a good chat about many subjects while enjoying a half decent game in which FCB gave a good showing.

 

While having plenty of possession, they failed to create too many scoring opportunities and looked more rushed on the ball than their fulltime opponents, which could only be expected, with Jiramet Dalunphan looking tricky for the “home” side.

The visitors took the lead on fourteen minutes when a low cross from Nontapat Naksawat was acrobatically volleyed in by Brazilian forward Carlos Damian. Adefolarin Durosinmi had a decent chance to double the lead, but his side footed effort was saved by Thanakon Phlailahan in the FCB goal.

The impressive Kuatrakul Kwankua saw his shot bend away from the target for the hosts, as the game was becoming stretched at an early stage. The teams went down the tunnel with just one goal separating them. We wanted a shock but not one that required extra time!

It was 2-0 after sixty-six minutes as the FCB resistance was gradually worn down after they put in maximum effort trying to engineer an equalizer. Durosinmi set up Nawamin Chaiprasert, whose shot took a deflection on the way in. 

Carlos Damian was very good for Uthai Thani, but also extremely stroppy, continually berating referee Wichate Tainthong, and his colleagues. Head coach Narasak Boonkleng withdrew him with fifteen minutes remaining.

Within sixty seconds his decision was vilified when Piyaruck Kwangkaew saw his attempt come back off a post, with the ball being recycled and the resulting cross being put in by substitute Kento Nagasaki with his first touch.

The lead was extended further as a fine team move with plenty of passing was put in at the back post by Kwangkaew with eight minutes left on the clock. Narakorn Noomchansakul had an effort saved as we hoped that the floodgates would not open.

 

A final Bangsaotong foray saw an over-elaborate move end in Kitthipong Phanna shooting over the bar. We headed for the exit gate as the board for three minutes additional time went up, as Jim’s Grab taxi approached.

FCB had put in an excellent performance and had done themselves proud. If only they had won their playoff final a few months earlier to go up into Thai League 3. Our driver also did himself proud, as we arrived at the PAT with time for a beer before the second game!