Dateline 21^st May 2016

 NRFC 0 Suphanburi 0

The War Elephants from Suphanburi were the opponents at the 80^th Anniversary Stadium, with the home team hoping to end a dramatic losing streak.

In front of about 5-6 thousand fans the hosts opened eagerly with the opponents being closed down effectively. A fourth minute free kick went just over for the hosts as they pressed forward but Suphanburi looked dangerous at times on the break.

In the 20^th minute the visitors scored a neat headed goal but it was adjudged offside. The men from Korat then countered with a decent 25 yard drive going over and minutes later a smart passing movement resulted in a shot inches wide. There then followed a period of pressure from the hosts ending with an Adeyeah 8 yard drive being well saved – a guilt edged chance.

The 40^th minute saw a lucky escape for the home team. A shot was well saved but the ball ran loose and a resulting point blank shot was kept out by the sprawling keeper.

The second half began with both teams trying to break the deadlock but it took until the 62^nd minute before a real chance was produced when a Suphanburi close range header was well saved by the keeper. Minutes later, persistence by Adeyeah nearly produced an unlikely opening goal. This spurred on the home side with a drive going wide and a period of pressure developing.

In the 74^th minute a diving header from the hosts went wide with the resulting corner causing chaos in the opponents defence. The Suphanburi defenders resorted to some rather agricultural challenges to keep the Swatcats at bay with a Lindemann drive following one of these challenges going just wide.

Ultimately neither side could break the deadlock, but a vital point for the Swatcats against a disappointing Suphanburi outfit. A much improved performance from the Swatcats. They challenged and harried opponents and showed real spirit – there has definitely been a change in attitude since the departure of Sugao Kambe. The lack of goals is still worrying but I feel slightly optimistic for the future. Bjorn Lindemann was excellent tonight, as was Noah Chivuta but our options up front seem limited  and I think this department needs bolstering for the second leg – neither Tagbajumi or Adeyeah – both talented players, seem to be the answer to our goal scoring problems.