Dateline 6^th December 2015

 Bangkok United 3 NRFC 0

Bangkok United, chasing an improbable AFC Champions League spot took on 8^th place NRFC in the capital. Bangkok United were, in my judgment the best side to visit the 80^th Anniversary Stadium this year, gaining an emphatic victory in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season.

There was a strong contingent of fans from Korat, who probably outnumbered the home fans – what a pity such a talented team should play before such paltry numbers of fans – average attendance under 3000 fans!

A cautious start from both teams with Korat making some useful sorties forward but relying too often on speculative long balls aimed at Lee Tuck. Bangkok did not show much early doors but I suspect there is a lot more to come later.

A bad miss by the home team from a 6 yard header following a corner kept the scores level but after some pressure, Jojo scored a smart goal in the 32^nd minute to give the home side the lead. A minute later a reckless challenge by T May T led to a red card being brandished and the men in white reduced to 10 men.

Swatcats continued to probe and probably had slightly the edge during the first half and were a little unlucky to end the half one down.

The second half began with a lot of midfield sparring with neither side able to stamp real authority on the game. A great save from the Bangkok keeper – indeed a “superrrsave” in the 54th minute prevented an equalizer from the men from Isaan. Minutes later a snap shot from Noah Chivuta stung the palms of the home teams keeper as NRFC continued to test the Bangkok defence. Moments later, a Lee Tuck angled shot shaved the upright and in terms of clear chances the Swatcats should have been ahead in this encounter.

The home side countered when Jojo launched a great low volley which flew inches wide.

A 77^th minute penalty, with a further penalty 2 minutes later being placed wide and an 85^th minute strike sealed the points for the home side.

Bangkok undoubtedly has some classy individuals in the side but seemed to stutter tonight – hardly a heavenly performance from the Bangkok Angels but a vital 3 points gained - a slightly flattering score line I think.

Dateline 28^th November 2015

NRFC 0 Port 0

The 80^th Anniversary stadium welcomed the relegation threatened Port. The attendance seemed to be around 13-14 thousand, including a fair sized and vocal following for Port.

The boys from Khlong Toei desperately needing something from this game opened brightly but the game developed into a sterile midfield stalemate with neither side able to create chances. Port being restricted to a couple of speculative long range shots and NRFC continuing to pump long balls forward searching for an off colour Adido.

The first half ended goalless with neither side able to get the breakthough.

The second half started slowly but the 60th minute saw a guilt edged chance to seal the win for the home side – in truth one of few chances in the game. The Swatcats were certainly not firing on all cylinders tonight and the lack of chances made should be a worry for coach Kambe.

Neither team created much with only a couple of half chances from both sides. A dead rubber for NRFC, cemented as they are in 8^th place but a vital game for the visitors. Port fought hard for their point and on balance were good value for the point.

The main highlight, in fact, one of few highlights was watching Madame Pang flouncing around like a dizzy teen at the prom in front of the main stand pre match – playing to her adoring fans – not!!

Dateline 25^th November 2015

Buriram United 4 NRFC 0

In a great stadium, with a great atmosphere – just as football everywhere should be, the two best supported teams in Thailand entered the arena to a slightly disappointing turnout – the stadium seemed about two thirds full - maybe 18-20 thousand – lowered perhaps due to  the midweek kick off and the fact that it was Loy Krathong day.

A large, colourful and vocal following urged on the team from Korat, amassed in one corner, a sliver of orange in a sea of deep blue at the aptly named Thunder Castle.

With both teams vying for bragging rights in the rural Issaan derby, the high flying and highly talented Buriram outfit went immediately on the offensive with NRFC failing to make any great headway. The early Buriram surge continued with NRFC not showing much ambition early on and content to soak up the pressure

Almost constant pressure led to a 12^th minute strike to give the home side the lead. NRFC eventually settled and started putting some pressure on the home team’s defence.

In a first half dominated by Buriram the men from Korat were fortunate to be only one down.

The second half was still young when Buriram raced into a 2-0 lead with a smart header. The home side continued to press and created a couple of good chances culminating in a solo effort from Diogo to make it three. NRFC continued to labour but a snap shot that hit the post raised the spirits a little.

A fourth from Diogo sealed a fine win, with the last 10 minutes resulting in shooting practice for the future Champs!!

In conclusion the Swatcats were simply outclassed. Buriram looked the better side – they were simply tactically and technically superior. They are the team by whom to judge yourself by if you have any ambition. NRFC certainly were no match for them tonight

I was impressed with Buriram. They looked a complete, confident and well coached outfit with good shape that they were able to maintain. NRFC in contrast seemed unable to match the home side in any way.

 I see little chance of current TPL teams being able to challenge the men in blue in the seasons to come.

All Good Things Come to an End!!

Swatcats take their 10 match unbeaten run to Thunder Castle on Wednesday taking on the high flying Buriram United. I fear that this superb run is about to be terminated – oh, well, all good things come to an end…however……… as the saying goes, ……it is, after all, eleven vs eleven!!!!

“Sing when yer winnin’”

Oh how easy it is to tweet, blog and shout when your team is winning. After a win by your heroes you check the table 20 times the day after the match – not that it will change – after a loss the depression is such that we dare not look. After a win, tweets fly, bragging rights established, after a loss a cursory comment least we are labeled poor losers.

I really feel for TOT fans, loss after loss no real future for the team. I have massive respect for the few diehards who turn out, week after week. How I envy the Thunder Castle army who reign in their impregnable fortress in the East.

My team, The Swatcats from Korat, has achieved two promotions in my five year addiction to the club and currently sit in a remarkable eighth place in the Premier League. I have no complaints, the club is progressing and has a massive future but…….

……..yes, I am a hypocrite, I am guilty of all the above. Hard as it is, I try to give credit to the opponents after a loss, I try not to inflate the performance of the winners. I try to inform, report what I see…..

…….but….If out team wins 1-0 it’s a great game, what a performance, if we lose 1-0 it’s “What a load of crap, sack the coach!!”.

Do we forget that, that shot off the post, that refereeing decision, that slip on wet turf could determine the outcome of the match?

Hands up all those not guilty of any or all of the above.

Dateline 15^th November 2015

NRFC 1 Chonburi Sharks 0

The evening began with a respectful moment of silence pre match as a tribute to the dead and injured of the Paris massacre.

 In front of a decent and enthusiastic crowd (around 18-20 000 I would guess) – including a splendid following for the men in white, the game commenced.

The hosts had the majority of possession and passed the ball well in the early stages with plenty of movement. The Sharks spurned a couple of early chances with a dramatic goal line clearance in the 17^th minute keeping the score goalless.

Both teams traded chances in an entertaining opening half with Adido, being preferred as starter to Lee Tuck, looking dangerous for the home team and Thiago Cunha representing a major threat for the visitors.

An entertaining but goalless first half with both teams trying to play attractive football. In my opinion one of the best halves of football played by the Swatcats this season.

In the second half the visitors defended effectively and looked dangerous on the break. Both sides continued to play good football although the game clearly needed a goal or two to liven it up. The second half yielded few chances with both defences able to neutralize their opponents.

Swatcats ended with a flourish and were rewarded with a winner from Lindemann in the 92^nd minute.

I think on reflection a fair result between two decent footballing teams with the Swatcats reeling in their big fish opponents and poor fin-ishing thwarting the Chonburi outfit

As a side note, Did anyone else think that the opposing players were very friendly towards each other tonight – lots of smiles , backslapping and exchanges of shirts – maybe both sides fancied a draw!!!

Swatcat Goal Facts

 Regarding our much lamented defence – and I admit, I have been one of the biggest critics, it is interesting to note that at the time of writing (1^st November) of the teams above us in the league Suphanburi, Bangkok United, Ratchaburi and Chonburi have all conceded the same or more goals as NRFC.

In contrast, The Swatcats have have scored less than any other top ten team.

 It appears that in the first half of the season we were able to score fairly freely but at the same time we were conceding lots of goals. Recently we have been able to keep a few clean sheets (god knows how in my opinion!!) but our goal scoring has been lacking. This perhaps suggests a tactical move by the coach to help fix the early defensive flaws. I am not sufficiently tactically savvy to have noticed the change but the team does seem to be playing deeper. If this has been a decision by Kambe, it may have contributed to our 9 game unbeaten run.

We certainly do not play with out and out strikers who consistently play up front. Lindemann and Tuck often seem to me to be extra midfield players who tend to bolster the midfield. This in turn allows the midfielders to provide more cover for the defence.

Whatever the tactical” ins and outs”, they seem to have served the team well and the manager/coaching team should be applauded for their work.