Dateline 5^th August 2017 – Match day 25.

 FT Ratchaburi FC 4 NRFC 0

The Swatcats took on the Dragons from Ratchaburi with the visitors hoping to build on last week’s impressive performance against Si Saket. In the opening minutes with both sides striving for that vital early goal, the visitor’s keeper saved well from a low drive and Adiyiah spurned a golden chance when he shot over from 10 yards.

In the 15^th minute an unmarked Essombe flicked in to open the scoring and seconds later, in a blow for the men from Korat, Adiyiah went off injured to be replaced by Kitsada. The Swatcats now pressed forward but Ratchaburi’s well drilled defence was coping well with any threats and the Dragons continued to look dangerous on the break.

In the 32^nd minute, Ratchaburi were awarded a penalty for handball but Essombe carelessly blasted the spot kick over the bar and minutes later following a Chakrit cross from the flank and a flick on from Rangel, Naruphol found himself clear 6 yards out. He blasted his effort goal wards but somehow the home keeper managed to smother the shot and save a certain equalizer.

 In a half of few chances Ratchaburi had the edge and the Swatcats were still in the match but without the injured Adiyiah one wondered where any goals would come from with Rangel playing alone up front.

In the 58^th minute Ratchaburi went 2 up with a simple header from Montree Promsawad and with very little evidence of the visitors as an attacking force, it seemed like game over with 30 minutes remaining.

In the 66^th minute Ratchaburi put the game to bed when Montree tapped in after a fine passing move and with all confidence draining from the visitors, the home team completed the scoring in the 86^th minute with a fine solo effort from Chutipon Tongtae.

The Swatcats countered with a Pina free kick going narrowly over and Chanatphon shooting wide after a fine move but by then the game was well and truly over.

A pretty uninspiring performance today - conceding 4 and in truth only producing 2 chances all match. This was probably one of the team’s most disappointing performances of the season. The loss of Adiyiah was a blow but there was little penetration up front and the ease in which the Ratchaburi forwards carved open the Swatcats defence was worrying. The 4-0 scoreline was a tad flattering but on balance the Swatcats were well beaten by a superior side.

Match Day 25 Stats

Dateline 30^th July 2017 – Match day 24.

 FT NRFC 3 Si Saket 0

The Swatcats welcomed fellow Isaan strugglers Si Saket this weekend. An important encounter for both teams, both eager to lever themselves clear of relegation woes.

Tonight’s attendance was 7041 - despite a “two for one” ticket promotion.

The game commenced in sensational style when in the opening seconds, Rangel rose to nod a downward header goal wards. The header was well saved by the Kouprey’s keeper. Minutes later after a fine passing move, Rangel beat the keeper with a stunning lob which rattled the crossbar – the home team was on fire!!

On 10 minutes free kick specialist Pina shot from 25 yards, the keeper and the upright both contributed to his shot spinning narrowly wide. As the men from Korat continued to dominate, Dominic Adiyiah cut inside and drew another amazing save from the visitor’s keeper. In this tremendous run of attacking prowess, Adiyiah then struck the bar from 8 yards with the goal at his mercy - he really should have done better.

In the 21^st minute the inevitable happened as Adiyiah slid the ball in from 8 yards to open the scoring.

At half time and in a half completely dominated by the home side, one was left wondering if the men from Korat would rue the chances missed with the score at a precarious 1-0. The Koupreys had been limited to a single headed effort and looked in disarray.

The second half began with the fans looking forward to further domination and more goals, but to everyone’s amazement, the visitors began to dominate possession and looked likely to equalize. The men from Korat looked fatigued and they had lost their momentum. Luckily for the home fans, the Koupreys were unable to convert their possession into real chances and in the 55^th minute an Adiyiah break was smartly put away by the inform Rangel - relief all round!!

The visitors now seemingly on their knees faded as their confidence drained away and the men in orange again began to dominate. Kritsada completed the scoring with another delicious lob that completely bamboozled the keeper. Pressing forward for a fourth goal Adiyiah was unlucky when an audacious back heel was scrambled off the line.

In the dying embers of the game, Si Saket managed two golden chances to open their account but the home keeper kept them at bay.

A pretty buoyant performance from the Swatcats tonight. The game could have finished 6-0. The home team produced a plethora of chances against a very mediocre Si Saket outfit. With ten games to go, the Swatcat’s premier league status seems safe and despite my early season apprehensions, my gut feeling has always been that the team would be safe.

Paulo Rangel has been “the find of the season” - why the management did not identify our striker problem earlier in the season mystifies me. Had he been brought in earlier, some of our disappointing early season home draws could have been converted and top ten status could have been cemented.

Let’s hope for a strong finish to the season - the team has a couple of home “bankers” to come and with growing confidence top ten could still become a reality.

A couple of interesting points. The match saw the return of Bjorn Lindemann. He was given a generous round of applause when he was substituted off. Also in the Si Saket side was former star of the English leagues Leroy Lita - always a pacey and dangerous striker.

Their loss led to the sacking of the Si Saket head coach - he was their third coach appointed this season. Things look bad for fellow strugglers Si Saket - I will be sorry if the league loses a team from the Isaan region.

Match Day 24 Stats 

Dateline 8th July 2017 – Match day 23.

 FT Superpower Samut Prakan 0 NRFC 5

The Swatcats took on struggling Superpower hoping to come away with 3 points to help in their fight against possible relegation.

Amazingly Superpower seem to have dropped all of their foreign import players. The visitors opened confidently and after two minutes, Paulo Rangel poked home after a goalmouth scramble to give the Swatcats the lead. Four minutes later Adiyiah stroked home from 8 yards to make it 2-0.

Superpower countered gamely and they went close with an angled shot that flew across the goalmouth. The Swatcats continued to probe and Rangel was unlucky when he was upended in the box just as he was about to finish. It was considered a fair challenge and no penalty was awarded.

The Swatcats now seemed content to soak up any pressure that Superpower produced but in truth the hosts seemed unable to create much in the final third. The sky blue clad Swatcats launched sporadic raids and then in a crazy 3 minutes, Akekanat hit a pile driver that was well saved by the keeper. From the resulting corner Rangel clattered the bar with a header then, on the rebound, Akekanat again rattled the bar with a strong angled drive.

In the 41^st minute, after a fine solo run, Rangel banged in a third to effectively put the game to bed, and with Superpower losing confidence, there could be more to come.

The second half began with the visitors aiming to improve their goal difference and within a minute of the break Rangel headed in from the far post to complete his second hat trick for the club. With the match becoming a stroll for the visitors and the hosts struggling to create chances, the visitors seemed to take their foot off the gas. Despite this, chances for the visitors kept coming and in the 63^rd minute Adiyiah was inches wide with a superb shot and then Superpower cleared a shot off their line to keep the score at 4-0.

Rangel then had a great chance when he dribbled into the 6 yard area but his effort was well blocked. Superpower continued to huff and puff but were unable to pierce the Swatcat’s resolute defence, a 72^nd minute drive being their only chance of any consequence.

Minutes later the Swatcat’s keeper Weera  Koedpudsa was brought into action when he pulled off two excellent saves as Superpower made a late effort to score a consolation goal.

Naruphol completed the rout in the 90^th minute when he bravely forced the ball over the line for the fifth.

Well, job done against a shell shocked Superpower team - they looked very poor! A vital  3 points and a workmanlike performance from the Swatcats - with a couple of other results going their way, they can go into the international break with a little breathing space in the battle near the bottom. Three more points against Si Saket after the break will surely give the team some breathing space within the bottom six.

A couple of other points of interest; First, the Superpower fans have been - and were tonight, superb despite their team’s present malaise - well done to them, they chanted enthusiastically throughout the match. Second well done to Paulo Rangel, his goals are certainly giving the team a lift.

Match day 23 Stats

Dateline 5^th July 2017 – Match day 22.

 FT NRFC 0 Muang Thong United 1

The stumbling Kirins were the guests at the 80^th Anniversary Stadium in this mid week encounter. The Swatcats surely hoping that they would not be the victims of retribution after a weak run of results by the once mighty Muang Thong.

On a pitch that looked more like a ploughed field and in front of 8429 spectators, the visitors started brightly. In a hectic start the Kirins flooded forward with a chance cleared off the line followed by an acrobatic overhead kick from Heberty that struck the bar.

The hosts countered with a fine 25 yard drive from Pina that was well saved by keeper Kawin. Minutes later Rangel chested down a cross for Adiyiah who failed to test the keeper with his shot.

In a match already littered with chances Heberty drew a fine save from the home keeper with a well struck free kick from 22 yards. The hosts now exerted a period of pressure but were unable to make the final ball count as the Kirins defended effectively.

In the 36^th minute Adiyiah seized upon a defensive mistake and shot inches wide from 20 yards and right on half time Rangel broke clear and shot from 18 yards with Kawin forced to push the effort wide. With the hosts having the majority of play, Muang Thong could consider themselves lucky to go into half time on level terms.

The second half began with both sides sparring on an ever worsening pitch with the conditions precluding any real chance of attractive passing football and one sensed that a defensive error might decide the game.

As the half progressed Muang Thong began to exert pressure and with very little going forward from the hosts, wave after wave of attacking moves from the visitors were forthcoming - could the Swatcat defence hold on?

In a rare foray forward Kritsada had a goal bound shot blocked in the 75^th minute and in the 80^th minute after good work; Adiyiah saw his shot deflected wide, but relentless pressure from the KIrins must eventually be rewarded with a winner.

In the 90^th minute Assumpcao headed in to give Muang Thong the lead and the hosts were unable to respond

With teams around and below them picking up points, the Swatcats face a struggle to keep their heads above water in the relegation stakes. Although I still think that the team is too good to go down, results seem to be conspiring against them and unless they string together a decent run, they are going to find themselves in trouble and at risk of the drop come the end of the season.

Match Day 22 Stats

Dateline 1^st July 2017 – Match day 21.

 FT NRFC 0 Buriram United 2

The Swatcats welcomed the Championship favourites Buriram United this weekend.

In front of 10 082 fans and on a sodden pitch Buriram opened brightly. They fired an early warning shot when Coelho outwitted Igbonefo but his shot went narrowly wide. Minutes later an amazing 35 yard dipping drive from Rafael Bastos beat the keeper to give Buriram the lead - I did think that if the keeper had been on his line he could have made a straightforward save.

In the 14^th minute Adiyiah went close with a flick but then the heavens opened and lightening lit up the skies overhead and as the advertising hoardings began to fly, the referee took the players off the pitch.

The players returned after 45 minutes to be confronted by a quagmire with both sides content to “give it some wellie” with the idea of trying to pass the ball rendered impossible. The visitors continued to look dangerous going forward but any attempts at the other end were thwarted by some good defending.

Coelho went close again on 37 minutes but as a contest the game became a farce but in the 55^th minute there was a clear handball inside the box after a Rangel flick but no penalty was awarded - a lucky break for Buriram.

In the 64^th minute Buriram went 2 up when Jakkaphan slid the ball under an advancing keeper and with both sides struggling with the conditions, there was no real response from the home side.

The match was effectively over as a contest of football after the rain storm but Buriram mastered the conditions more effectively and really gave little chance for the Swatcats to get back into the game. A disappointing night for the hosts. They created maybe 1 or 2 half chances all game and Buriram looked like they would score every time they broke forward. The Swatcats now have a real challenge on their hands to avoid the drop - our only hope is that there are 3 more inferior teams below us !!

Match Day 21 stats

Dateline 28^th June 2017 – Match day 20.

 FT Pattaya United 3 NRFC 1

The Swatcats visited the home of fellow relegation candidates Pattaya United.

Early in the match, Pattaya looked a far more polished side than the visitors. They passed the ball through midfield well and looked dangerous up front. For the visitor’s part, the ball was given away cheaply allowing the home team to attack in waves.

The first real chance of the game came in the 10^th minute when Pina hit a 25 yard free kick that drew the best from the Dolphin’s keeper. The home team countered immediately with a 25 yard drive spectacularly saved by Koedpudchar.

In the 14^th minute a second “supersave” from keeper Koedpudchar prevented the Dolphins from going ahead. The Dolphins were now pressing and another miracle save from the visitor’s keeper again kept the scores level.

In the 29^th minute the inevitable happened when Stojanovic blasted home to give Pattaya a deserved lead. Minutes later Adiyiah went clear but his week shot was pushed wide - a good chance missed! From the resulting corner Rangel was adjudged to have been brought down in the box and a penalty was awarded - a harsh decision in my opinion. Replays revealed a blatant dive. Rangel himself converted the spot kick.

The Swatcats ended the half, somewhat fortuitously on level terms at 1-1.

The second half saw the home team still in the ascendancy and in the 58^th minute a fine drive from Santitorn put the hosts ahead. The Swatcats were offering very little up front, with Rangel’s low drive being the only chance of the half.

With Pattaya continuing to dominate they added a third when Wongsakorn added a third in time added on.

After the euphoria of last week a “down to earth” feeling for the Swatcats. They were thoroughly outplayed by Patttaya and in fact could have conceded 5 or 6 goals.

Not a disaster but it does put the team 1 point above fourth from bottom -  a precarious position to be in and with games against Buriram and Muang Thong to come, things could get much worse.

On the bright side, another goal from Rangel but that apart not too much to celebrate.

Match day 20 stats

Dateline 24^th June 2017 – Match day 19.

 FT NRFC 5 Chonburi Sharks 2

The Swatcats welcomed the high flying Chonburi Sharks to the 80^th Anniversary Stadium with the hosts desperate for points to help them pull away from possible relegation woes.

In front of 5163 fans, Chonburi opened brightly with the Swatcats seemingly unable to “get into gear” and unsurprisingly after some shambolic defending from the hosts the Sharks raced into the lead when Prince Amponsah slotted home in the 6^th minute.

My early thoughts were “oh heck we’re in for a good beating tonight” - how wrong could I be!!

The hosts tried to settle but too many passes were going astray. Early on, the Sharks looked the stronger team and with the absence of suspended skipper Chalermpong, the Swatcat’s defence looked vulnerable.

In the 29^th minute a well taken free kick from Pina evaded the keeper and Victor Igbonefo tapped in to equalize. The goal seemed to bring the home side to life and minutes later a sharp counter attack led to a shot on target from Chakrit. Sensing blood, the hosts pushed forward and Chanatphon’s excellent angled shot was well saved by the keeper.

The Swatcats went 2-1 up in the 45^th minute when Adiyiah slotted home after he was put clear by a superb through ball from Pina.

The second half began with an excellent end to end passing move culminating in an angled shot from Chanatphon cannoning off the foot of the post. With the hosts finally moving into top gear, the Sharks looked weary and lacking in confidence.

In the 51^st minute, a though ball drew the Sharks keeper out of his area to challenge and Chakrit lobbed the ball wide with an empty net beckoning.

The Sharks managed a rare chance on 54 minutes but Igbonefo scrambled the ball clear. Almost immediately Adiyiah played in Rangel who turned into the box and shot home from 8 yards - a sharp piece of forward play from the Brazilian to put the hosts 3-1 up.

In the 72nd minute Dominic Adiyiah put the game to bed when he finished off a fine solo run with a 20 yard drive that curved deliciously into the far corner of the net. The demolition was completed on 78 minutes when Chakrit latched onto a cross from Rangel and netted from 10 yards.

In the dying embers of the encounter Renan Marques added a consolation goal when he tapped in after a decent move

Football is a “funny old game” as ‘Arry Redknapp once said. This was by no means the best Swatcat performance at home this season and yet they bang in 5 goals - and it should have been 7. It is easy to say that the Sharks, in all honesty, did not put up much of a fight but the host’s finishing was clinical and of course Paulo Rangel does give us more firepower up front.

So, let’s enjoy the moment - my mind is made up, this team will not be relegated and at the moment the signing of Rangel seems to be a masterstroke - why it took so long for the coaching staff to see the problem is something to be discussed.

However, my caution now kicks in - one swallow does not make a summer and there were problems tonight. If I may nit-pick, some of the passing tonight was inept - especially early on and we gave the ball away needlessly on many occasions.

We will not be playing teams like Chonburi every week and our next two home games are against Muang Thong and Buriram. It is vital that we get something on Wednesday against struggling Pattaya United.

Match day 19 stats