The Swatcats continue their East Coast endeavours when they take on the Chonburi Sharks in the next round of TPL fixtures (Wednesday 26^th February, KO 1745 hours, TV coverage TBC).

This is a difficult one to call but I suggest that the Swatcats, following their victory at Rayong, may get something from this match.

Thaiwolf prediction; East coast double, Away win.

Dateline 21^st February 2020

 FT Rayong FC 1 NRFC 2

Attendance; 3600

In their second away match, the Swatcats were on the East Coast to take on newly promoted Rayong FC.

In a sign of things to come, Leandro Assumpcao went close with a free kick in the fourth minute as the visitors pressed. The home team looked very lively up front with slightly kamikaze intent allowing space at the back at times that the Swatcats looked to exploit, with Amadou in particular continuing to look dangerous.

In the 14^th minute Assumpcao latched onto a smart pass from Amadou and slotted home superbly from 18 yards to give the Swatcats the lead. The Swatcats then defended doggedly as Rayong pressed for an equalizer.

As a largely incident free half drew to a close, the visitors were good value for their one goal lead.

The second half began with Rayong huffing and puffing without producing clear chances, with the visitor’s somewhat agricultural defending keeping them out.

With the game meandering with no real volition from either side, the game burst into life in the 70^th minute when Dennis Murillo wacked in a superbly taken free kick from outside the box - my view from behind the goal suggested a boomerang like swerve in the shot’s flight that deceived a sprawling keeper.

Rayong countered and a free kick just outside the box was inches wide, then real controversary as Rayong were awarded a penalty in the 87^th minute after a VAR review. Keeper Cunningham brilliantly kept the spot kick out but VAR had spotted that he was off his line. The kick was retaken and converted leaving the home side with a sniff of a point. The visitors however remained composed and held on for the three points and a vital victory.

Well a rugged defensive display (I’m still not convinced !!), two tremendous goals from our Brazilians and three points away from home. Our defence will however, continue to be destroyed by better teams. Rayong were bubbly and racy in attack and were unlucky at times but somehow the defence managed to clumsily keep tabs on them.

Murillo is looking good and if we can keep Assumpcao fit, mid table is beckoning - and I for one, will be happy with that!!

Match Day 2 Stats

The Swatcats travel to the east coast this Friday to take on Premier League newcomers Rayong (Friday 21^st February, KO 2000 hours, TV coverage Truesports HD2). Rayong are most pundit’s favourites for relegation and the game should represent a chance of three points for the Swatcats.

Thaiwolf’s prediction; Away win.

Dateline 15^th February 2020

 FT Port FC 4 NRFC 1

Attendance; 6940

In this, the first game of the 2020 season, the game was preceded by a minute’s silence in honour and remembrance of the victims of last weekend’s shooting.

In a disastrous start, the visitors went one behind after 4 minutes. A Port free kick was floated in and the flick on found a completely unmarked Sergio Suarez on the far post. With Swatcat confidence wavering and with stirring home support, Port surged forward with the visitor’s defence being torn to pieces time and time again.

The second for Port seemed likely to come and but amazingly, the visitors countered and a superb Assumpcao free kick was headed onto the crossbar by Murillo. Minutes later Murillo went inches wide with a precision header.

On 28 minutes Port surged forward and a decent cross presented Heberty with a far post tap in.

In a topsy turvy half a deflected shot flew inches wide of the Port upright but in truth, a 2-0 half time score line could have been much worse for the visitors.

Minutes into the second half, a quickly taken free kick presented Heberty with a second tap in. There was a VAR review but the goal was awarded to put Port three up.

In the 62^nd minute Amadou volleyed in superbly from a corner clearance.

This revitalized the men in yellow and they settled into a period of pressure with Port defending ever more deeply. Late in the half Chichanok went close with a diving header and with the visitors pressing, Port broke forward and scored with a well worked forth in the 88^th minute.

A good game with a slightly flattering score line but the Swatcats were well beaten by a superior side. There were however moments to savour. Murillo should have scored a brace and a VAR penalty decision went against us. On the downside, the defence was an absolute shambles.

 Port exploited the flanks effectively with often men running forward completely unmarked with captain Chalermpong looking very shaky, especially with Korean Yoon Junsung by his side.

We will win more matches than we lose playing like this but there has to be a rethink regarding the defensive formation. Port exploited the back four by playing wide on both flanks, perhaps playing with five at the back may be the way forward – and I do have my doubts about the pairing of skipper Chalermpong and Junsung !!

Match Day 1 Stats