Dateline 19^th Feb 2017 – Match day 2.

 FT NRFC 1 Police Tero 1

The Swatcats welcomed newly formed Police Tero FC in the inaugural home match of the 2017 TPL season. The Fire Dragons started with ex-Swatcat keeper Kampon in goal.

In front of a healthy crowd of 12 250 fans, the home side had the better of the first 30 minutes although Tero played some neat passing football at times. With Adiyiah a constant thorn in their side, Tero withstood early pressure and in what was otherwise an uneventful opening. Only a long range Adiyiah shot in the 15^th minute and a fine free kick from Chanatphon set the pulse racing.

Tero did not put a single shot of any substance on target in the first half.

Tero went ahead in the 53rd minute after a needless and clumsy challenge by Igbonefo gave Tero a penalty. After going one down the hosts panicked and resorted to the long ball with little effect. They rarely looked dangerous and indeed Tero went close in the 63^rd minute and again in the 79^th minute with a shot hitting the bar.

In the 85^th minute a bullet header from Adiyiah was saved by the keeper and Igbonefo tapped in the deflection. The goal was disallowed as Adiyiah was correctly adjudged to have been offside.

Well into injury time, the hosts leveled when a Chakrit shot was deflected into the goal. Ironic but pleasing that the  5 minutes added on time led to the goal after Tero’s infuriating time wasting tactics earlier in the game.

With literally seconds to go a quick break by Tero saw a shot slide wide in what would have been an undeserved winner.

A disappointing and frustrating night for the Swatcats although salvaging a point was an obvious bonus. The lack of penetration against Tero’s well organized defence is something to work on. In truth, penalty apart, Tero had few chances but I guess they deserved their point.

Still unbeaten but we must win these home games. 4 points against two decent sides is a fine start to the new campaign and I foresee a fairly successful season ahead.

Dateline 12^th Feb 2017

 FT Sukhothai 0 NRFC 1

The Swatcats began their 2017 campaign at the home of the Firebats hoping to get their season off to a flying start.

Playing in a fetching sky blue and white kit the visitors opened brightly with Adiyiah testing the home keeper in the 2^nd minute with an angled drive. A minute later Adiyiah again drew a fine save from the keeper but was ruled offside.

Midway through the first half, and the Swatcats continued to “rule the roost” with Sukhothai seemingly unable to string passes together - early days but the visitors seemed in charge.

The men from Korat opened the scoring in the 27^th minute when Chakrit rifled in an angled drive from 14 metres - Sukhothai look tired - maybe their Chinese exploits in the ACL are catching up with them.

As the first half drew to a close, it was becoming a “one man show” as Adiyiah again went close in the 40^th minute - Sukhothai were yet to register a shot on goal.

The second half commenced and I just do not think that Sukhothai could play as badly as they did in the first half. I think this one may be down to how well the Swatcats can keep their concentration.

Bireme went close for the hosts in the 51^st minute - their first real chance. They looked a little livelier after half time but the Swatcat players seemed quicker to the ball and more dangerous going forward.

With 20 minutes to go, the hosts were growing in confidence and were getting more of the ball. Although creating no clear chances, they fought themselves back into the game and were putting pressure on the visitor’s goal.

In a rare second half foray, Adiyiah shot wide as the Firebats continued to press. Although under considerable second half pressure the Swatcat defence looked solid with Igbonefo particularly impressive

A bright attacking performance in the first half followed by a strong rearguard action in the second half.  An encouraging start to the season by the Swatcats. The team line up looks balanced and they look impressive going forward. Our new acquisitions look to have settled in effectively and this performance leaves me fairly optimistic for the season ahead.

**************WELCOME TO THE TPL 2017 SEASON****************

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

Isaan Derby Tournament Update – First day fixtures

Isaan Derby Tournament Update – First day fixtures.

FT Si Saket 1 Nong Bua Pitchaya FC 2

Premier League Si Saket took on the plucky Nong Bua Gamecocks in the opening game of the tournament. An impressive Nong Bua overcame the Premier League outfit with an aggressive display of attacking football, spurning a couple of guilt edged chances on the way to a well deserved victory.

Nong Bua will take on Nakhon Ratchasima in Sunday’s final. I anticipate a strong challenge from the second tier side that played impressively this afternoon.

Attendance; me, a stray dog and 31 others.

FT Nakhon Ratchasima 4 Roi Et United 0

Before a crowd swelling to around 1-2000, the hosts took on the White Squirrels from Roi Et.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 5^th minute with Dominic Adiyiah dragging a shot wide of the keeper from 12 yards. Velkoski had a great  chance to put the Swatcats 2 up in the 16^th minute when he sent a header wide after a fine cross from Adiyiah.

Chanatphon put the hosts 2 up with a well taken free kick in the 41^st minute.

In the 61^st minute Chakrit scored the third after a fine flowing break – at this point the difference in class between the two sides was becoming increasingly apparent.

A controversially awarded penalty in the70th minute gave Adiyiah the chance to put the Korat side 4 up but the Roi Et keeper saved the shot. The Swatcats put the icing on the cake with a late 4^th goal. A tap in by Sarawut after good work from Adiyiah.

The team looked lively up front with Pina Velkoski and Adiyiah combining well to create many chances. The defence looked sound, although truth be told it was not severely tested tonight.

Nong Bua will provide a greater challenge in the final on sunday.

Attendance 1-2000

Dateline 23^rd Dec 2016

Friendly FT NRFC 0 Buriram United 2

 In front of around 3-4000 fans, a toothless display from the home side resulted in a victory for a polished Buriram outfit. The Swatcats were unable to produce any meaningful chances and Buriram punished some poor defending to run out comfortable winners.

Noah Chivuta and Bjorn Lindemann were brought on at half time and both did indeed inject some much needed quality but were unable to influence the final result.

 Although only a friendly and against a top opponent, I feel that, on this performance, goals may be hard to come by in the coming campaign. Based on this match, Lindemann will be missed and we can only hope that a replacement of real quality is being investigated.

The Latest Drama – my take.

First I would wish to offer my sincere condolences to the Thai people following the King’s death.

However…. this drama should not be able to hide itself under the shield of grief that is currently present in Thai society. This drama has been brought about by the usual blatant ineptitude of the FAT – if there is a wrong decision to be made, it would seem that the men in charge are the first in queue to make it.

We now have the ridiculous situation where it is OK to ogle girls (boys) in scanty attire and feathers at Alcazar and their like but not OK to watch the premier football league season draw to a conclusion.

The FAT jumped the gun – no other way to describe it. By making the rash and early decision to cancel the season they gave the nod to individual clubs to say “Ok the season is over that’s fine by me” – 4 clubs followed this lead – one of whom stood to retain premier league status by accepting the cancellation.

The FAT decision has once again led the TPL into a period of uncertainty and unending court action. I personally am growing tired of the off pitch dramas – I am a simple FOOTBALL fan. These dramas erode the confidence of ordinary fans in the league leadership.

Chainat and Army have been robbed of the chance to retain Premier League status by playing FOOTBALL and I feel for them. If I were a Chainat or Army fan, I would now be considering whether to support this league in the future – more much needed fans lost, maybe forever.

In my professional life I was taught to communicate, negotiate and consult before any decision was made. Had the FAT followed these innate professional procedures, this whole drama would not have unfolded.

What the FAT should have done:

Step 1 – check what the situation was regarding the parameters of the entertainment ban before cancelling the season.

Step 2 - Consult with the clubs.

Step 3 - Negotiate the ways in which Thai football could pay its respect to the Nation’s loss

Step 4 - Consider all the football implications of any decisions made.

Step 5 - Make the decision.

In my opinion, taking FOOTBALLING angles and the need to show respect, the following decision should have been taken.

The season should be allowed to conclude. The matches to be played behind closed doors (with the usual full live TV coverage available). 1 or 2 minutes silence pre-match, black armbands of course and teams to wear plain (no adverts or logos) black and white strips. This I feel would have shown full respect and would have received a positive response from the Thai people.

This drama was self inflicted and avoidable and to be honest my only thought now is “How long until the next disaster befalls Thai football… I don’t think we will be waiting long.