Chualongkorn University Stadium

Being a Bangkok United supporter even for the short time I have been one has not been easy, in the seven matches I have made it to this season we are still to record 3a win. Now more than ever to coin a phrase from the commentators back home is ‘Squeaky Bum Time’ coming into this match we were three points ahead of Chula FC sitting in 13^th position just outside of the relegation zone. This was the proverbial ‘six pointer’ a term bandied around a lot but never more apt in our fight against relegation. Three points today would secure with at least a point our place in the Thailand Elite for one more year.

This game was a rollercoaster of action, unfortunately not much of it was actually related to the playing of the beautiful game itself. Lack of fitness,Poor first touches, high turnover of the ball and substandard finishing have been prevalent in our season so far, this match was like a highlights reel of these traits, with these problems dominating much of our play. To be fair to BUFC we held possession for large amounts of the time and are movement and passing of the ball were great apart from in the final third of the pitch. Why we Endeavour to constantly play the ball to our wide men to cross in to the area for Prasert Hardjiang. It is no criticism of our number 32 in that he is an island up front and lacks the height and ability to hold to ball up to play as a lone striker in this role.  We are agile passers of the ball and playing it through the centre using the guile of players such as Suphasek Kaikaew and the late substitute Wittaya Madlam could only be more profitable for the team. At the back we stood strong and in the keeper Weera Koedpudsa and central defender and club captain Punnarat Klinsukon we have players that whatever the outcome at the end of the season must be held onto. In the end 0-0 was probably a fair results as the strikeforce and directness of Chula provided them with as many chances as we ourselves squandered.

The games tone was lowered by the two sending off’s for Chula especially the second Reginaldo had only been on the pitch for a short time and his altercation that in turn let to a touchline skirmish with our manager Somchai Subpherm was the low point in the game leading to both teams leaving the field of play, without any subsequent injury time being played. The Thai league is on the up but before referees can be raised to a level of professionalism and understanding that is already existent in our Asian neighbours I fear we still have some way to go, before we can consider ourselves amongst there equals.

The aftermath of this match leaves us needing a win in our last game of the season, which will guarantee our safely and leave Somchai the task of rebuilding this team to be able to compete the right end of the table next season.

Simon Causton