Wednesday 30 March 2011

Sunday 27 March 2011

Kasetsart University 2 Nonthaburi 0

Eka very disappointingly went down to a two-goal defeat at mid-table Keasetstart University FC.  Jelani Grant played in the game but Ryan Reece and Solomon Morrison were forced to sit out yet again. The Crows will need to bounce back as quickly as possible against Samut Prakan United next weekend.

Sunday 20 March 2011

The new squad list


Update 2013 season:
This is a work in progress, the club did release a squad list for 2013, then in true local style they completely disregarded it, so I'm building this list up myself.


30 Pathanphong (GK)

6 Joejoe Sompen (DF)
4 Krilas (DF)



15 Tarore (DM)


21 Nonthagun (RM)

19 Gun (MD)

14 Athikum (MD)

29 John (CM/LM)

24 Asiriya (LM)

25 Rathchapark (MD)

17 Apirak (MD)

11 Chatchai (MD)



12 Ataon (FW)

16 Cedric (FW)

26 Tomi (CF)

10 Alassane (FW)

Nonthaburi 0 Assumption Thonburi 1

If Eka got lucky against NSRU in the previous home game, that luck took back its debt in yesterday's nil - one defeat against Assumption Thonburi.

Yet again, new signings - Reece, Solomon and Grant - were forced to sit out. But Nonthaburi created no less than three good chances within the first five minutes but could not capitalise. Perhaps it made them complacent because about ten minutes later, Assumption's striker sneaked in behind the back line and scored a soft goal with a gentle finish.

The rest of the first half was even but the second half was almost all one-way traffic. But over and over again Nonthaburi wasted several chances either by completely skying longs shots or simply poor positioning of the strikers. The highly-anticipated new signing from Belgium, Camara Muhammed, had a particularly disappointing game and looks short on fitness nd confidence.

In injury time, Eka's goalkeeper came up for a corner and so nearly scored a tap in that was stop by a lunging foot of Assumption's goalie.

So 0 - 1 it finished, Eka can take heart from their possession football in the second half but are crying out for a poacher, or at least for Muhammed to find his form. It's also very frustrating for the new signing to be sat in the stands with supporters when everyone can see how much they are needed on the pitch. The Eka coach also needs to get a clear idea of who his first team are, get them fit and get them to work on their off-the-ball movement, too many players seemed content just to roam in a circle rather than look at the bigger picture. Here's hoping for an improvement away to Kesetstart.

On a brighter note, here is the squad for this season:

Friday 18 March 2011

Eka Vs Assumption Thonburi promo

This Sunday, KO@1700
This clip shows Prasop's excellent goal against NSRU.

Tuesday 15 March 2011

Marine Rayong Vs Eka - photos + video

A few shots from the game courtesy of  the Nonthaburi FC Facebook page. I have no idea why Eka wore a plain white strip.

Once again, Jelani Grant and others are forced to sit out.

How bad does the pitch look?

Monday 14 March 2011

Marine Rayong 0 Nonthaburi FC 0

Eka came to a goalless draw away to newcomers Rayong. More details to follow.

Sunday 6 March 2011

Nonthaburi FC 2 NSRU 1 - Photos

Photos courtesy of โต๋@ROOKERY 13th or Y@JoK CyI3eR, both from nonthaburifc.com



Saturday 5 March 2011

Nonthaburi FC 2 Paknampho NSRU FC 1 - Report

Eka were actually very, very lucky to emerge with three points in a game that was high on excitement at times but usually way below standard in terms of skill.

As per last season, there were various types of opening ceremonies and entertainments before kick off. The idea was that NSRU would simply turn up to allow Eka to display their title credentials.

Only, the opponents hadn't read the script and took the lead after less than ten minutes with a short, high cross that was headed home from the six yard box.

At this time I noticed the line up was missing several new players. I was told that Jelani Grant and three other players were sat in the crowd because they had not received clearance to play in the league yet, though it was unclear if the problem was with immigration, the RL or the player's respective home countries. Whatever the reason, the team was far weaker for it.

Nonthaburi equalised about fifteen minutes later with an almost mirror-copy of the goal at the other end, scored by number ten, Ale.

The rest of the first half was slow, mainly thanks to a lot of time wasting and a whistle-happy ref. Eka repeatedly gave the ball away in their own half and slowly resorted to long balls instead.

The home side started better in the second half and scored a great free kick from number eight Nipol Panprom before very, very heavily riding their luck when the back line went to pieces on more than one occasion. Only two unbelievable misses from NSRU kept Eka in the lead. As injury time beckoned the visitors threw everything forward and Eka hit them on the break twice and really should have buried at least one chance. The final score was 2-1.

Of course, the result is always the most important thing but repeats of this performance against better teams in D2 such as BCC and North Bangkok will see us punished heavily. Nonthaburi need to rush through paperwork for the new players, spend a lot of time coaching the defence and also coaching the players' tactical discipline.

A note for penny pinchers. Rajpracha's games at Wat Boat Stadium were always free. Today's game was free too but I recall last season's opener was also free to promote the team to potential new fans. So by the next home game, we should know if Eka fans will be treated to an entirely free home season.

Man of the match:
17 Arthit, great first touch and reading of the game.

No team list as all players have new squad numbers for the new season. A new squad list will be produced ASAP.

Thursday 3 March 2011

Eka academy?

If I understand the website correctly, Nonthaburi are opening trials for a youth camp at the club, in partnership with the local government. This is another big step forward for the club.

The season officially - and finally - starts tomorrow, though the OS still has not updated the fixture list or squad list.

Tuesday 1 March 2011