Isaan Derby Tournament Update – Second day fixtures.

Isaan Derby Tournament Update – Second day fixtures.

FT 3^rd place play off - Si Saket 5  Roi Et FC 2

Roi Et played some pretty passing football in midfield at times but they were overpowered comfortably by Premier League outfit Si Saket. Si Saket looked stronger as the game progressed with Roi Et unable to produce much of a threat up front.

Attendance : 500

FT Final – Nakhon Ratchasima FC 5 Nong Bua Pitchaya FC 1

A first half blitz during which Nahkon Ratchasima raced into a 3 nil lead within the first 16 minutes effectively extinguished Nong Bua’s hopes of winning the Isaan Derby trophy.

Make no mistake, Nong Bua are a decent side as shown by their defeat of premier League side  Si Saket in the first round of matches, but they found it difficult to cope with the skill and pace of Dominic Adiyiah who was ably supported by Pina and Velkoski.

Nong Bua opened brightly but were soon swamped by the attacking force of the hosts. Using long and rangy balls down the flanks, the home team opened the scoring in the 6^th minute when Nattapong headed in after fine work from Adiyiah. Two minutes later Adiyiah broke though the middle of the park and finished a fine solo effort to make it two nil.

The game was effectively sealed when the Swatcats scored a third in the 16^th minute when Eakkanut Kongket lashed home from 8 yards. The Swatcats remained in complete control for the rest of the first half with the Gamecocks unable to mount any real challenge.

The second half began with the home side pressing and in the 49^th minute a long ball over the top caught the Nong Bua defence napping and Chakrit slotted home the fourth.

Nong Bua went close with a long range shot in the 55^th minute and again in the 58^th minute with a header cleverly tipped over the bar by the home keeper but Korat countered with an Adiyiah drive drifting narrowly wide.

Roi Et scored a consolation goal with a penalty kick in the 83^rd minute but the hosts countered with a late tap in from Sarawut to seal a well earned victory and lift the inaugural Isaan Derby Cup.

Trying not to be too optimistic and this weekend’s opposition has not been the greatest, but the team looks very fluid and pacy going forward. Adiyiah seems on fire and Pina and Velkoski look very competent.

Although the defence has not experienced much direct pressure, Igbonefo looked rock solid at the back – some good signs for the coming season.

Attendance : 3200

Footnote ;  A most enjoyable festival of football with plenty of goals. How good would this entity be, if next year Buriram and Ubon UMT joined the fun? I hope that this does become an annual event – well done to the club’s administrators