Dateline 25^th September 2016

 Pattaya United 4 NRFC 1

The Swatcats rolled into “sin city” searching for points to help achieve a top ten finish and possibly place one of the final nails in the coffin in the Blue Dolphins’ fight for premier league survival.

 The visitors began with a bang with a goal from Pratan in the 3^rd minute – a fine, powerful header from a well flighted corner.

The blue dolphins fought back with a series of raids forward, looking effective and particularly dangerous. With the Swatcat defence conceding a series of free kicks, one sensed that this could still be a long night for the men from Korat.

In the 10^th minute an angled shot from Pattaya struck the post and minutes later a lob went inches over the visitor’s crossbar.

In the 16^th minute a free kick was awarded just outside the box and the kick was expertly converted to equalize the score. The home team continued to probe and looked a decent team going forward. The Swatcats looked jaded and seemed to have no answers as Pattaya pressed.

Pattaya went ahead when a disputed penalty was awarded and converted in the 31^st minute - a lead they probably deserved. In the aftermath Lindemann was lucky to stay on the pitch following a head butt on an opponent. Minutes later a rare chance for the Swatcats as a half volley was well saved and from the resulting corner Tagbajumi headed wide.

After conceding yet another free kick, a whipped in cross was headed into the net to give the Blue Dolphins a 3-1 lead as the first half came to a close. In added time Chanatphol was dismissed for a dangerous tackle. All in all a bit of a horror show from the visitors so far.

With the match all but a dead rubber, the Swatcats failed to make the home team feel under any real pressure as the home team searched for a fourth goal and in the 60^th minute Pinto, completely unmarked inside the 6 yard box, headed in to complete his hat-trick.

A now demoralized Swatcat team played out the final 30 minutes hoping not to concede again and presumably left to wonder “what went wrong tonight?”

Not too many positives to be taken from this encounter. A stuttering performance with no real cohesion between defence, midfield and attack.  Few real chances were made and the defence looked very shaky throughout. The team was well beaten by a side tipped for relegation by many and the result was a bit of a shock to the many fans that made the long journey to watch the match – in short a reality check for the Swatcat team.

Dateline 17^th September 2016

 NRFC 2 Buriram United 0

The “Big Dawgs” of Isaan clashed tonight seeking the temporary bragging rights of the region.

In front of a feisty crowd of 22 000 fans (nice to see the stadium almost full to capacity), the Swatcats went immediately on the attack with Bjorn Lindemann hitting the woodwork with a thumping header from a well flighted corner in the first minute. Tunez then went close with a close range flick as the match immediately burst into life.

In the 6^th minute a quick counter attack ended when Lindemann drew a fine save from the visitor’s keeper – can this tempo last for the remaining 84 minutes!!

The game settled into a midfield battle with both sides jostling for dominance with Buriram looking more polished but being more than matched for endeavour by the home team. Diogo in particular looked real class.

On 21 minutes a free kick on the flank from Lindemann again brought the opposition keeper into action – Bjorn really is on fire at the moment!!! Minutes later Chanatphon went close with a 20 yard free kick.

After a quickly taken free kick, a cross was launched into the box and found Tagbajumi who bravely headed into the net to give the Swatcats a 30^th minute lead.

Buriram then began to exert pressure with a couple of half chances created and in the 44^th minute, in a somewhat harsh decision, a penalty was awarded for a challenge inside the box. The penalty taker spurned the chance to level the game, sending the kick narrowly wide.

As the half drew to a close, on chances alone, the home team was in charge but with Buriram’s pedigree and experience, they were still in the game.

The second half began with the home team probing and Buriram looking largely flat going forward. In the 59^th minute the visitors went close with a close range shot going wide. They continued to press and Diogo was unlucky when his shot was deflected wide in the 66^th minute. The home team countered and a Lindemann break led to a dangerous cross which was almost converted into a second goal as Chakrit flicked it over the bar.

In a further break by Tagbajumi in the 78^th minute, continued with a superb ball into the box from Lindemann, May T failed to convert what would have been a killer goal. The home team continued to flow forward confidently putting the Buriram rearguard under pressure but Buriram broke and hit the right upright with a diving header in the 82^nd minute – a close shave for the men in orange!

In a frenetic and emotional finale to the match, Buriram again hit the post but the home team immediately countered and Lindemann provided the “icing on the cake” with a superb solo effort to put the Swatcats two up.

A great contest and a most satisfying result for the men from Korat. The team is continuing to put in decent performances. I have said it before but it bears repeating, the team is playing better under Joksic than they were at any point last season – and we finished 8^th.

In terms of TPL dynamics, Buriram are certainly not the force they were and NRFC seem to be in the ascendancy. Tonight the Swatcats proved again that they can compete at the highest level… I think next season they may raise a few people’s eyebrows!!

Dateline 10^th September 2016

 Suphanburi 3 NRFC 1

10^th plays 11^th as in form NRFC take on the underachieving War Elephants in this weekend’s fixture. Suphan finished an excellent 3^rd in the TPL last year but this season they have struggled to string together a decent run of results.

The visitors opened confidently, dominating possession but the home team manufactured 2 decent chances on the break in the 15^th and 16^th minutes. In the 22^nd minute Lindemann, on his old stamping ground, broke thought the Suphan defence and his low drive was well saved by the keeper.

In the 32^nd minute after a fine break down the right flank Tagbajumi headed just wide and in a half of few real chances, a real opportunity to break the deadlock. Suphan then rallied and Chappuis went close from 10 yards on the cusp of half time.

A competent and well controlled first half performance with some decent build up play in midfield.

The second half began with a bang with a Darko Tasevski shot that thundered off the angle of the upright and the crossbar – the goal frame may still be shuddering!!!

In the 54^th minute Suphanburi went ahead with a well worked glancing header. The Swatcats then pressed forward searching for the elusive equalizer but with little effect - in fact Suphanburi looked the more dangerous of the two sides and in the 67^th minute the home side went two up with an unchallenged tap in from a corner. Lindemann immediately countered with a fine drive but it now looked all over for the visitors.

In the 82^nd minute after the ball was needlessly given away just outside the box the ball was slotted home to put the home side three up. Minutes later the Swatcats had a chance cleared off the line and from the resulting clearance, Pralong Sawandee clouted the ball into the net from 25 yards to give the score a more reasonable appearance.

In the 92^nd minute the Swatcats were awarded a very dubious penalty decision. Lindemann drove the penalty way over the bar – perhaps justice was done!!!

The team looked and performed like a decent team tonight and the spirit seemed good despite recent rumours of player’s salaries not being paid. Chances however were as usual at a premium despite decent build up at times – we are by no means a free scoring side!!

Defensive lapses in the second half cost us the points but full marks to Suphanburi for a deserved home win.

The climax to the 2016 TPL season is upon us and a time to look forward – and back to the journey of the team during the year.

With 6 games to go, my feeling is that the team is 100% safe from relegation – relegation that until 2 months ago looked a distinct possibility. The season started badly, with unexpected home defeats, poor performances and dwindling attendances. The team was in crisis – the team lacked spirit and pundits in the know were suggesting that Sugao Kambe’s coaching methods were lacking. As a mere on looking fan, I sensed that the players were lacking motivation and had lost respect for the coach.

The matches and performances lacked any kind of entertainment merit and I was not surprised that the fans voted with their feet – a nearly empty stadium at some of those early home marches was most disconcerting – but at least it was easy to get out of the carpark after the matches!!

The inevitable happened and Kambe was replaced. Milos Joksic, who had brought Pattaya United up into the Premier League, was appointed. He set a target of “top 10” and we all (well I did) cried “No chance!!!”.

What a revelation. An immediate change and some encouraging but not spectacular results. I am no tactician and upon asking some expert friends they could not detect an appreciable change in tactics but there was nonetheless a change. Joksic dropped local hero Noah Chivuta from the starting lineup and Bjorn Lindemann seemed “bjorn again” playing out of his skin match after match. He also made changes at the back and started playing Tagbajumi and Adiyiah together up front.

The squad seemed rejuvenated and a real spirit emerged on the pitch. Results continued to yield points as the team eased away from the bottom three. As I write the team sits in 11^th place on the same number of points as 10^th place Suphanburi.

So with games against Suphanburi and Buriram United next to test the team’s mettle and then 4 comparatively easy games against teams in the bottom five to conclude the season, a top ten finish does seem, after all a possibility.

So what of the season - well considerable relief if we avoid the drop, pleasure at seeing the improvement in the latter half of the season and optimism for next season – I really do think that the team are playing better now than they did last season.

A topsi-turvy season for sure keeping us all on tenterhooks for large parts…but hopefully with a happy ending.

Dateline 20^th August 2016

 NRFC 1 Bangkok United 1

NRFC faced a stern test of their credentials as they took on the high flying Bangkok United at the 80^th Anniversary Stadium.

The home side started brightly with Tagbajumi shooting over in the 2^nd minute then Adiyiah was on target after a fine run. Adiyiah then fired inches wide after a fine passing move.

Bangkok United attacked sporadically but their moves were looking somewhat sterile early on but the signs of class were becoming increasingly apparent as the match progressed – they have a talented squad.

In the 13th minute a fine break, with astute use of the long ball, Tagbajumi made the opposition keeper work with a low drive. The Angel’s goal now seemed under constant danger as Adiyiah again made the opposing keeper work to keep out a drive.

In a goalless first half, the Swatcats demonstrated that they can compete with the best that the TPL has to offer, in some ways they were unlucky not to be ahead.

The second half commenced with Bangkok on the attack but then a dangerous counter attack ended with Lindemann shooting over. With the home team exerting some fine pressure, Bangkok countered with Mario and Jaycee both going close.

In the 56^th minute the deadlock was broken when Chakrit drove home from 10 yards, then in the 61^st minute on the break, with 3 attackers faced by one defender, the Swatcats spurned a great chance to put the game to bed with a poor cross ending the move. Chakrit then went close with a fine low drive.

On 65 minutes Mario hit a far post shot that was smothered by the home keeper, Korat then defended as series of crosses with Bangkok looking increasingly dangerous.

The Swatcats then began to sit back - too deep in my opinion and allowed intense pressure from the title contenders. This was going to be a testing 20 plus minutes as the visitors swarmed forward hoping to keep their title hopes alive.

In the 76^th minute Lindemann conceded a foul just outside the box and from the resulting free kick, Boscovic struck the bar with an excellent dipping drive - game on!! Minutes later a Jaycee header was cleared off the line with the Swatcat’s defence looking slightly panicky.

Prompong, on as a substitute, had a great chance to put the Swatcats two up in the 84^th minute following a superb through ball from Chivuta, but Bangkok broke immediately and the inevitable happened as Jaycee cleverly back flicked the ball into the net to draw the Angels level.

A fantastic performance in which they matched the skill and endeavour of arguably the best team in the TPL. Great atmosphere at the 80^th Anniversary stadium with a decent crowd (14-15 thousand would be my guess) and I feel renewed hope and enthusiasm for the team.

One only wonders what the result would have been had the home team not decided to play so deep in the last 20 minutes – inviting as they did, the visitors to exert massive pressure. No team can hope to hold out a team containing danger men Jaycee, Boscovic and Mario Gjurovski for that amount of time. One only hopes that lessons have been learnt. There is no doubt in my mind that 3 points were thrown away by this tactical error. “Game management” should be on the agenda at the next team meeting!!!

Were it not for the team’s appalling start they would be fighting for 5^th or 6^th place given their recent form under Joksic. The form table based on the last 6 results puts us fifth – what a remarkable turnaround.

Dateline 14^th August 2016

 Chang Rai United 1 NRFC 2

 An in form NRFC took on the fancied Chang Rai tonight hoping to haul themselves further clear of the bottom three.

On a damp evening the visitors opened brightly with Tagbajumi, then Lindemann going close in the opening minutes. Chang Rai countered with a shot narrowly wide. The Swatcats were more than holding their own in the first 20 minutes, counter attacking effectively and keeping the home defence on its toes.

In the 21^st minute, Tagbajumi was incorrectly adjudged to be offside as he chipped the ball into the net. Literally seconds later, he was again on the wrong end of an incorrect offside decision as his drive was saved by the keeper.

At this point, 25 minutes into the match, Chang Rai’s attacks were looking ponderous and on balance, the visitors were on top with Lindemann and Tagbajumi looking dangerous. The Swatcat’s attacks were getting more frequent with a Lindemann drive being deflected wide and an Adiyiah flick going close.

Chang Rai went close in the 37^th minute with a 12 yard drive but this was an isolated real chance for the men in orange and black.

A very encouraging first half performance with the Swatcats producing most of the chances and dominating for long periods of play.

The second half kicked off with my thought that we have been in this situation a few times this season and have conceded second half goals – can we hold out?

Lindemann had a great chance to break the deadlock in the 50^th minute as he broke through the defence but he stumbled and was unable to get his shot in. Chang Rai were then unlucky in the 56^th minute when they had a flurry of shots with the final effort flying over the bar.

The home team was beginning to get a foothold in the game and they were now exerting a certain amount of pressure on the Swatcat’s defence.

In the 62^nd minute Tagbajumi was released superbly by a through ball and he stroked the ball neatly into the net to give the visitors a deserved lead.

The home team equalized with a scrappy goal following a free kick in the 70^th minute but seconds later, following the restart a long clearance found Tagbajumi who blasted the ball into the net to restore the lead.

In a period of frenetic action Lindemann went close as the visitors pressed, Chang Rai then struck the foot of the post as both teams battled for supremacy.

Tagbajumi was dismissed for a second yellow in the 75^th minute as the action became more intense.

With both sides tiring in the heavy conditions the game became a slugging match with neither side willing to concede – becoming a real test of character for both sides.

A Chang Rai header from a corner went just over, then a looping shot went wide as the home team searched for an equalizer in the closing minutes. The Swatcats were now playing deep and inviting the Chang Rai attack to press forward – a mistake in my opinion – one that I hope is not punished!!

The Swatcats held on for a vital and famous victory to hoist themselves well clear of the relegation zone.

The team is playing well and producing some good football. Tonight was a real test of character and a tremendous 3 points. With Chainat, Army and Navy all losing this weekend and our last 4 games all winnable against fellow strugglers I now feel confident that relegation will be averted.

Well done to the team and in particular coach Joksic!!!

Dateline 7^th August 2016

 NRFC 2 Navy FC 1

Navy provided the opposition at the 80^th Anniversary Stadium in this “6 pointer” relegation battle. The future of either team in the TPL could be decided by this vital fixture.

In early exchanges Navy looked bright on the break but with Lindemann probing, the home team had more of the play.

In the 7^th minute Tagbajumi struck the upright with a swiveling 15 yard shot as the home team pressed and minutes later after a superb run and cross from Lindeman, Adiyiah forced a fine save from the visitor’s keeper.

As the first half drew to a close Chanatphol went close with a curling shot from outside the box then seconds later the home team went close twice with the Navy defence in tatters with the keeper again doing well to keep out Lindemann’s drive.

In a final first half flurry Sawandee Pralong attempted a long range drive which went narrowly wide. At the other end Adiyiah was lucky to stay on the pitch after TV replays showed him striking a Navy player in the face. This incident could have been disastrous because had the official seen the offence, he would have been forced to award a penalty.

The Swatcats produced many chances in the first half with the midfield buzzing and producing some smooth and effective moves but the defence looked loose at times with Nagano missing, presumed injured. The home team’s approach play continued to impress but that final ball into the danger areas was proving hard to find as Navy packed their defence.

The second half began with the Swatcats again on the front foot with continuous pressure and in the 63^rd minute a superb Chanatphol free kick was well saved by the keeper.

In the 59^th minute a Navy defender wrestled Chanatphol to the ground and a penalty was awarded. Lindemann converted to give the Swatcats a deserved lead.

The Swatcat defence was coping well with occasional Navy breaks but in the 64th minute a snap shot from the visitors rattled the bar – a real wake up call for the home side. Navy now sniffing an unlikely point and now having to attack went close again in the 65^th minute.

The men in orange regained their composure and Adiyiah went close, then in the 80th minute a sweet move involving Adiyiah and Tagbajumi ended with a goal from Chakrit, driven high into the net from 10 yards.

Navy ensured a tense last few minutes when they scored in the 82^nd minute with a diving header but the Swatcats survived to earn themselves the three points despite losing Chalermpong after a red card for a hefty challenge on a breaking attacker.

Another very encouraging performance and a vital 3 points for the Swatcats – a special mention at this point for Pralong and Lindemann both of whose recent form has been outstanding.

 With this victory they have leapfrogged Army and Navy and now have Pattaya and Si Saket firmly in their sights. There is NO WAY that this team will be relegated given recent performances. Another encouraging sign is that the fans are drifting back – the attendance tonight looked to be around 8-9 thousand.

With some tough fixtures ahead but with confidence high the next month is going to be interesting. Chang Rai, Bangkok United, Suphanburi and Buriram fixtures loom. I can see no 3 pointers there but if the team can grab a couple of points, we should stay clear of the bottom 5.

This may be contentious I know but I would venture to say that the current performances are BETTER than in most of the games played last season. Our shape is generally better and we have made fuller use of players in the squad. Milos Joksic has got the players on his side and team spirit and confidence seem high. If (when) we survive this season, I think that we can be pretty optimistic about our chances next year – and maybe 20 000 plus attendances!!