Chonburi FC Thread

[SriRachaShark]

Nothing new to say. I just wanted to hit the three figure mark

[charade_2010]

Zico relishing Vietnam ‘return’

Chonburi coach Kiatisuk Senamuang spent four years in Vietnam with Hoang Anh Gia Lai. (Chonburi FC)
CHONBURI – Having defeated Eastern Athletic and Kedah to sit three points clear at the top of Group G Chonburi coach Kiatisuk Senamuang is now relishing taking the Shark to his former hunting ground of Vietnam.

Chonburi coach Kiatisuk Senamuang spent four years in Vietnam with Hoang Anh Gia Lai. (Chonburi FC)
Chonburi’s third AFC Cup match is against third-placed side Hanoi ACB and the April 7 game at the Hang Day Stadium represents something of a ‘home-coming’ for Kiatisuk, who spent four years of his career in Vietnam as a player and then coach of Hoang Anh Gia Lai.

“It was a great time in my life,” the ASEAN football legend told www.the-afc.com.

“The fans filled up the stadium every game and created a great football atmosphere but in terms of football quality I still think that Thai clubs perform better compared to Vietnam.”

Kiatisuk, more commonly known by his nickname Zico, became a hugely popular figure at Hoang Anh Gia Lai, with the 2003 V-League’s Foreign Player of the Year helping the Pleiku-based side to back-to-back Vietnam league titles.

And it is this experience of Vietnamese football that will be one of the main weapons in the Chonburi arsenal when they take on a Hanoi side looking to bounce back from Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to Eastern in Hong Kong.

“Our players’ ability plus Zico’s experience of playing and coaching in are the elements that will take Chonburi to victory,” striker Pipob On-Mo remarked.

One player who has shown his ability in the opening stanzas of this year’s AFC Cup is Mohamed Kone, the Cote d’Ivoire striker who has scored in both of Chonburi’s Group G matches.

The 25-year-old has also spent a season in Vietnam, playing for Hoang Anh Gia Lai in 2008 and is no stranger to continental club football.

Kone took part in the 2004 AFC Champions League when he was with Krung Thai Bank and ironically lined up against Kiatisuk when the Thai side came up against Hoang Anh Gia Lai in Group F.

Now the duo are colleagues, with Zico calling the shots from the sidelines and Kone making the shots on the pitch as Chonburi set their sights on becoming a genuine force in Asian Club football.

“We are good enough to be in the AFC Champions League…I have no doubt about that,” said a confident Kiatisuk, who is also undefeated in the 2009 Thailand Premier League, having led Chonburi to 1-0 victories over Osotspa M-150 and inaugural AFC Champions League runners-up BEC Tero Sasana.

Chonburi showed some real quality on the pitch and surprised a lot of people in last year’s ACL,” continued the 35-year-old.

“And we want to show this again by winning the Thai league and the AFC Cup and then to compete in next year’s Champions League.”
 

[SriRachaShark]

Derby Day today. I expect a win for the Sharks and a decent turnout from the locals. Hopefully, we'll get to see some goals. I'd settle for a 4-3 Chonburi victory

[SriRachaShark]

I was recently asked to contribute a regular column for the new Chonburi matchday magazine. My first article appeared in the programme for the match against BKK Glass. I submitted the second one today so, hopefully, it will be included in Saturday's mag.

I've reproduced the two pieces here. I hope that you enjoy reading them.

SRS

Chonburi FC 2002 – 2007

My first Pro League match was on May 5th, 2002. I saw Chonburi Code Red FC beat Nakorn Pathom Hunter FC 3-1 at the Chonburi Municipal Stadium. I remember it being an entertaining game but I was surprised that only about 100 people were there to see it. I went to another couple of matches that season: v.Satun Striker W3-0 and v. Suphanburi Sabre D1-1. I even managed to take a friend along to the Suphanburi fixture.

However, it wasn’t until the 2004 season that I started going regularly. Chonburi were now called The Sharks and played at Sirinthorn Stadium. I didn’t miss a single home game that year and we went on to finish 6th out of 10 in the league. The crowds were still very small but the football was good and it was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

The following season I was accompanied on my visits to Assumption College by my good friend, Ian. Even my wife, Nui, started taking an interest; she used to hate football! This was to be a very successful year as we won the Pro League title, snatching the prize in the very last match away against Korat. Even though we had been at the top of the league for a long time the home crowds were still disappointing. We were only getting about 250 people at each match.

Our final home game finished in an 8-1 victory against Pang Gar. This meant that we only had to beat Korat the following Sunday to be crowned champions.
On the day we won the league, there were 15 Chonburi fans in the stadium. Ian, Nui and me were joined by 12 others who had travelled up to the north east in a mini bus and a car. It was a great occasion and I’m proud to be able to say that, “I was there!”

The following year was our first in the Premier League and we returned to the Chonburi Municipal Stadium for our home games. We also reversed our kit. Previously our home kit was red and our away kit was blue but this year we introduced a blue home kit. With the arrival of top flight football the crowds rose to an average of about 1,500.

Away travel in those days was courtesy of one bus (not always full!) which used to leave from a Jet petrol station in Ban Beung. We made some good friends on these trips and most of these people are still coming to the matches today.

Chonburi performed OK during that first season, finishing 8th out of 12 teams, but our real success came away from the league in the Singapore Cup. Due to work commitments I was unable to get to any of the early rounds but I travelled out for the Semi Final Second Leg in late September. Chonburi won on penalties and booked a place in the final which was due to be played a few weeks later.

We were the first non Singaporean club to reach the final and the atmosphere in the stadium on that Sunday night in November was awesome. About 20 Chonburi fans had made the trip and we were joined by a few thousand Thai people who worked in Singapore and the pop star, Palmy. They  were all cheering for The Sharks.

Unfortunately we let a 2 goal lead slip in the last 10 minutes and ended up losing 3-2 after extra time. However, it is a trip, and a match, that I’ll never forget!

To be continued…………………..




We Are The Champions

The Story of the 2007 Season – Part 1

At the start of the 2007 season nobody could have predicted that Chonburi FC would be crowned as champions of Thailand. We had finished the previous season – our first in the top flight – in 8th place. A respectable position but with the league now expanding to 16 clubs the new year would surely see us end up comfortably  in mid table again.

The opening couple of matches didn’t really give us any clues either. An uninspiring first day victory at home to Suphanburi was followed by a 2-1 win at Narm Gai Jon Stadium (surely the hottest ground in the country!) against TOT. The latter we very nearly threw away by sloppy defending in the closing minutes only to grab an undeserved late winner ourselves.

The following week we were completely outplayed and outclassed by an impressive BEC Tero side who looked like they’d be challenging for the title at the end of the season. However, after this defeat we strung together an eight match unbeaten run picking up 17 points in the process. This run included the match that, as far as I’m concerned, changed the face of fan culture at Chonburi.

We were trailing 2-0 at home against Thai Honda when it started to rain. Everybody who had been sitting at the front of the stand had to move back to get under cover. It was impossible to sit when everyone was cramped together so we all had to stand. With the rain falling, a drop in temperature, the floodlights on and a large crowd of mainly men squashed together, I was transported back to my youth on the terraces at Oldham. I remember thinking at the time that this was just how it used to be in England but without the nastiness. The crowd too seemed to sense something was different and roared the Sharks on to a memorable 3-2 win. From that day on the atmosphere at Chonburi would be very special indeed.

The rain also played a major part in our next match. We had travelled in large numbers to Nakorn Pathom for a 4:00pm Wednesday afternoon kick off. The game kicked off in bright sunshine but midway through the second half, with Chonburi leading 1-0, the heavens opened. I have rarely seen rain like it. And I have never seen a football match played in such conditions. However, the full ninety minutes were played out and by the final whistle the pitch was completely under water. And, it was still raining!

We all huddled together in the away stand not daring to make a run for the bus. After about 30 minutes of non stop rain someone opened the door to the team’s dressing room and we scampered across. We spent the best part of an hour sheltering in there with all the players and the backroom staff. Eventually the rain eased enough for us to get back on the bus. The driver somehow managed to drive safely through the flooded streets of Nakorn Pathom and we were finally on our way home.

The unbeaten run was finally ended by a 0-1 home reverse against PEA. However, the following week a huge away following saw the Sharks play the best football we had played so far. A 3-0 thumping of Osotspa left us near the top of the table going in to the mid-season break. We could all enjoy the rest knowing that the best was yet to come and that a top four finish wasn’t beyond us.

To be continued………

[charade_2010]

Surat heads to Australia

A-League side Melbourne Victory have sent a letter of confirmation to his club Chonburi FC saying that they will sign Surat, Chonburi manager Annop Singtothong said yesterday.

Surat is scheduled to sign a two-year contract in Australia on July 1 subject to a medical. The A-League season starts in August.

Surat will receive 2.2 million baht in the first year and 2.5 million baht in the second year plus other incentives.

Chonburi, who have sold Brazilian Ney Fabiano to Melbourne Victory, will get 1.5 million baht for Surat's transfer fee.

"I am very happy that I will be the first Thai player to play in Australia's top football league," Surat said. "I hope this will be the first step for other Thai players to follow."

Chonburi coach Kiatisak Senamuang said he was glad for Surat and believes he is good enough for the A-League.

"I hope this will open the door for other Thai players," Kiatisak said. "We will certainly miss his services but we have other players to replace him."

[SriRachaShark]

Here's our second half of the season. A repeat of the first half. Good to see a holiday fixture on Mother's Day : )

And, a nice trip to Kanchanaburi for a 6:00pm Sunday game.  :

23/6    Chonburi  FC                -     PSMS Medan(Indonesia)         (Tue)

26/7    BEC Tero                     -     Chonburi FC                         (Sun)              16.00

2/8      Osotspa M150              -     Chonburi FC                         (Sun)              16.00

9/8      Chonburi FC                 -      Pattaya Utd.                       (Sun)              18.00

12/8     Bangkok Glass  FC        -      Chonburi FC                        (Wed)  วันแม่      17.30

16/8     TOT   FC                    -      Chonburi FC                         (Sun)              18.00

22/8     Chonburi FC                -       Sriracha FC                         (Sat)              18.00

29/8     Chonburi FC                -       PEA FC                              (Sat)               18.00

6/9       Bangkok Utd.              -      Chonburi FC                        (Sun)               18.00

12/9      Chonburi FC                -     Samutsongkram FC                (Sat)              18.00

15/9      AFC Cup Quarter Final  1st Leg                                     (Tue)

20/9     Chonburi FC                 -     TTM Samutsakhorn               (Sun)              18.00

26/9      Nakhonpathom  FC       -     Chonburi FC                         (Sat)              17.30

30/9      AFC Cup Quarter Final  2nd Leg                                     (Wed)

4/10      Muangthong Utd.         -      Chonburi FC                        (Sun)              17.00

7/10      Chonburi FC                -      Chula Utd.                         (Wed)              18.00

11/10     Navy Rayong              -     Chonburi FC                        (Sun)               16.30

15/10     AFC Cup Semi Final  1st Leg                                         (Thu)

18/10     Chonburi FC               -      Thai Port FC                       (Sun)               16.30

21/10     AFC Cup Semi Final  2nd Leg                                        (Wed)

3/11       AFC Cup  Final                                                          (Tue)

[druryfire]

I've heard some fans are calling for the coaches head already? I'm sure the constant travelling and the 2 game a week schedule has now taken it's toll.

Boy, it's tough being the Man United of the TPL.

[lokomotive]

I've heard some fans are calling for the coaches head already? I'm sure the constant travelling and the 2 game a week schedule has now taken it's toll.

Boy, it's tough being the Man United of the TPL.

For what? Is Chonburi in danger of relegation?

[druryfire]

Of course not Sven. It's what happens when your a decent team and find yourselves losing 2 in a row.

Just look at your Bayern Munich, sacked the coach even when they had a chance of winning, but it's because the fans don't want a chance of winning, they want to win.

[SriRachaShark]

Some notable landmarks on the horizon once the season restarts.

Our third game (v Franchise FC) will be our 100th Premier League match. We need 3 more wins for 50 TPL victories and 13 more goals for 150 in the top flight.

All three could conceivably be reached on 9th August ; )

[SriRachaShark]

Great stuff. Good luck, Surat. Let's hope that he proves to be a big hit in Australia.

On a completely different, Chonburi related, subject. I went and had a look at how the stadium re-building is coming on yesterday. Not much to report. There are lots of diggers and cranes about and the foundations have been laid for the changing rooms but there's not much else to see. The site foreman is still confident that it will be ready for the new season.

[SriRachaShark]

They're having their own ground built in the town. It should ready for next season.

[SriRachaShark]

I went to watch PTT yesterday. They play their home games at Chonburi Sports College - a former home of PEA and TPA - and, guess what? The stadium is being expanded.

I expect Srinthorn will just be used for Assumption college and student games.

[SriRachaShark]

I went to watch PTT yesterday.

Judging from the score and the timing of the goals it seems like it was cracking end to end game!

To be fair, it was a lot more comfortable than the scoreline suggests. I'll stick up a report when I have a bit of time later.

It was very entertaining though.

[SriRachaShark]

I went to watch PTT yesterday.

Judging from the score and the timing of the goals it seems like it was cracking end to end game!

To be fair, it was a lot more comfortable than the scoreline suggests. I'll stick up a report when I have a bit of time later.

It was very entertaining though.

A report, of sorts, now up on the Division One thread.

[charade_2010]

T-Rex rocks Chonburi

KHON KAEN – AFC Cup quarter-finalists Chonburi went down 3-2 to Thailand Division One side Khon Kaen FC on Wednesday in a friendly that head coach Kiatisuk Senamuang used test the strength in depth of his squad.

With the national team playing a friendly against Muang Thong United on the same night Chonburi were without seven of their key players but the Shark was the first to bite with Phanuwat Jinta opening the scoring with a fifth minute free-kick.

Rermrat Ngamchareon drew the T-Rex level in the 17th minute with a superb long range effort before the 31-year-old attacking midfielder put the semi-pro side from the North East 2-1 up with seven minutes of the first-half left to play.

Brazilian striker Joílson, who recently joined Chonburi after plying his trade in Iran with Zob Ahan and then Esteghlal, equalised on the stroke of half-time but an own goal four minutes after the interval from former Wales youth international Michael Byrne ensured the 3-2 win and notable scalp for Khon Kaen

[charade_2010]

Hello Marco ,
Thank you for showing us the news but your entry doesn't belong to " Chonburi FC Thread "   

[SriRachaShark]

Korat 0 Chonburi 4

Chonburi's tour of the north-east has more than just a touch of the Harlem Globetrotters about it. So much so, that I half expected them to run out to the strains of "Sweet Georgia Brown". However, it was the usual dirgelike anthem that heralded the two teams arrival for this rather strangely scheduled fixture. As comforting as it was to be attending a 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon kick off, I couldn't help reflecting on the fact that Chonburi were only the support act for a Division 2 (North Eastern Region) league match. How the mighty have fallen.

The game itself was nothing more than a glorified training workout. The home team was made up of triallists, schoolboys and possibly a couple of blokes who'd just been passing. And the visitors, shorn of their internationals, a mix of first tem regulars, fringe players and new signings. However, it was my first chance to see Michael Byrne in a Chonburi shirt so I was quite looking forward to that.

Needless to say, the match wasn't a classic but it gave the current TPL leaders a few opportunities to experiment. Zico started with a front two of Pipob and Byrne. They looked quite impressive together with the new man looking very busy and always finding space in which to receive the ball. In spite have already having played two other games in a short space of time, the Welshman showed good energy levels and a willingness to put himself about. He's going to be a great addition to an already strong squad.

In the second half, Byrne was dropped back to the right side of midfield and our, recently acquired striker, Da Silva entered the fray. It only took the big, old-fashioned centre forward (as I feel obliged to call him) a few seconds to get on the score sheet. Unfortunately I missed the goal as I was still downstairs re-fuelling and watching the locals clamour around the visiting Chonburi merchandise stall.

On returning to my seat I sat back to watch the shot count and substitute count grow to astronomical levels. In spite of this, the Chonburi players did seem to be taking things seriously and hoping to prove their worth having been given the chance in the absence of their more illustrious colleagues. Da Silva, in particular, was on a mission. He lambasted a team mate for a poor pass and later indulged in a frenzy of arm waving and gesticulating when a through ball was knocked too far in front of him. I guess it bodes well that he seemingly cares so much.

Overall it is difficult to see what Zico will have learned from this but it has probably generated a lot of goodwill and we've won a few more friends.

Finally, I'd just like to say what an impressive stadium Korat has. It's one of the best I've visited in Thailand - including both the big ones in Bangkok - and hopefully it won't be too long before it's hosting top level football.

A huge thanks to Vinnie and family for your hospitality over the weekend : )

 

[SriRachaShark]

It's a few kms from the city centre but it's well worth a visit. The whole complex is very impressive. I really hope that they can sustain their good form and get promoted this season. The city would certainly respond to a successful football team.

We were discussing the mid season break at the weekend and that very point was raised. After a while we concluded that the main reason was to give the national team a chance to get together. Next season it may be timed to avoid the rainy season and/or the Songkhran holidays.


There were about a dozen BKK based fans who made the trip. The wife and me were the only ones from Chonburi itself - apart from the merchandise people. We stayed for the main event. The rest left at half time.

Yes, I have conversed with "the Vanguard of Wales". Watch this space ; )

[SriRachaShark]

No, but I've got one ; )

[charade_2010]

Hello Marco ,
Thank you for showing us the news but your entry doesn't belong to " Chonburi FC Thread "

I didn't feel it necessary to start a new thread for this info. He is an ex Chonburi player so I thought their fans might be intersted to read the news, so the "Chonburi thread" seemed like the most obvious place to post it!!

Feel free to start a thread dedicated to Surat if you like!  : 

You should post it on " Asian Football Thread " . It will be more suitable there .

[SriRachaShark]

Here is the second part of the story of the 2007 season (see reply #103). Part Three can be seen over on www.thaileaguefootball.com

We Are The Champions

The Story of the 2007 Season  –  Part 2

When the season resumed at the end of August just 4 points separated the top 4 teams so it was important that we got off to a good start. Our first match after the break was an away trip to the Thai Army Stadium for a game against title rivals, Tobacco Monopoly. We were accompanied on our trip by a crew from ESPN/Star Sports who were filming our adventures for their “Football Crazy” show. The fans were in good voice on the way up and were full of confidence, refreshed and re-invigorated after the break. The team too seemed to have benefitted from the short lay off and tore into their opponents in a manner that suggested our first leg performance hadn’t been a fluke

With an emphatic 2-0 win under our belts we returned home in the knowledge that we were still second, behind Tero, only on goal difference and now had a four point cushion between ourselves and Krung Thai Bank, who had replaced the beaten Tobacco Monopoly in third. It was the perfect way to present Chonburi FC to a wider Asian audience.

Our next two matches were back to back encounters with mid table outfit, BKK University. There was a collective rubbing of hands in anticipation of the six points that we would be collecting. However, as with most things, it didn’t quite go according to plan. During a mad twenty minute period in the first half  of the away game we conceded three goals, and could have conceded more, as the hundreds of visiting fans looked on in astonishment. A goal early in the second half gave us renewed hope but the comeback didn’t materialise and we slunk back home to lick our wounds.

After another week off for internationals we had our chance to exact swift revenge against those upstart students. Ninety minutes later we were again wondering, “What went wrong?” A 0-1 reverse had severely dented our title hopes and we had slipped to third, two points behind a Krung Thai Bank team which was rapidly building up a headful of steam.
It didn’t get any better in the following weeks. A 2-2 draw away against Suphanburi and a dull 0-0 home draw with TOT weren’t exactly the kind of results that potential champions should be producing. But, fortunately for us, none of our rivals had been able to capitalise so after four games without a win we still trailed the leaders (KTB) by just two points.

Our next home match was a mid-week fixture against Nakorn Pathom. It was also my birthday. Now, I’m not suggesting for one minute that that evening’s performance was for my benefit but it certainly gave me a day to remember. The players had suddenly rediscovered their touch and the confidence came flooding back as we took apart the hapless visitors, who couldn’t have complained if we’d scored 10. In the event it was a fine 3-1 victory. In context of the whole season this was probably our most important result. Had we lost, who knows what may have happened but with a win under our belts we launched ourselves on a run of five straight victories.

There was then a slight blip, a 1-1 home draw with a stubborn Army team, but we were soon firing on all cylinders again; thrashing PEA 4-0 away, beating the Navy 1-0 in Sattahip, a 1-0 home win v Osotspa and a 2-0 triumph in Ratchaburi against the Police. This meant that going into the penultimate game of the season, at home against our nearest rivals KTB, a win or a draw would give us the championship.

to be continued.........

[druryfire]

PHNOM PENH – AFC Cup quarter-finalists Chonburi have scheduled two friendly matches with reigning Cambodian champions Phnom Penh Crown as Kiatisuk Senamuang’s side keep busy during the Thailand Premier League (TPL) mid-season break.

According to a report in the Phnom Post Chonburi, who lead the TPL standings at the half-way stage, will face the Cambodians on Friday and again on Sunday as the Shark sharpens its teeth ahead of the resumption of the domestic campaign and their AFC Cup last eight meeting with Vietnam’s Binh Duong in September.

http://www.the-afc.com/en/member-association-news/asean-news/24791-chonburi-set-for-crown-challenge

[SriRachaShark]

Part 3

It was to be a remarkable occasion. Once again ESPN/Star Sports had despatched a film crew to record the event for prosperity and they weren’t to be disappointed. Over 10,000 people, double our regular attendance, had somehow squeezed into the Chonburi Municipal Stadium and the atmosphere was (oh, go on) electric. The match certainly lived up to its billing. In spite of missing a penalty Chonburi had surged into a two goal lead by the break and were looking good to make history as the first provincial club to win Thai football’s biggest domestic honour. Our chances were further increased when the visitors were reduced to ten men. It was within our grasp now. Of course, it wasn’t to be that simple. Feeling that they had nothing to lose, KTB threw everybody forward in an effort to salvage something from the game and keep alive their own faint hopes of lifting the trophy.

This new bold attacking policy paid off, and soon not only were they level but they were looking the likelier side to go on and win it. With my nerves, and those of 10,000 other Chonburians, in tatters the coolest man in the ground, Pipob On-Mo took it upon himself to put us all out of our misery by firing home a late winner. The crowd erupted and the celebrations began in earnest with firecrackers and flares being let off in every part of the ground. The final whistle prompted a good natured pitch invasion and we had done it. A fitting end to what had been a wonderful season.

However, we still had one final home match to play. The following Tuesday we entertained Tobacco Monopoly in an event for which the phrase “anti-climax” could have been invented. In their infinite wisdom FAT had decreed that all final round matches should kick off on the same date and at the same time. On its own, a sensible piece of scheduling, however, when the date is Tuesday 27th November and the time is 4:00pm you begin to question the wisdom. I’m sure that if we’d wanted too we could have applied to change the time but in the event we duly went through the motions in front of about 5 or 600 people who were more interested in watching Sek Loso and his band set up behind one of the goals in preparation for that evenings concert.

 The match ended in a 2-1 defeat for the newly crowned champions therefore bringing an end to a 13 match unbeaten run. A rather low key end to an impressive campaign but it took me a couple of days to shake off the hangover I got as a result of the party.

Having followed the club since the very beginning I had a huge sense of pride for what we’d achieved. However, this wasn’t just Chonburi’s victory. It was to change the face of Thai football. Suddenly other provincial clubs were starting to sit up and take notice. “If Chonburi can do it, why can’t we?” The TPL was no longer the preserve of the company clubs and armed forces teams but now town teams from outside the greater Bangkok area could realistically compete and actually stand a chance of winning something. Chonburi had shown the way. Build up a local fan base, run the club properly and all this could be yours.

 What we have seen happen in the past few months is as a direct result of this small team from the provinces taking Thai football by the scruff of its neck and giving it a good shaking. What will happen in the future remains to be seen but this is currently a golden time for Thai football. I really hope that it is managed properly and we can have a league to rival those in Vietnam and Japan.

[SriRachaShark]

It was to be a remarkable occasion. Once again ESPN/Star Sports had despatched a film crew to record the event for prosperity and they weren’t to be disappointed. Over 10,000 people, double our regular attendance, had somehow squeezed into the Chonburi Municipal Stadium and the atmosphere was (oh, go on) electric. The match certainly lived up to its billing. In spite of missing a penalty Chonburi had surged into a two goal lead by the break and were looking good to make history as the first provincial club to win Thai football’s biggest domestic honour. Our chances were further increased when the visitors were reduced to ten men. It was within our grasp now. Of course, it wasn’t to be that simple. Feeling that they had nothing to lose, KTB threw everybody forward in an effort to salvage something from the game and keep alive their own faint hopes of lifting the trophy.

I've seen the highlights of this game on youtube. The stadium looks absolutely packed .

It was packed!! This was one of the best nights of my football supporting life (OK being an Oldham fan doesn't give it much to beat but still...) and a match I'll always remember.

It was almost on a par with this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2rfnLRb36k

I'm in both videos. See if you can spot me ; )

[SriRachaShark]

The "right back" for Sheff Wed is actually future Oldham legend, John Sheridan.

You can see me right at the end of the clip. When it replays the penalty from a different angle there are three people hanging from the wire mesh at the back of the stand. I'm the one in the middle : )

[SriRachaShark]

I heard a rumour yesterday (and again today) that the new stadium won't be ready for next season so we'll be playing our home games in 2010 at the Chonburi PE/Sports College.

[SriRachaShark]

I heard a rumour yesterday (and again today) that the new stadium won't be ready for next season so we'll be playing our home games in 2010 at the Chonburi PE/Sports College.

If the Stadium isn't going to be ready why don't they just stay where they are playing now?

Any news on the mystery star signing that was being talked about the other week? 

The Chonburi PE/Sports College is in Chonburi city so I guess that's one reason they want to move there instead of staying at Assumption. The capacity will be 11,000 when it's complete so that's probably another reason. And, hopefully, it will be more suitable for staging AFC CL or Cup games should we qualify.

My guess is that SriRacha will continue to use Srinthorn exclusively next season - their new stadium is a long way from being finished, but you never know.

I haven't heard any more about the signing but watch this space!

[lokomotive]

I heard a rumour yesterday (and again today) that the new stadium won't be ready for next season so we'll be playing our home games in 2010 at the Chonburi PE/Sports College.

If the Stadium isn't going to be ready why don't they just stay where they are playing now?

Any news on the mystery star signing that was being talked about the other week? 

The Chonburi PE/Sports College is in Chonburi city so I guess that's one reason they want to move there instead of staying at Assumption. The capacity will be 11,000 when it's complete so that's probably another reason. And, hopefully, it will be more suitable for staging AFC CL or Cup games should we qualify.

My guess is that SriRacha will continue to use Srinthorn exclusively next season - their new stadium is a long way from being finished, but you never know.

I haven't heard any more about the signing but watch this space!

SRS, at the AFC Website you cand find PDF's with the guidlines for Stadiums, which they need to have in order to be used for AFC Cup and AFC CL. I think if you take a look in it you might can find out which stadium would be suitable or not.

[SriRachaShark]

BEC Tero 1 Chonburi 2

Traditionally this has been the biggest game of the season for us. However, with Tero's star fading and other clubs overtaking them both on and off the field this was just another fixture. Although for the first time in three years we at least had the pleasure of visiting at the weekend.

The heavy rain that greeted us on our arrval in Nong Jork had made playing conditions very difficult but Chonburi started like a team that had something to prove. The ball was fizzed around quickly and accurately and the huge travelling support were able to forget the soaking they were getting as they settled back to enjoy the game.

At half time the visitors were two goals to the good - two set pieces - but really should have had four or five. Kone being guilty of the biggest miss when he headed wide from six yards out.

The second half was a complete reversal of the first. Tero had obviously had a bit of a talking to during the break and tore into Chonburi from the first whistle. Using the flanks to great effect and getting numbers forward they were causing the visitors defence all sorts of problems; the introduction of Bamba on the right wing had the biggest impact. Kosin made a few good saves (his handling has improved during the past few weeks) and the Tero forwards rattled the, correctly proportioned, woodwork more times than I found comfortable.

Therefore, it came as no surprise when they pulled a goal back. I felt at this time that if they'd scored again they would have been favourites to win. Thankfully some brave defending and good fortune saw us home.

The celebrations at the final whistle were slightly muted as we all knew that we had got away with a fortunate three points. But do I care? Thanks to other results (the announcement of the BKK Glass result on the bus received the loudest cheer of the day) we now have a clear lead at the top. And with Muang Thong also losing and Osotspa dropping a point it was a good day for us.

A few other points of interest. Michael Byrne came on midway through the second half. He showed a few good touches - a lovely through ball to set up Kone was a joy - and put himself about a bit. His experiences on the non League grounds of England was also an advantage as he kept his nerve to run the clock down during the final few nervy minutes.

No "Ref Watch" and "Stretcher Count" this week but I feel I do have to comment on the man in the middle. He was awful!! He gave free kicks for non-existent fouls, let pretty bad tackles go and yellow carded players for innocuous challenges. He had a shocker and made no allowances whatsoever for the conditions.

Finally, on to Tero themselves. I've posted on another thread that they'll have to do some serious thinking if they're not to get left behind. Their home support doesn't seem to have grown and their ground falls far short of some of the other stadiums that are currently being used or being built.

On the playing front, there were certainly signs that Tawan can turn things round and lead them to a top four finish. Whether they can still attract the big names remains to be seen.

[SriRachaShark]

Here's a photo of the Chonburi Fan Club football team taken at at Pro League Fan Club meeting at Rajamangala in August 2006.

[SriRachaShark]

Singapore Cup semi final 2nd leg. September, 2006.

[SriRachaShark]

Singapore Cup Final. November, 2006.

[SriRachaShark]

Singapore Cup semi final 2nd leg. September, 2006.

[druryfire]

Chonburi play their 100th TPL fixture next time out. They are also 1 away from the half century mark for wins.

You got any wild plans for this milestone SRS?

[SriRachaShark]

Chonburi play their 100th TPL fixture next time out. They are also 1 away from the half century mark for wins.

You got any wild plans for this milestone SRS?

Yes. I've written a very entertaining piece for the matchday magazine ; ) I'll post it on here after Sunday's match.

See reply #109 on this thread.

[SriRachaShark]

Osoyspa 1 Chonburi 2

Fifteen minutes from time I turned to the bloke standing next to me and said, "I'd settle for a point, now." But it could all have been so different. As with last week's match we had played some wonderful stuff in the first half and should have been able to declare. However, some poor finishing meant we went into the break level at 0-0.

Early in the second period we were awarded a free kick in what the Thai press must surely be calling Arthit Territory. Up stepped the man in the blue boots and fired his shot straight into the wall. But, by a quirk of fate, the ball cannoned off a defender and flew into the net drawing gasps rather than cheers from the away fans.

It was just the stroke of luck we needed. Unfortunately, it served as more of a spark for the home team to spring into life than to inspire us. The intelligent Mensah was having a field day down the right hand side and was carving open the Chonburi defence at will. Therefore it came as no real surprise when he skipped past a host of static defenders and squeezed the ball home at Kosin's near post.

This was the cue for the visitors to respond. Only we didn't. Osotspa sensed victory and only some poor shooting and reluctance to shoot kept the scores level. With time ticking away and me looking up the name of a good dry cleaners, Kone received the ball on the edge of the home penalty area during a rare attack. He held off a couple of challenges, kept his balance and his nerve and slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Scenes of mass delirium followed, during which a corner flag was broken, causing a slight delay while a substitute was found.

The closing seconds were played out with a reprise of Michael Byrne's party piece - a trip to the corner for a game of keep ball; he's only played about 20 minutes for us so far and ten of these minutes must have been spent within five yards of the corner flag!

When the final whistle sounded, the 2,000+ visiting fans could celebrate. We're still top. Still 3 points clear. And still winning whilst playing below par. I love this club.

As a post script, next week will be our 100th TPL game. Our first ever away game in this division was against Osotspa at Rattanabundit University (an entertaining 3-3 draw, since you ask). I travelled to that match on the team bus with about 10 other fans. We were joined at the stadium by about 20 more. Yesterday we took over 2,000. Heady days indeed!

[SriRachaShark]

Does anyone know anything about Jean Marc Benie? An internet search throws up very little.

[SriRachaShark]

Thanks, Marco. I actually managed to find a video of him in action but it wouldn't play. Hope that's not an omen!

[jakartacasual]

i know of a couple of coaches who are very reluctant to use african players because of doubts over their real ages

real problems could arise if immigration authorities find they have been lied to and of course FAs are none to keen either

sad but true

[Critic]

i cannot wait until Chonburi wins the league champions. I seriously despise Muangthong United. Oh so political!

[SriRachaShark]

i cannot wait until Chonburi wins the league champions. I seriously despise Muangthong United. Oh so political!

As a Chonburi fan, I agree with your first point but I must take issue with your second. I really admire MTUFC. They have built up steadily and are now reaping the rewards of doing things properly. OK, so they have vast amounts of money behind them but they do appear to be taking things one step at a time and a lot of what they are doing is very admirable, both on and off the field.

I really hope that we stuff them in the return match but I'd like to see them finish second. There are a lot worse teams in the TPL ; )

[charade_2010]

Leesaw came back and plays for Muang Thong United . Any chance for Chonburi in the second leg ? 

[SriRachaShark]

I still fancy us to be top at the end of the season. The next few days should give us an idea of how seriously we need to consider BKK Gl*ss as challengers. I'm really hoping that SriRacha can get at least a point tomorrow.

Then if we can win on Sunday we'll have a nice gap ahead of Wednesdays game. I fully expect MTUFC to win their next two matches, which will put them in second.

[SriRachaShark]

Here is an edited version of the article I submitted for inclusion for todays matchday programme.

100 Not Out!
 
Today's match against Pattaya United will be our 100th in the Thai Premier League - if we win it will be our 50th victory at this level. Here I look back at five other notable games from our recent history.
 
1. Korat 1 Chonburi 3
Thailand Pro League 26th June, 2005
 
Having already sealed promotion by thrashing Pang Ga 8-1 at Srinthorn the week before, we journeyed to the north east knowing that a win would see us crowned Pro League champions. Having taken the lead midway through the first half, Chonburi were pegged back 4 minutes later when the home side equalised. However, Nikorn Anuwarn eased  a few jangling nerves right on the stroke of half time by restoring our one goal advantage.
 
As the second half progressed the travelling army of 15 were becoming more and more anxious, as the orange shirted home team poured forward in search of the goal that would deny us the title. Fortunately, a strike by Panawut Janta seven minutes from time eased our fears and we could start celebrating our first major trophy win and look forward to life among Thailand's elite.
 
2. Chonburi 1 Thai Port Authority 3
Thailand Premier League 28th January, 2006
 
After a wait of seven months we finally got to taste life in the newly structured Thailand Premier League. And how sweet it was. Five minutes into the brand new season, Piopob On-mo had put us in front. We were going to walk this league. Unfortunately two hours later, life wasn't so good. We had been beaten 3-1 by a much better team and learned a few harsh lessons about how tough life was going to be among the big boys.
 
TPL Record P1 W0 D0 L1 F1 A3 Pts 0
 
3. Tampines Rovers 3 Chonburi 2 (aet)
Singapore Cup Final 26th November, 2006
 
We were the first overseas club to reach the final of the Singapore Cup. And we twice came within a few seconds of being the first to win it. Goals on 74 minutes by Pipob On-Mo and 76 minutes by Arthit Sunthornphit had sent the 20 visiting fans, plus a few thousand ex-pat Thais into raptures. 2-0 up and looking comfortable. What could possibly go wrong? Whether it was inexperience, nerves or sheer exhaustion Chonburi seemed to stop playing in the last quarter of an hour and this allowed Tampines back into the game. A strike by Aliff Shfaein on 84 minutes was followed by a Santi Chaiyaphuak goal in the dying seconds and the game went into extra time.
 
Reduced to nine men after the sendings off of Kafoumba and Adul Lahso, we hung on until deep into injury time only to concede a heart-breaking third goal when penalties seemed the likliest outcome. It was a bitter pill to swallow but even this cruellest of defeats can't take away the fact that it had been a memorable weekend. I'll tell you all about Palmy's half time concert and the second half being delayed by 15 minutes due to goalkeeper, Badra Ali's, visit to the toilet another time!
 


4. Chonburi 3 Thai Honda 2
Thailand Premier League 5th May, 2007
 
A reasonable start to the season saw Chonburi sitting in 3rd place after 7 games when mid table Thai Honda came to visit. The decent run had seen crowds grow to about the 1,000 mark but the atmosphere at the Chonburi Municipal Stadium was still more like an English county cricket match than top flight football. But that was all to change thanks to a stunning comeback and a downpour.
 
We were 2-0 down and staring defeat in the face when it started to rain. Everyone in the main stand moved to the back of the terraces to seek shelter. Suddenly, the atmosphere changed. All being crushed together created a sense of solidarity. The chanting and singing started and, on the field, the players responded. From what had seemed a hopeless situation we were now level and looking for the winner. Roared on by the fans, the team launched wave after wave of attack. When the third goal came it was greeted as if we'd just won the World Cup. A great match and terrace culture had arrived in Chonburi. It took the rest of the country a while to catch up.
 
5. Chonburi 3 Krung Thai Bank 2
Thailand Premier League 21st November, 2007
 
This was to be a remarkable occasion and will live long in the memory of those lucky enough to have been there to witness it. ESPN/Star Sports along with all the Thai news and sports channels had despatched  film crews to record the event for prosperity. They weren’t to be disappointed. Over 10,000 people, double our regular attendance, had somehow squeezed into the Chonburi Municipal Stadium and the atmosphere was (oh, go on) electric. The match certainly lived up to its billing. In spite of missing an early penalty Chonburi had surged into a two goal lead by the break and were looking good to make history as the first provincial club to win Thai football’s biggest domestic honour. Our chances were further increased when the visitors were reduced to ten men. It was within our grasp now. Of course, it wasn’t to be that simple. Feeling that they had nothing to lose, KTB threw everybody forward in an effort to salvage something from the game and keep alive their own faint hopes of lifting the trophy.
 
This new bold attacking policy paid off, and soon not only were they level but they were looking the likelier side to go on and win it. With my nerves, and those of 10,000 other Chonburians, in tatters the coolest man in the ground, Pipob On-Mo took it upon himself to put us all out of our misery by firing home a late winner. The crowd erupted and the celebrations began in earnest with firecrackers and flares being let off in every part of the ground. The final whistle prompted a good natured pitch invasion and we had done it. CHAMPIONS!!! A fitting end to what had been a wonderful season.
 
So, there you have it, five great games from our past. Let's hope that we have many more in the future. And, who knows, when our 112th TPL match is played, we may be celebrating another trophy.
 

 

[SriRachaShark]

Chonburi 2 Bang Phra 0

We won at a canter. Full report to follow. : )

[alldo]

Was at the game chon buri far the better side looked like top against bottom  brnye looked good when he came on kone looks  a handfull keeper looks safe, pattaya had no cutting edge good crowd  back into trouble  for pattaya  thankgod theye dont play chonburi everey week

[charade_2010]

Was at the game chon buri far the better side looked like top against bottom  brnye looked good when he came on kone looks  a handfull keeper looks safe, pattaya had no cutting edge good crowd  back into trouble  for pattaya  thankgod theye dont play chonburi everey week

Did you use Google Translate ?      

[SriRachaShark]

Chonburi 2 P*ttaya Utd 0

A comfortable win for the home side. From the moment Arthit put us in front in the first minute the result never looked in doubt. It was easy to see why P*ttaya have scored so few goals (9 in 18) this season as their shooting was woeful. But on the odd occasion they managed to get an effort on target, the newly confident and commanding, Kosin was able to deal with it quite comfortably.

I'm not going to go into too much detail because, in all honesty, it was a scrappy stop/start game thanks largely to the man in the middle. He was handing out cards like an over eager insurance salesman and by the end of the match probably had a list of names long enough to rival the recent Red Shirt petition.

I'm still not convinced by Zico's tactics when we go in front - he threw on Michael Byrne yet again with twenty minutes to go to play in a five man midfield with one up front. P*ttaya were there for the taking and I'd like to have seen us show a little more attacking ambition.

Kone's goal 15 minutes from time (another well worked move and cool finish) sealed the points and brought his personal tally to 11, 2 more than the opposition have managed between them. However, Byrne had two golden chances to further rub salt into the wounds but somehow contrived to miss both when 'Arry's missus would no doubt have tucked them away.

All in all a satisfying result and it sets us up nicely for the trip to the Rabbit Hutch on Wednesday.

[SriRachaShark]

There is a new English language Chonburi FC website here :

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/

It's very much a work in progress but I aim to get on top of over the next few days.

Vinnie must be feeling extremely flattered just now ; )