Monday 13 March 2017

Dateline 11th March 2017 – Match day 6.

 FT Muang Thong United 2 NRFC 0



The Swatcats took on the mighty Kirins at the SCG Stadium with pundits remarking that due to the Swatcat’s sky blue and white change strip, the spectacle looked remarkably like a Manchester derby!!

The opening 20 minutes saw both sides sparring with no clear chances created but the visitors did seem to be showing more forward intent than against Buriram.
In the 20th minute Muang Thong broke the deadlock when Mongkol Tossakai nodded in after some ping pong heading following a corner. The Swatcats countered with a shot testing Keeper Kawin and a brief period of pressure.
The half – a half of few chances, concluded with the Swatcats still in the game following a pretty decent first half performance.

After the break, in the 48th minute, Velkoski came close to equalizing with a well directed header going just over the bar but minutes later, Teerasil Dangda effectively sealed the victory with an acrobatic tap in - this was his 100th TPL goal – a fine achievement.








A rare substitution appearance for Prompong in the 65th minute will, I know, please some Swatcat fan diehards but he rarely had opportunities to influence the game in a meaningful way.

The game meandered to a close with neither side able to trouble each other’s keepers to give the Kirins a well deserved 3 points.

A better performance than against Buriram with the team looking better organized in defence and showing more ambition going forward.
So 6 games in and heading for the International break, the Swatcats find themselves languishing just above the relegation spots. The position may not, in fact, be as bad as it seems. Of our six games played four have been away fixtures - with two of those away games against top 4 opposition.
Our form however has been mediocre thus far and one can only hope that it is because it is taking time for the new players to settle in.

Early days I know but I feel that we may be in for a tough season. I cannot see too many teams weaker than the Swatcats in a strengthening Top Tier hierarchy.









Wednesday 8 March 2017

Dateline 8th March 2017 – Match day 5.

                             

 FT Buriram United 4 NRFC 0

The clash of two of Isaan’s football superpowers took place in the Thunder Castle in this midweek encounter.

The game began with the hosts pressing forward with Diogo looking dangerous. The Swatcat’s defence coped effectively with the early raids forward, lying deep and content to soak up early pressure.

On 16 minutes Coelho nodded in following some slack defending to give Buriram the lead and 3 minutes later the Swatcats went two down when an unmarked Supachok drove home from 10 yards.

With the Swatcats not able to mount a semblance of an attacking move, one is tempted to say already - 20 minutes in - game over.

Buriram continued to dominate with the visitors only able to muster a couple of half hearted long range shots. With the visitor’s defence in total disarray time after time it was ultimately punished as Coelho made it 3-0 with a 12 yard drive.

The second half began, echoing the first half dominance of the home team with the Swatcats again unable to mount any sustained forward play. The continued lack of coverage by defenders inside the box is both worrying and likely to lead to more goals in this one-sided encounter.

In a rare foray forward Akekenat poked the ball just wide from 4 yards - the first Swatcat chance of the match in the 66th minute!!!  Velkoski then missed from 2 yards after good work from Athibordee.
A slightly better performance in the second half but I suspect that Buriram had, by this time, taken their foot off the gas.

Late drama in the 76th minute as Chalermpong was dismissed for a cynical challenge on Diogo. Why Diogo was not himself sent off for retaliating with a brutal shove is a complete mystery to me.

In the dying seconds the visitors conceded a penalty that Diogo converted to complete the scoring for Buriram.

Painful to watch and generally a poor performance against an obviously more talented side. Clueless in defence, toothless up front - there’s not much more to say.
I would have liked to have seen more fight and ambition and to sit back from the start is asking for trouble against a side like Buriram. This tactic effectively allowed Buriram to put the game to bed within the first 20 minutes.

Not a disaster but it does signal that we are not capable of competing with the top teams….and Muang Thong to come at the weekend!!!















Saturday 4 March 2017

Dateline 4th March 2017 – Match day 4.

 FT NRFC 2 Pattaya United 2

The Swatcats took on the Rockin’ Dolphins from Pattaya at the 80th Anniversary Stadium aiming to keep their unbeaten record intact. The official attendance was stated as 9018 but my observation was that they were considerably more - maybe 14-16 000 at the ground. Maybe a “typo” and in reality there were 19 018 in attendance !!

Pattaya started brightly, being able to breach the hosts defence at will with raids down the flanks. In fact the hosts were lucky not to go one down in the second minute when a crisp cross was not converted. In fact, Pattaya impressed as they dominated the first 20 minutes. The Swatcats meanwhile looked limp and without creative ideas and chances - even half chances were rare.

In the 14th minute Pattaya cut through the hosts defence like a knife through butter as a cross was nodded in by an unmarked Wellington. One has to ask “whose responsibility was it to pick up the tall Wellington?” – Igbonefo one assumes!!!
Pattaya created another clear chance in the 26th minute with a snap shot well saved by the home keeper. The Swatcats continued to “huff and puff” with little reward as the half progressed.

The host’s first real chance came in the 29th minute when good work from Adiyiah set up a shooting chance for Naruphol that was parried by the visitor’s keeper.
 Minutes later Velkoski converted a penalty to draw the Swatcats level. I have watched the replay several times and I still cannot see why the penalty was awarded!!
Adiyiah then went close on the cusp of half time as the hosts began to press.

The second half began with the men from Korat showing greater resolve but they were nearly shocked in the 48th minute when a low shot almost squirmed through the keeper’s hands.

In the 56th minute, their endeavours were rewarded when a superbly fashioned move terminating in a controlled finish from Velkoski gave them the lead – a cracking goal!! He was later denied a potential hat-trick with a poor offside decision going against him.

With the home defence looking unsure at times and an absolute sitter missed by Pattaya in the 70th minute, the inevitable happened when Stojanovic stabbed home in the 77th minute after some shambolic defending by the hosts.

Velkoski missed a golden opportunity in the 80th minute when he shot over when an empty net beckoned – I think even I could have slotted that one in – with my legs tied together!!! A minute later Chakrit spurned another great chance to win it for the Swatcats.

With time running out, tempers boiling and the hosts desperate for the winner, Adiyiah and Lee Won Young were both dismissed for a fracas on the Swatcat goal line. Lee appeared to head butt Adiyiah who responded with a left jab to the face.

Another point gained – and still unbeaten, but it may be perceived as two points needlessly dropped. Another mediocre performance in which the defence looked very vulnerable at times - I’m still having doubts about Igbonefo’s obvious lack of pace. Up front we looked toothless with very little real quality with the final ball in evidence - only 4 chances created all match.


Against a team who most people may suggest will be relegation candidates come the end of the season, the Swatcats were made to look very ordinary. One worries what quality teams will do to this team. My preseason optimism is gradually waning match by match……


…………..Mind you - what do I know; maybe they’ll beat Buriram on Wednesday!!!