Nonthaburi FC 1 Chamchuree 3 - highlights

I have to accept I made an error in my report - there clearly was a player offside for Chamchuree's third goal. It could be argued he was not interfering with play but I have never, ever, seen an official make that judgement in Thailand and clearly here he was gaining an advantage.

Eka 3 KSU 3 - report and season awards

A short downpour before kick-off rendered yet another game doomed to be played out on a surface resembling a pigsty more than a football pitch. I've said it so many times now - why do the TFA insist on playing the bulk of games during the rainy season? The idea that it keeps us in line with AFC competitions seems a bit shallow.

In any case, the conditions and the lack of need for both teams - KSU were already assured of their play off spot and we were already out - could have made for disinterested players and a terrible game. That's what BKK Football predicted and I must confess I had similar thoughts, Instead, both teams did the noble thing and just went for it.

Still, the first half was uneventful and the action didn't really start until the second period, but boy, did it start. KSU's first goal was opportunistic and caused by the Eka back line pushing very far forward. The second away goal was an absolute belter and must be a contender for D2's goal of the season.

So 0-2 down against the champions with less than 45 to go, it seems almost a lost cause, right? But just as we did a short time ago, we showed real character to fight back. First from Methee, a header from a corner, then one from Korawut. KSU hit another goal to test our resolve but we pulled again, this time after a great triangle play and a finish once again from Korawut.  Six goals in one half, an exciting way to finish an exciting season.

It may have ended as a draw but this contest was a moral victory for Nonthaburi to fight back from two goals behind against a team that pushed Muangthong United to their limits. We even forced a few "drop down, scream in agony and pretend you're dying, wait for the stretcher to take you off then spring back to your feet" moments from KSU towards full time. It doesn't matter how many reserves KSU had in the side, we had players out, too.

After the game Eka fans descended onto the pitch to thanks the players.

So the D2 season reaches its end all too soon. I've offered my final thoughts already so there's little more to add. In Europe fans would talk of who can and should stay and who shouldn't, in Thailand this is a futile exercise. Planning and organisation just doesn't really happen in Siam, players come and leave almost randomly.

All we can do is look back with gratitude over a season that didn't end as we hoped but was still great fun to follow. We don't know which players will still be with us next season, but we know the fans will be there.

Player of the season:

Prasop: my player of the season.

K.Prasop. One of a bunch of players who could play at a higher level with ease. Excellent control and dangerous at set pieces. Did his bit to alleviate our goalscoring problem by supplying a few belters from midfield.



Match of the season:
The comeback against Prachinburi at home was one of the most eventful games I've seen in more than twenty years of watching football.

Goal of the season:
Korwaut's goal against Kasembundit at home, not just for the finish but the teamwork, passing and movement that went with it. See it here


Moment of the season:
The equaliser at Chamchuree United in a game that would have been stopped if it hadn't of been on astroturf. A game that really showed the spirit and professionalism of the side. See it here

Chamchuree United 1 Nonthaburi FC 2 - video

Chamchuree United 1 Nonthaburi FC 2 - report

Eka overturned Chamchuree United in a “stormy” game in every sense. Most of the action occurred in the second half and the only memory of the opening 45 minutes is of torrential rain that threatened to ruin the contest towards half time. Luckily, the astro-surface at Chulalongkorn Stadium copes with rain far better than the Thunderdome at Muang Thong and when the rain began to ease (not stop) the surface was playable again within ten minutes. It may not be the choice of purists, but could astroturf be the way forward for tropical Thailand?

Nonthaburi took the lead about ten minutes into the second half from a close range volley by Prasop that the home goalie couldn’t hold on to. By now the ref was starting to look nervous and many innocuous incidents turned into free kicks or other advantages for the home side. As CC piled on the pressure under the still pouring rain, a breakaway Eka attack resulted in a free kick that was curled in towards Korawaut, completely missed by the striker and glided into the net! CC didn’t lay back and the nervous officiating continued, while a challenge on Jelani Grant that was so high it almost took his ear off went unpunished. In injury time, CC scored a low, curled shot and somehow during the celebrations, Eka’s goalscorer Prasop was given a red card. A scuffle ensued and Eka staff stepped over the touchline to join in the yelling.

The game ended shortly after but as CC players came to greet the away fans, a very small number of Eka fans - who had seemed somewhat overzealous and abusive for most of the game - continued to yell “chi-gong” at the home players. It seemed to die down as the rest of the away support clapped the home players off but then trouble flared.

I missed the flashpoint but I’m told that one CC player threw a water bottle at away fans - though not with real force - and as Eka fans bawled at him, he gave the middle finger. He also refused to walk into the tunnel and continued to stand and stare (though not gesture or yell) at the away fans as they struggled to get to him. Eventually the situation was calmed down by fellow fans and club staff, no thanks to the player who acted so unprofessionally and should have been big enough to just walk away.

It was a shame to see a small number of fans, home players and coaching staff setting bad examples, but I think it will be an isolated incident and it musn’t distract from three excellent away points, another good show of teamwork and a real effort by both sides to play football under very difficult decisions. Great work lads, can’t wait for the next game.

Man of the Match: Sathit, Nonthaburi’s answer to Teeerasil Dangda. He’s one of a bunch of Eka players who could hold his own at a higher level.

All photo credits: Getidea Ka

Sathit outflanks his marker down the left wing.

Defending a free kick.

The players 'planked' after both goals. I'd prefer a pubpeab!

Eka staff approach the ref at full time.

Away support, noisy for the whole game!

Eka 4 Chamchuri 0 - highlights

A brace from Prasop, a neat header from Camara Aly and a goal credited to Chetpat made a fantastic win for 'The Crows', though not without the now-customary exciting goal mouth scramble at the other end! Here's hoping we seize the momentum and make a late title push. Thais are superstitious regarding numbers, names and colours and I predict Eka will stick with this make-do kit for home games for a while.

Great job guys!