Dateline 30th March 2019

 FT NRFC 1 Bangkok United 1

Attendance; 10807

Premier League title tilters Bangkok United were this weekend’s guests.

The Angels began with a veritable 20-minute blitzkrieg putting the Swatcat defence under siege with quick passing and fine movement. Cunningham brought off a fine save from a free kick as the Angels pressed but the resilient Swatcat defence weathered the storm.

 In the 37th minute, the hosts stormed ahead when a sensational strike from T May T flew in to the net from 25 yards. Growing in confidence after the early onslaught, Assumpcao then went close with an acrobatic effort and minutes later Amadou was brought down in the box and a penalty was awarded.

Assumpcao strode up to take the kick but his shot was brilliantly saved by keeper Falkesgaard - Assumpcao’s second penalty miss of the season.

As the second half commenced, the Angels keeper again made a fine save from an Assumpcao free kick as the Swatcats strived for a second goal but somewhat unexpectedly, the visitors equalized in the 57th minute with a fine goal from Anon.

Keeper Falkesgaard brought off his third miraculous save of the match when Amadou - who by the way was my man of the match, pivoted and blasted in from 18 yards.
In a topsy turvy period of play the Swatcats had a lucky escape in the 69th minute when Cunningham smothered a shot and the resulting loose ball was hammered in but Pralong lunged and cleared the ball off the line.

The hosts countered and Assumpcao’s attempted bicycle kick went narrowly wide and then the Bangkok keeper smothered a long range shot and saved again as Amadou pounced on the rebound.

 In the 76th minute, drama as Lee was felled in the box by a punch in the kidneys but after the resulting uproar, the referee took no action.

More late drama as, in the dying minutes, T May T thundered a shot against the crossbar but ultimately, the Swatcats had to settle for one point, thanks to the brilliance of the visitor’s keeper.

A great match, two fine goals and an excellent point for the Swatcats against one of the league’s top teams. Bangkok certainly were a classy and skillful side but the Swatcats matched them for guts and spirit and thoroughly deserved their point. Bangkok keeper Falkesgaard made two or three world class saves to deny the home team all three points – our bright start continues.

Footnote; The Swatcats are still the best supported team in Thailand, with all three home games so far attracting 10k plus attendances.

Match Day 5 Stats