Dateline 9th March 2019

 FT Ratchaburi Mitr Phol FC 2 NRFC 3

Attendance; 6315

Starting in an unfamiliar all purple strip and without injured skipper Chalermpong, the visitors opened brightly with Assumpcao blasting in a shot that the home keeper did well to parry.

In the 9^th minute, with Ratchaburi on the back foot, the ball was bundled into the net by Henri following a free kick. The incident was reviewed by VAR and the goal was disallowed for hand ball - the Swatcat’s second goal in three matches to be denied by VAR!!

The Swatcats regrouped and went one up on 20 minutes when Amadou struck a low drive into the net from 30 yards. Minutes later Henri was denied a stone wall penalty. The decision went to VAR review and the decision was reversed. Assumpcao stroked in the spotkick to put the Swatcats two up.

Ratchaburi went close with a close-range effort in the 35^th minute - their only real chance of the half.

A spirited first half from the visitors, putting the Dragons under almost constant pressure and effectively subduing the Dragons as an attacking force.

As the second half commenced, I Just hope that we do not defend too deeply whilst trying to maintain the two goal lead.

Ratchaburi began to exert some early pressure and they almost immediately pulled one back when a rocket shot struck the upright and bounced back into Cunningham’s grateful arms. The visitors countered and Henri went close from an Amadou cross.

In the 65^th minute, Assumpcao connected with a long ball forward and stroked the ball neatly into the net to put the Swatcats three up and with Ratchaburi appearing to lose heart that should be job done and three well earned points.

Ratchaburi scored a consolation goal; in the 85^th minute with a stooped header creeping in - a goal they barely deserved and in late drama Ratchaburi were awarded a penalty after a VAR review. The penalty was scored to leave a tense last minute of play.

Make no mistake, the final scoreline was flattering for Ratchaburi - this was a rout.

One of the best performances I have seen from a Swatcat team - they were on fire against a disappointing Ratchaburi side. I think we are onto a winner with our Henri, Assumpcao, Amadou combo - boy did they look dangerous tonight. This coupled with our usual stonewall defence means that we could be top six contenders this season.

Match Day 3 Stats

Dateline 3^rd March 2019

 FT NRFC 1 Chiang Rai United 2

Attendance; 17215*

*official published figure, I think it is a typo, should be 7215

The Swatcats welcomed the beetles of Chiang Rai in this the opening home game of the new campaign.

Bill almost caused an early shock in the third minute when he found himself clear, but his low drive was beaten away by keeper Cunningham. The hosts then countered with some impressive forward play involving new boys Amadou and Henry. One of these thrusts forward culminated in a fine Assumpcao drive that shaved the upright.

In the 21^st minute Chiang Rai headed in from a free kick, but the offside flag had been raised and the effort was ruled out. There then followed some intense Swatcat pressure but after a swift counter, Rodrigues Da Silva back heeled Chiang Rai into the lead in the 29^th minute. Minutes later Henri tapped in to equalize after a goal mouth melee.

All square at half time but with Bill looking dangerous for Chiang Rai and the hosts threatening almost at will, more goals will surely come.

The Swatcats began the second half on the front foot with continuing thrusts forward with Amadou and Assumpcao looking increasingly dangerous. In the 59^th minute after some superb work from Assumpcao set Henri free, the Ivorian ran in on goal but fired into the side netting from 8 yards.

In the 75^th minute, Chiang Rai were awarded a penalty for a trip inside the box. Bill converted the spot kick to give the visitors the lead.

In a game of few genuine chances and two decent, well matched sides, Chiang Rai were slightly fortunate to win this one. I was most impressed with our new boys Amadou and Henri. They linked well with Assumpcao and will form a formidable forward force this season.

 A disappointing but not disastrous result and I believe that the display should provide the team with optimism for the coming campaign.

Match Day 2 Stats

Dateline 23rd Feb 2019

 FT PTT Rayong 0 NRFC 1

Attendance; 4637

The season’s opener saw the Swatcats visit premier league newcomers PTT Rayong.

The first half was dominated by a bright, quick passing Rayong team that had the visitors reeling. The home team were well drilled and had good shape and conversely, the Swatcats looked rusty and disorganized. As the first half whistle blew. The visitors trudged off not quite knowing what had hit them and pleased not to be a couple of goals down.

The second half began with a more spirited stance from the visitors, just like a light switch had been turned on, they attacked with real menace, stringing passes together and putting Rayong on the back foot. In the 53^rd minute, Henri - who by the way had a fine game, cut inside and unleashed a thunderous drive that smashed against the bar and bounced down onto the goal line. A goal was awarded but amid protests from the PTT players, VAR was utilised and the goal was ruled out.

PTT responded and keeper Cunningham did well to tip over a deflected effort and then minutes later a long-range drive went inches over the bar. The Swatcats continued to deal effectively with more pressure and as the game was drawing to a close, a looping cross was met by Assumpcao whose header evaded the keeper to nestle gently in the back of the net.

This was definitely a “game of two halves”. PTT looked a fine team in the first half but a better second half performance from the Swatcats put PTT under pressure and ultimately, this second half performance was rewarded with the winning goal.

A rather fortunate three points against a PTT team who, I think will do well this season. A morale boosting away win that should give the men from Korat confidence and their fighting spirit bodes well for the battles ahead.

Match Day 1 Stats

2019 Season Preview

With the 2019 preseason Leo Cup only a week away (tournament starts on 12^th Jan, Swatcats’s first game 13^th Jan), it’s time to look forward to the Swatcat’s prospects in the Premier League this season.

I certainly am more optimistic about the coming season than I was at this time last season. With coach Milos Joksic promising a more attacking approach and a top 7 finish, things are looking bright for the upcoming season.

The acquisitions of midfielder Amadou Quattara and striker Bernard Cedric Doumbia (Henri) adds further evidence of a step forward for the team. Building on last year’s defensive strength with this bolstering of the team’s attacking options, suggests that this could be a breakthrough season for the team.

Nakhon Ratchasima FC have been sensibly and sustainably building during its 4-year tenure within the Premier League with sound mid table positions becoming the norm but now the team is at an important crossroads - does the team invest in quality players and attempt to procure a top six position or is the club content with a sustainable and highly respectable mid table obscurity?

I tend to think that the latter option is the way forward. We will never compete with Buriram, Muang Thong, Bangkok United or Port. Simply put, these teams have the financial resources to fill their teams with high quality players - and best of luck to them. We can however compete within the next echelon of 4 or 5 teams and this should be our target.

The club is currently investing heavily in its Youth Academy and that bodes well for the future but unless we discover a rich “sugar daddy” our chances of advancement into being a top Thai side are limited. Currently coach Milos Joksic is doing a fine job with a mediocre squad of players and I suspect that if he were given the right tools, the sky would be the limit.

So mid table is our lot. I am happy with this scenario and my view is that relegation will not be on the agenda - perhaps with a few lucky breaks, we may break into the top six !!

Season 2018 Review

After a surprisingly bright start that saw the team soaring into the top 6, the team settled into a comfortable mid table position although, it must be said never more than 4 or 5 points clear of the relegation zone. This was a crucial season for the team, with 5 down, I was not alone amongst Thai football pundits in thinking that they might be one of the favourites for the dreaded drop.

The club’s rather bold mid-season decision to end the contracts of Adiyiah and Rangel and bring in Assumpcao and other supporting squad players appeared to have paid off with improved second leg results.

The low point of the season was the walloping at home by Port followed by another home defeat to Chonburi. These were two dreadful performances and my spirits fell alarmingly as the spectre of relegation loomed large.

Highpoint was probably the run in the league cup, ended unfortunately by the loss on penalties to Chang Rai in the semifinal. A good day out for the fans and a morale booster for the players.

Questions will be asked of coach Joksic. My take is that he has led us to a fairly comfortable mid table finish with an average bunch of players. The team is now established in the Premier League and only investment in better players will help the club to kick on. Unfortunately, I think this is unlikely to happen so the future seems to be mid table obscurity.

Positives are that Malaysian striker Shehrel looks to have a great future with the club and the team’s defence, although at times appearing disorganized has looked fairly secure.

Assumpcao’s future is questionable and I am not sure that he is the right man up front. Coach Joksic’s promise of new strikers being brought in must bring his future into doubt. The coach has also promised that fans will see a more positive approach next season and that he is 100% confident that the team will finish in the top 7 - here’s hoping.

Dateline 7^th Oct0ber 2018

 FT Bangkok Glass 1 NRFC 2

Attendance; 5053

In this the last game of the season, Bangkok Glass needed a solitary point to avoid relegation.

The home team opened brightly, dominating play in the first 20 minutes but not really creating many clear-cut chances. In the 31st minute, a poor Cunningham clearance was returned to Totti who rifled in from 18 yards to give Glass a deserved lead.

With the Swatcat’s usual lack of constructive forward play thus far, this looked like an easy 3 points for the home side.

In a totally unexpected turn of events, the visitors came out of their shell and Akekanat swept in from close range after the home keeper dropped a cross. Minutes later, Tanaboon brought down Assumpcao just outside the box and was shown a red card for the offence. The home crowd was then stunned into silence as Assumpcao fired in beautifully from the free kick as they saw their side stare relegation in the face.

At half time The Swatcats were lucky to be 2-1 up and Glass were beginning to look anxious and panic stricken.

The second half began and the expected onslaught from Glass came. An 18-yard free kick was deflected just over Cunningham’s bar but the host’s desperate surges forward of course left gaps at the back and Akekanat was unlucky with a glancing header.

Glass continued to play the better football but the Swatcat’s defensive resolve was proving hard to conquer. They pressed, as in the first half, but again clear-cut chances did not come. In the 58^th minute, man of the match Akekanat kicked clear in a goalmouth scramble to defy Glass and on 67 minutes an angled drive flew just over.

 In the 79^th minute a delightful cross presented Kunath with a chance to tap in, but unbelievably he mistimed his effort and the ball was cleared.  Glass countered and in another goalmouth scramble Cunningham bravely cleared the danger. With increased desperation Glass flooded forward and Decha this time was the hero as he cleared a dangerous situation. A minute later Cunningham saved miraculously from a point-blank header as the pressure built.

In the 80^th minute Cunningham was again the hero when he pushed out a close-range shot - he took a real battering tonight as for the third time, a Glass forward clattered into him - he really is a warrior in times of need!!

With crosses raining in and Glass’s desperation growing the Swatcat defence time and again cleared their lines and in the 80^th minute Cunningham brought off another blinder of a save from a close-range shot.

 In the closing minutes, Bangkok Glass’s defence was again found absent when substitute Shehrel blasted over with only the keeper to beat - in reality, despite Glass’s pressure, the Swatcats had produced more quality chances.

In a final desperate and final flourish, Totti went close in the dying seconds but the visitors held on for the victory.

A dour defensive performance which sent Bangkok Glass plummeting down into Tier 2. A lucky 3 points, however the defence must be commended for some brave and at times heroic work to keep Glass at bay.

7th place in the league following this result - a commendable effort from an average bunch of players who have been coached - by necessity I believe, to avoid defeats. Not great to watch but the alternative, especially in this 5 down season was relegation!!

Match Day 34 Stats and end of season table

Dateline 3^rd October 2018

 FT NRFC 1 Chang Rai 1

Attendance; 2356

The home team started adventurously with Shehrel and Jakkit breaking positively down the right flank. This strategy was rewarded in the 13^th minute when Akekanat ghosted into the box to nod in from a free kick.

After near constant pressure, on 20 minutes, Assumpcao launched an angled drive that was well saved by the visitor’s keeper. Kitsada also went close with decent shot as the Swatcats pressed. Minutes later Noppol put in a bullet header from a corner. This effort was thwarted by a world class save from the keeper.

With the Swatcats seemingly well in control - in fact probably the best half of football played by the team this season, they were shocked by a fine shot that Cunningham managed to tip over and then on the stroke of half time, Sarawut converted a corner with a fine header to level the scores

.

As the first half drew to a close, the Swatcats were perhaps unlucky not to be ahead.

The second half started with the home team trying to regain their lead, but Chang Rai had other ideas. Striker Bill went close in the 50^th minute and minutes later Cunningham brought off an excellent save from a 20-yard free kick.

With the visitor’s confidence growing by the minute, Bill spurned a great chance when he hooked over from 6 yards - the Swatcats were living dangerously!! These chances apart, the second half yielded little of merit and as the game petered out, one’s thought was that a draw was a fair reflection of the game.

In a game punctuated by incidents of brutish behaviour from Chang Rai players and 9 intermissions for players to receive medical attention, this was a decent if not spectacular performance from the Swatcats. If nothing else, the point gained tonight cements their tenure within the Premier League.

With the possibility of a top ten finish within the team’s reach, I guess the season might be viewed by some as a successful campaign - I personally am on the fence in this regard.

Match Day 33 Stats