Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Muang Thong United v Chonburi 1-1
It started with a bang, got mired in controversy and then just kind of fizzled out amid a flurry of cards and whistles as the referee imposed himself more and more.
In many respects this game was more than just a title decider. It was a barometer of just how far the Thai Premier League has progressed over this season.
Both on and off the field, Muang Thong United, newly promoted (in both meanings of the word) and Chonburi have come to represent a newly emerging elite in Thai football. They have profile, support and one of them will be crowned TPL Champions by October 18th.
The away end was packed two hours before kick off. One side terrace and one open temporary stand were filled by singing and dancing Chonburi fans while the Muang Thong lot seemed happier to sit or stand quietly under brollies for it were bloody hot there I tell thee, bloody hot.
United’s ambition is plain to see. Their supporter base has grown in leaps and bounds over this season thanks to savvy marketing, the backing of a media group and success on the pitch.
One new stand has been added complete with executive boxes while temporary stands have been added behind both goals as the club has struggled to accommodate the surge in interest.
A well stocked club shop yesterday had people queuing to get in while just opposite a temporary stall was set up yesterday.
The club also produce by far the slickest match day programme I’ve seen in the region while yesterday even Chonburi got in on the act by producing an ‘away’ programme. All in Thai of course, have I mentioned before about Thais marketing nous?
I was watching the game with Dale, a long time fan of Chonburi and Thai football, and we discussed this surge in interest. Yes, the marketing is good. Yes the media coverage is good. But also it’s fun. The fans are yelling and dancing almost non stop, blowing whistles, banging drums, waving their arms in the air.
There ain’t no mai pen rai when you see your centre forward have his legs scythed away from the rest of his body when charging down on the goal mouth. Jai yen yen means jack shit when the ref rejects a blatant penalty. Football is where Thais let their guard down for a couple of hours and join the rest of us in being fully fledged, myopic football fans with all the inherent inconsistencies.
And then after the ref has given his pea one final work out and ended the game back comes the masks. Wais are exchanged both on and off the field and everyone goes home happy. Ish.
And so to the game. Are all these Somchai cum latelys being rewarded with good football? My gut feeling is yes, no and sometimes. Watching football anywhere there is no guarantee of quality on the field. For every Teerathep and Kosin there are dozens of lesser mortals with lesser ability. And of course that extends to the match officials.
For now we have two teams engaged in a nail biting title race and four different teams contesting the FA Cup semi finals while next month sees the vital Asian Cup qualifiers against Singapore home and away.
For the next few weeks at least it is onwards and upwards for Thai football.
In many respects this game was more than just a title decider. It was a barometer of just how far the Thai Premier League has progressed over this season.
Both on and off the field, Muang Thong United, newly promoted (in both meanings of the word) and Chonburi have come to represent a newly emerging elite in Thai football. They have profile, support and one of them will be crowned TPL Champions by October 18th.
The away end was packed two hours before kick off. One side terrace and one open temporary stand were filled by singing and dancing Chonburi fans while the Muang Thong lot seemed happier to sit or stand quietly under brollies for it were bloody hot there I tell thee, bloody hot.
United’s ambition is plain to see. Their supporter base has grown in leaps and bounds over this season thanks to savvy marketing, the backing of a media group and success on the pitch.
One new stand has been added complete with executive boxes while temporary stands have been added behind both goals as the club has struggled to accommodate the surge in interest.
A well stocked club shop yesterday had people queuing to get in while just opposite a temporary stall was set up yesterday.
The club also produce by far the slickest match day programme I’ve seen in the region while yesterday even Chonburi got in on the act by producing an ‘away’ programme. All in Thai of course, have I mentioned before about Thais marketing nous?
I was watching the game with Dale, a long time fan of Chonburi and Thai football, and we discussed this surge in interest. Yes, the marketing is good. Yes the media coverage is good. But also it’s fun. The fans are yelling and dancing almost non stop, blowing whistles, banging drums, waving their arms in the air.
There ain’t no mai pen rai when you see your centre forward have his legs scythed away from the rest of his body when charging down on the goal mouth. Jai yen yen means jack shit when the ref rejects a blatant penalty. Football is where Thais let their guard down for a couple of hours and join the rest of us in being fully fledged, myopic football fans with all the inherent inconsistencies.
And then after the ref has given his pea one final work out and ended the game back comes the masks. Wais are exchanged both on and off the field and everyone goes home happy. Ish.
And so to the game. Are all these Somchai cum latelys being rewarded with good football? My gut feeling is yes, no and sometimes. Watching football anywhere there is no guarantee of quality on the field. For every Teerathep and Kosin there are dozens of lesser mortals with lesser ability. And of course that extends to the match officials.
For now we have two teams engaged in a nail biting title race and four different teams contesting the FA Cup semi finals while next month sees the vital Asian Cup qualifiers against Singapore home and away.
For the next few weeks at least it is onwards and upwards for Thai football.
# posted by Me @ 6:05 AM 
