Dateline 14^th October 2017 – Match day 30.

  FT Thai Port 3 NRFC 1

In their final visit to the Capital this season, the Swatcats took on Thai Port in this end of season fixture on which very little depends.

A minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect and as part of the mourning period for the deceased King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The Swatcats wore a muted and simple black strip as the club’s own mark of respect. In a lovely touch Milos Joksic abandoned his usual jovial pre match posture and adopted a forlorn and respectful pose for the cameras.

On a sodden pitch after afternoon downpours, the match commenced with Port probing forward. With the ball sticking treacherously in the mud, the likelihood of pretty passing football seemed remote. My early thought was that the team who could adapt to a “hump it”, long ball game was going to be victorious.

In the 11h minute an excellent through ball presented Josimar with guilt edged chance but his shot was weak and was smothered by keeper Weera. Minutes later Sergio Suarez shot narrowly wide as Port pressed.

On 20 minutes Ekkanat Kongket shot narrowly over with a speculative shot from 28 yards and minutes later after fine work from Adiyiah, Chanatphon drew a fine save from the home keeper with a rasping drive.

As the half was drawing to a close, Josimar headed goal wards from short range but Weera pushed the ball out. In the resulting melee a penalty was awarded for a trip and David Rochela converted the kick from the spot. Three minutes later the men from Korat were denied a penalty as Ekkachai Rittipan tangled with a defender. He was adjudged to have dived and the visitors were reduced to ten men as he received a second yellow for simulation.

A deserved one goal lead for Port at half time and within minutes of the start of the second half Josimar made it 2-0 with a close range shot. Port now began to take a stranglehold on the game as the Swatcats seemed to capitulate. Shots and crosses rained in as the visitors visibly wilted.

Completely out of the blue and against the run of play, Paulo Rangel headed in on the hour mark to give some impetus to the visitors. The newly awaked Swatcats pressed forward with a couple of chances created as Port seemed to panic under the slightest pressure.

In the 75^th minute Weera failed to come off his line for a cross from a corner and Sergio Gustavo headed in to calm Port nerves. The Swatcats countered with Chakrit firing in an angled drive that was well saved by the home keeper but with 11 minutes remaining the three points looked safe for Port.

In a final nail in the coffin for Korat, Kridsada was sent off in the 92^nd minute for a second yellow card to reduce the visitors to 9 men.

A scrappy and messy encounter between two teams struggling for form. This became a battle of attrition in difficult conditions as the game progressed with Port taking advantage of their home advantage with a comfortable victory.

Disappointing but fairly typical performance from the visitors - little up front, fragile in defence, and unable to maintain possession in midfield.

 I am beginning to feel that Milos Joksic’s days as coach are numbered.

Match Day 30 Stats