Monday, June 14, 2010
Bangkok Glass v TTM Phichit
Having seen Bangkok Glass muller SLeague champions SAFFC 5-3 on their own cabbage patch last month in the Singapore Cup I was interested to see how they did on their own field against Thai opposition. The TPL going into the game told me not very well.
A depressing 8th place after 10 games, eight points behind leaders Chonburi, 11 goals scored and eleven conceded. A poor return for a large investment, someone would take the blame and that was the coach who was replaced in the run up to the new game.
They started well. Sutee Suksomkit was at the heart of everything good from the team nicknamed the Glass Bunny. His first touch was sublime, his vision outstanding. Ahead of him striker Ney Fabiano put himself about in the old school centre forward mode, it seemed only a matter of time before there was a goal. Unfortunately it came from the Smokers after a surging run through the middle wasn’t stopped and someone who may well have been Thai finished deliciously from outside the area.
That wasn’t in the script. At least for the home fans.
However they responded positively and were soon back at 1-1. And from then on it seemed to be one way traffic. Bangkok Glass should have gone it 2-1 at half time. A Fabiano pull back and with an open goal no one attacked the ball even though one player watched it sail past his face as he stared at the empty net.
Another cross eluded the defenders and the keeper meaning all Fabiano had to do was throw himself at the ball and make some kind of connection. He too watched it sail past, too surprised no one had cleared it.
Second half was all Bunny. I got neck ache trying to look past the camera crew sited slap bang in the middle of the VIP 200 baht seats as the home team swept forward in wave after wave of attacks.
Saruta came on much to the excitement of a young lady sat in front of me. And when he got pulled back…oh boy, a woman scorned and all that. She was jumping up and down, gesticulating and doubting the ref’s parentage.
In the last few minutes Fabiano finally made it 2-1 but you just knew there was a sting in the tail. Something about the Bangkok Glass defence had not inspired confidence all game and a sloppy free kick conceded in injury time was converted and the Smokers celebrated by coughing their lungs up.
