Prachinburi 3 - 2 Vana Nava Hua Hin City
I travelled to Prachinburi knowing that to be sure of competition for a promotion spot on the last day of the season, at least a point would be required. I was actually quietly confident of 3 points after the way our opposition had played at Fort Thanarat.
Well, after a marathon journey (that's for another post), we eventually arrived at the opposition's ground some 13.5 hours after departing Hua Hin. What a dump Prachinburi was!!!
By far, this was the worst professional football ground I had ever been to. The playing surface was a disgrace also. If you look at the goalmouth here, it was on 2 levels. However, it was exactly this problem that gifted Kissana Hua Hin's 2nd goal, so it was as bad for the home team as well.
About an hour before the match the local fire brigade was brought in to water the pitch.
We were actually hoping the referee, who was doing his pre-match pitch inspection at the time, might also get an early bath, but the fireman wasn't that good a shot.
Hua Hin had a support of about 50, and actually outnumbered the home fans. All things taken into consideration, I have to wonder if poor ground, poor pitch and poor support is the reason Prachinburi were (maybe deliberately) at the bottom of the Champions League. I honestly don't think Prachinburi could sustain Div 1 football.
Hua Hin were still without Anucha, who I now know is suffering from a serious injury and Yonsak. Owusu (the man who had locked the Hua Hin defence at Udon) was suspended, and took his place in the crowd with the fans. Despite this, we still fielded quite a strong side.
The match kicked off, and the normally solid Hua Hin defence were all over the place. Shota was on the
left wing laying on the ground (he's our brilliant, ever dependable goalie by the way)
, and Kanchit and Lampty were falling over each other. One minute gone, and we're a goal down - WTF
After gifting Prachinburi a one goal lead, Hua Hin settled down, and started playing some pretty football. Nutthapong's equaliser was inevitable. Hua Hin remained in control until Prachinburi took the lead again, totally against the run of play with a screaming shot from way outside of the box, which gave Shota absolutely no chance.
Hua Hin remained in contol, and just before half time a poor Kissana shot, hit the uneven goal line surface and left the Prachinburi keeper and cenre-half stranded (it might have struck the centre-half on the way in, so might be an own goal).
The second half started, and the referee must have decided it was now his turn to make the headlines. As with all Div 2 referees, the game suddenly became about him and his linesmen
Maybe I'm doing them an injustice, and I don't understand the Thai offside rule. It seems to me, week after week that a different rule is being played. However, the International offside rule is played when it suits. This isn't sour grapes, it affects all teams, and leaves everybody except the match officials bemused.
Anyway, back to the game. It was good end to end stuff, with Hua Hin always looking most likely to score. Then it happened, Nuttapong scored a lovely headed goal. However, for some reason (I think the ball boy was offside), the referee declared offside. Prachinburi ran down the other end, and scored the winner with a very well taken header.
Hua Hin continued to press, but Prachinburi had parked the bus.
For me, and I don't say this very often, Hua Hin's man of the match was Kissana, who was a constant threat to Prachinburi,
An excellent game, spoilt by the ref. That marks the end of a great season, which I've enjoyed very much.
Next week should be party time for Prachuab. I wonder what Hua Hin's attitude will be. Will they try a few players that normally sit on the sidelines? We have nothing to lose, so why not put them into real game against decent opposition. Who knows, we may be pleasantly surprised.
).
. IMHO they are nothing more than thugs.
), or supporting your local side, just because you can? Don't forget the old saying, "Better to be winning in the second, than not winning in the First."
