UHT Vana Nava Hua Hin City FC 2015

[dundrillin]

Thanks,looking forward to going to my first game.

[Big Boy]

dundrillin, assuming you are going to catch the free bus to & from the match, last year there used to be a requirement to phone to book your place. While I'm sure they wouldn't turn you away (if there's room on the bus), I'd advise phoning one of the phone numbers on this poster from last season first:

bus.jpg (66.02 KiB) Viewed 870 times

[dundrillin]

Will do ,thanks

[Big Boy]

Confirmed as Saturday, bur earlier KO.

[Davy B]

UHT VANA NAVA HUA HIN CITY FC 1 NONTABURI 0.

Not a great game, if I am honest, but on the balance of play and the number of chances created we deserved the victory, thanks to Yongsak`s goal half way through the second half after some fancy footwork from Anucha had created the chance. The crowd numbers expanded somewhat during the first half, no doubt thinking it was still a 4pm kick off. The band were back in full voice again aswell. The teams themselves seem to cancel each other out but we defended well considering our obvious lack of height at the back - and through the rest of the team come to think about it. Sato, the new Japanese player, made his debut and looked fairly comfortable and showed some nice touches. Once again there was no sign of Nolberto Solano, adding to the mystery of will he , wont he be coming to Hua Hin. There was also no sign of the 3 Brazilians who are also rumoured to be joining the squad, although after a brief chat with Big Boy at the final whistle he intimated that if Solano was coming at all he was expected this week along with the 3 Brazilians. Thanks to the result today we now have another home tie against Krung Thonburi FC next week. Have I missed anything out, Big Boy?

[Big Boy]

Yes Davy, I think you covered most of it.

I must say that I was shocked to see only Wongsawad and Shota from last season in the starting line-up. I was dreading a goal, because I wouldn't have had a clue who had scored it. Thankfully, we brought on 3 of last season's champions for the last 30 minutes, and 2 of them worked together to produce Yongsak's winner.

We have to remember that we are still 3 foreign Grade A players, the like of which have never been seen in this league before.

Nobby Solano??? - the mystery deepens. The fans association congratulated this man for winning his first match in charge this evening.

Pradeim???

The question has to be, "Caretaker, or the real thing?"

As for the first 15 minutes, I thought it was looking good - pushing forward all of the time. After that, I didn't feel very hopeful for the coming season. We have to remember that our opposition only managed 11th place out of 13 in a league which we won last season.

That's about all that I can add.

[Sabai Sabai]

Well, I made it along today, enjoyed the game. I thought we played well in spells. Definitely had the look of a team still getting to know each other though, unsurprisingly I guess. I thought the number 6 had a good game, looked a good player..... I think he is the guy formerly of Chang Mai and Udon Thani, helped both of them to promotion(not 100% sure on that, will check) I will reserve judgement on Sato as I'm not sure he was 100% fit.

I managed to speak to Rickardo, our new partner, indeed 50% owner so I'm told. He seemed a very nice guy, spoke very well, has great ambitions for the club. Talking about all sorts of things from the youth development and us being a FIFA Academy(whatever that is) to the new stadium, players and coach....

The new stadium will be ready in about 4 months time, he seemed irritated that it had been delayed somewhat but it was a problem with the land out of his hands.

He "couldn't speak" about Solano. He did say however, that he was unhappy with the press leaking the story, specifically mentioned the Daily Mail. He wouldn't give a straight yes or no answer but indicated he was still optimistic about him coming. So, certainly not dead in the water, as I was beginning to think.

With regards the 3 Brazilians, he seemed totally confident they are definitely coming and will be here this week for sure, Thursday at latest.

That will certainly give us more height in the team, there is a centre half, central midfielder and centre forward, they are all tall, the centre half is 194cm. Hopefully they can bed in quickly with the rest of the team!

Onwards and upwards, see you next week!

[Big Boy]

I thought the number 6 had a good game, looked a good player..... I think he is the guy formerly of Chang Mai and Udon Thani, helped both of them to promotion(not 100% sure on that, will check)

That was Wongsawad - one of the 2 Champions who survived from last season, and started today's match. Or is he a look-alike? Maybe I'm confused by him wearing Wongsawad's number 6 from last season.

[Sabai Sabai]

I thought the number 6 had a good game, looked a good player..... I think he is the guy formerly of Chang Mai and Udon Thani, helped both of them to promotion(not 100% sure on that, will check)

That was Wongsawad - one of the 2 Champions who survived from last season, and started today's match. Or is he a look-alike? Maybe I'm confused by him wearing Wongsawad's number 6 from last season.

After a bit research, it would seem that's the case.

I had been interested in the guy we've signed from Udon(Chang Mai before them) as there was a lot of excitement about him being a very good player. Added to that, there was a nice article on him the other day. The Problem is the Thai names..... The guy is known by his nickname "Pu" but that's not what is on the team sheet or read out!

Anyway, after some investigation, I've discovered this guy didn't even make the squad today....

So, going forward, we have him to look forward to coming into the team, the 3 Brazilians and, I hope, a fitter Sato...

[Davy B]

Thanks for the update Sabai Sabai. I must say it is really handy to have someone that can relate things back to the "farang" that are obviously totally bemused at the goings on at the football club. Rickardo appears to be very approachable and has serious plans for the future of the club. At least now we don`t have to rely on a truly awful Bing translate to understand what is going on. As regards the story relating to Nobby Solano, I suppose you have to get used to these types of things happening when you have such plans to move the club forward. He is a known player but he has very limited experience in coaching or management so it would be a bold move to bring him in. What exactly would be his role and would it actually add anything to what is already there? Only time will tell I suppose and I am sure we will all be waiting anxiously in the coming weeks to see it all unfolding. What I saw yesterday was a competent performance but not that much different to what we saw last season, so it is going to be interesting to see if our new signings are going to take us up to the next level. Keep us up to date if at all possible............

[Big Boy]

I was wondering how many of yesterday's starting 11 were the best available? The opposition are way below the standard of what we expect to field, so were the better players rested with 2 weeks to the start of the season proper?

If that was our premier starting 11, minus whoever we still have to arrive, we will really have strength in depth this season, with champions such as Anucha, Kanchit, Yongsak and Nutthapong, all of whom made significant contributions last season, sat on the sidelines. With the likes of "Pu" not even making an appearance, are we not showing our hand yet?

If Solano isn't a wind up, and he does eventually come to grace us with his presence (I'm with Davy, thinking he is a name with no relevant experience, but hoping I'm wrong), the same sources say that he's bringing his own 2 man coaching squad with him, IMHO if they cared about Hua Hin City, they'd be here now.

While we weren't playing last season's slow attacking game with the ball being passed back into defence 6 times before we get into the opposition half (giving the opposition ample time to get organised before we arrived in the danger area), we were still giving the ball away too easily at crucial times.

As for Anucha and Kanchit, they both appeared to have piled on the pounds during the short break - or is it an illusion of the new kit?

[Sabai Sabai]

Rickardo appears to be very approachable and has serious plans for the future of the club. At least now we don`t have to rely on a truly awful Bing translate to understand what is going on.

Yeah, hopefully it should start to become more "farang friendly!" He said he is in charge of the commercial side of things, admits it's a big job, a lot of things to do but stressed they are there for the long term, certain things will take time. He specifically mentioned a proper website in both English and Thai. It's a shame the stadium has been delayed as that should help boost numbers attending, he said they will be going on a PR offensive around that time and wants to try and lure some of the expat football fans living here, there's an awful lot like watching footie on the tv every week but it's not the same as going to a game. Indeed, I brought a farang friend of mine along yesterday and he enjoyed it, I've a feeling he'll be attending quite regularly this season now.

I was wondering how many of yesterday's starting 11 were the best available? The opposition are way below the standard of what we expect to field, so were the better players rested with 2 weeks to the start of the season proper?

If that was our premier starting 11, minus whoever we still have to arrive, we will really have strength in depth this season, with champions such as Anucha, Kanchit, Yongsak and Nutthapong, all of whom made significant contributions last season, sat on the sidelines. With the likes of "Pu" not even making an appearance, are we not showing our hand yet?

I was wondering that myself, surely we will get stronger in time. Admittedly I've seen us play better than we did yesterday but we got the job done. Another competitive game next week now, hopefully might see some of the Brazilians, although it may come too soon for them, hopefully they should be fit enough though.

[Davy B]

Music to my ears - a website in both English and Thai. Brilliant idea!! I have even mentioned this on the Hua Hin City FC page but it has probably fallen on deaf ears. A trip to Phetburi the other week was the last straw in that respect as the venue was in Thai and I presumed - because they are supposed to be a big club - that it would be at the big stadium and it wasn`t. Lessons have been learnt from it.
Anucha looked like he had put on a couple of stone -and it wasn`t muscle- so I presume he has been eating all the pies at Burgers & Beers in Market Village over the close season. I thought I would throw in a bit of advertising for good friends of mine!! The new shirts look awful and after only a few minutes seem to have a cling film effect on the players bodies. Not a pretty sight from where I was sitting - so I think I will stick with my replica shirts from last season. thank you very much!! Once the new stadium is open I would think there will be a hell of a lot more supporters, mainly farang that are staying in the Takiab area of town, coming along to see the team playing in Hua Hin. The commercial side of things, albeit a big job, will then take off and be hopefully rewarding for the club. It is exciting times at the football club and I am glad to be part of it!!

[Big Boy]

[Davy B]

Big Boy, I see your favourite club endured the usual 800 mile plus round-trip just to get another gubbing at Hartlepool at the weekend!! Ha ha ha!!