Dateline 5th August 2018
FT NRFC 0 Bangkok
United 0
Attendance; 4677
The Swatcats welcomed the Angels from Bangkok in this, the
last match before the near month long break for the Asian Games.
In a rather bizarre line up, wingback Akekanat was played up
front and Malaysian striker Shahrel was played as a wingback - a role he
certainly looked uncomfortable in. Yayar Kunath was also given a start.
In a first half
almost devoid of chances the visitors showed great passing skills which
resulted in large periods of midfield possession with the hosts unable at times
to get the ball from their more talented adversaries. Their possession however
was not being rewarded by chances created as the hosts defended bravely.
The Angels were restricted to a single long range shot that
drifted wide and a headed half chance from a corner. The hosts for their part
went close when Kunath failed to connect with a pin point cross and Akekanat
dragged a shot wide.
As a rather entertaining first half concluded, neither
keeper had been called into serious action.
The second half started with the hosts beginning to assert
themselves as the Angels began to fade. The momentum seemed to have shifted in
favour of the hosts as they hunted for a vital first goal.
In the 73rd minute Yayar Kunath connected with a
well directed free kick but his header was weak and drifted wide - one thought
that if it had been Assumpcao on the end of the free kick, the deadlock would
have been broken!!
A minute later, the finest move of the match. Assumpcao
broke forward and a deft flick put Jakkit clear. His cross was met by the
advancing Assumpcao but his chance was foiled by a combination of defender and
keeper and the ball was deflected just wide.
In a late Bangkok surge, Robson was inches wide with a fine
drive and then in the 93rd minute Pokklaw Anan’s 25 yard shot shaved
the post with keeper Cunningham flailing - probably the Angels first real chances
of the match.
Another fighting performance to gain a vital point against a
technically superior Bangkok outfit. In a game of precious few chances, the
Swatcats, fighting for their very TPL existence, defied the Angels from Bangkok
and indeed could have snatched all three points with what was arguably their
only clear cut chance of the match.
We now go into the Asian Games break on a relative high,
sitting in a creditable 8h place and 6 points clear of the relegation zone.
Match Day 26 Stats
