Dateline 28^th April

 FT NRFC 4 Chonburi Sharks 0 

Attendance; 12667

Chonburi Sharks, fresh from there amazing 7-5 victory last weekend, were the visitors this weekend.

The Sharks started confidently and could have gone ahead in the third minute when a low drive drifted wide. The Swatcats then slowly built momentum and after a rather sterile opening half hour, during which neither side created clear cut chances, Henry opened the scoring. A superb backheel flick found the Ivorian who stroked the ball confidently into the net.

The Swatcats consolidated their lead with a well-crafted goal in the 40^th minute. Henri stepped

 over the ball from an Amadou pass to leave Assumpcao clear on the edge of the box and he thumped home to put the Swatcats two up.

Lukian had a great chance to pull one back when he shot narrowly wide in the 43^rd minute and as the first half drew to a close, without doing anything special, the hosts found themselves two nil up at half time!!

The second half commenced with the Swatcat defence sitting deep - a team trait that keeps resurfacing. The Sharks countered and began to throw men forward and one wondered if the hosts could exploit gaps inevitably left at the back.

The answer came in the 65^th minute when Assumpcao ended a fine solo run with a low drive that was saved by the ex-Swatcat keeper Kampon. Minutes later the Brazilian stroked home to put the hosts three up.

In late drama Assumpcao raced onto a through ball from Amadou. His run was ended by a lunging tackle inside the box from Noppanon and a penalty was awarded. The unfortunate defender was red carded (for a second yellow I think) and Assumpcao converted the spot kick to complete his hat trick.

A decent performance and a great victory tonight. Henry, Amadou and Assumpcao prove yet again what a handful they can be and the Sharks defence just could not cope. A word here for unsung hero Kidsada Hamvipat. He tackled again and again to add some much needed bite in midfield - he’s a real warrior.

A great hat trick from Assumpcao but the Sharks fans really need to know why the Brazilian was left completely unmarked in the box for his first two goals - conceding 9 goals in two matches is worrying even cataclysmic for Chonburi and it could lead to potential disaster!!

Onwards and upwards, Champions Buriram next. This match should be used as a gauge as to how far we have progressed and could answer the question, “Can we hack it against the best?”.

Match Day 9 Stats