Welcome to Volume Two of my blog which covers all clubs and stadiums outside the English League System along with the wonderful people responsible for keeping them going and their maintenance.
Since I was a little lad I've been fascinated in football and more so where games are played. With my love of travel and curiosity of the game I wanted to visit as many grounds and see games wherever possible.
I was fortunate that my Dad also loved the game and spent so much of his spare time taking me to matches. As I got older the boundaries widened owing to my location and increased wages to Europe and indeed the world. The sight of a stand or a floodlight pylon in the distance immediately heightens my senses and eagerness for a closer look.
I hope this site gives you the chance to share in my pleasure and experiences and maybe one day set you on the road to adventure. If you get half as much out of the hobby as I've done, I can guarantee some great memories, good friends and stories to pass on to future generations.
Give your local club a try today. They'll be delighted to see you!
Everlasting thanks primarily to my late and very much missed and dearly loved parents; my Dad Bob Bernard and my Mum; Ann, who put up with endless years of football chat and my brothers Nick and Paul who gave me the chance and encouragement to do what I have. Thanks to all my friends who offer encouragement and Sally and Stan who inspire and give me great pride. Stan is showing a keen interest in my hobby as he grows into a young man!
Please feel free to post any comments (please use sensible language - I want everyone to be able to enjoy reading) or ask any questions relating to visiting grounds or events. If you want to see any ground reviewed please let me know. It will take quite some time for everywhere to appear, but make sure you keep having a look as the site is continually updated.
If you click on a lot of the pictures you will get a larger version on your screen.
I have also added links to video clips on YouTube where appropriate for those of you who are bored of reading or are filling in time at work. I haven't always gone for the most obvious choices, but items that will be in some cases unusual but always historically interesting.
Click here to see volume one of HAOTW for everything in the English League System.
Sisaket City FC is a semi-professional football club
from the city of the same name in Thailand’s Isan region. The origins of the
club can be traced back to 2020 when it was set up with an academy to the south of the city.
In October 2021, manager Pakorn Samipak signed an
agreement with Sisaket Rajabhat University to promote and develop youth players
with the aim that they could become professional players.
In 2022 the club entered the Thailand Amateur League,
finishing in second place in Northeast Southern Zone Group F, behind Rasisalai
United, who would eventually be promoted to Thai League 3 under coach Jeerawat
Thonglue
The club was admitted entrance to the Thai FA Cup in
the 2022-23 season, going out in the first round, 4-1 to Chaingmai FC in a
match that was played at Sisaket SAT Stadium. Later that season, City entered
the Northeast region of the Thailand Semi-Pro League.
Thonglue led the side to a third-place finish with
home games being played at the Rajabhat University Stadium. Tatchanon Chindapuk
took charge of the team for their Semi-Pro league campaign of 2023-24.
Sisaket City FC will play in the Thailand Semi-Pro
League in the 2023-24 season.
My visit
Sisaket City 4 Vongchavalitkul University 0 (Sunday 3rd
March 2024) Thailand Semi-Pro League Northeast (att: 300)
With the Thai League 3 regular season completed seven
days ago, with a rest week before the playoffs begin, it was time to check to a
new ground for me and my mate John and to see what the odds were on Sisaket
getting a third locally based professional club in the national set up.
The semi-pro league in its second full season is more
or less a fourth division of old, with clubs entering it needing to hold a
required license. The winners of the six regional divisions are promoted to T3.
We came away extremely impressed with the home side
after they put game opponents to the sword in the searing heat at Rajabhat
University Stadium. It was a very competent performance with plenty of pace,
clever moves, and resolute defence. If they weren’t to win promotion, then the
winners of the mini league will be some team.
There was a delay for a clash of heads in the early stages.
City skipper Naraphong Chaudpong perhaps foolishly continued but was withdrawn
a little time later, with an ambulance taking him away.
By then his team had taken the lead with a smart
finish from Baphit Chooklin who proved to be the outstanding act all afternoon.
The forward had previously been released by both T3 sides in town, but his
strength, skill, touch, and hold up play were top notch.
The medics were again busy shortly after, as visiting
keeper Phumin Prokkaew was helped off with what looked like a damaged ankle.
This was one of several lengthy delays as the game struggled to get going
properly.
A fine break just past the half hour mark saw Nontavat
Bamrungtham put in Teerawat Anuyan who dinked delightfully over diving sub
goalie Watchara Nasompak. One suspects that the stopper should concentrate on
his studies rather than a career in the game on this showing.
As it was a sweltering hot afternoon, it was a blow
not having any refreshments available, something to consider in future. The
players took breaks for drinks and with the injuries it meant a late finish.
Not that it seemed to bother the enthusiastic crowd
who enjoyed free admission at the impressive arena. We are blessed with having three
very good football venues in Sisaket, with a fourth smaller ground hosting the
women’s team.
Five minutes after the interval Apisit Chanangam
sealed the victory with a free kick from wide on the left that everyone stood
and watched it float in off the back post, including young Watchara. Vongchavalitkul,
from Nakhon Ratchasima, getting on for five hours away, were game until the
end, with sometimes their frustration getting the better of them.
Atsarapong Lertkrathok picked up two yellows and went
for an early shower. The first of which was a borderline assault. Thanaphon
Srinak playing up front for the away side in a rather fethching shade the same
as a Cadbury chocolate wrapper was the pick of the visitors.
The excellent Bhapit had the last say in the final
minute of additional time with a fine low shot from outside the box. That was
just after John had commented that the keeper seemed to be alright as long as
he didn’t have to deal with crosses.
It was a decent game of football, again in the
excellent company of my mate John, who had his wife and daughter with him. The
ladies commented that they enjoyed it because there were no foreign players.
We had met at the reliable and enjoyable Hong Kong
Garden for food and beverages with mine host Peter and a friendly Aussie
customer adding to the chat. Post match I was kindly deposited at Leo’s, a
bistro bar with an amazing collection of Belgian bottled beers, wines, and
several European taps as well as local favourites.
My couple of pints of Guinness went down very well
before my Grab cab arrived to take my home to watch the conclusion of the excellent
Buriram United v Bangkok United game with fine food and a nightcap beer. Another
wonderful afternoon.
Surin Khong
Chee Mool FC is a professional football club from the city of Surin which is in
the northeast Thai region of Isan. They were formed in 2017 to compete in the
Thailand Amateur League, playing home games at the stadium of Rajamangala
University of Technology Isan, Surin Campus.
After
winning their group, KCM progressed to the final round, where a 5-4 victory
over Nonghan saw the club promoted to T4 Northeast for the 2018 season, renaming
themselves Surin Sugar Khong Chee Mool.
Eighth place
in their inaugural season as a professional club saw the team finish eighth,
which was backed up with sixth place in 2019 as Japanese striker Miyake Kyohei
put away the goals, prior to the Thai leagues being restructured and turning to
a European calendar.
Having
dropped Sugar from their title, ‘The Cruel Wild Elephants’ finished the 2020-21
campaign in seventh spot with Apiwat Chuenban as top scorer under head coach
Nirut Ruangsrichart, as the season was abruptly ended owing to Covid-19.
Thapakorn Deemark
took over team affairs at the start of 2021-22, prior to Kamolchai Yingmeeyou
taking over. Deemark had another spell at the helm before the appointment of Surasin
Rinyotha. He was replaced by Jobsakon Siyacheep in a chaotic season which saw
KCM end in twelfth place as Sarawut Wanpriangthaw led the scoring chart.
The same
position followed in 2022-23. Coach Ruangsrichart returned to the bench while
the goals of Kroekrit Rodmueang helped stave off relegation. Another struggle
was played out in the 2023-24 season, with Apisit Im-Amphai taking charge of
the team.
Surin Khong
Chee Mool FC will play in Thai League 3 Northeast in the 2023-24 season.
My visit
Sri Narong
Stadium
Surin Khong
Chee Mool 0 Sisaket United 4 (Sunday 21st January 2024) Thai League
3 Northeast (att: c250)
A road trip
to an away game is always enjoyable, The chance to head away overnight with my
wife Taew is always looked forward to, especially if meeting up with friends
such as Gary and Noon as in this occasion.
The couple
had come through to Sisaket for the fixture between the two sides earlier in
the season which ended in a 6-0 home win. KCM were shocking on that occasion,
although I had earlier enjoyed their spirit and attitude in their defeat away
to Rasisalai United.
However,
this latest encounter is a game that wouldn’t live long in the memory, played
on a bumpy pitch, between an awful home team and visitors who somehow made hard
work of them until tiredness led to some shocking errors.
Yet it took
Sisaket until the very last minute of the first half before they took the lead.
Their pedestrian approach unbelievably negative. I had warned Gary beforehand,
and he was astonished having seen KCM several times and knowing just how bad
they are.
In keeping
with much of the dross, a misdirected free kick was fumbled by hapless keeper
Chaturong Singjanusong. New signing, Cameroon forward Isaac Mbengan tapped home
into the empty net. KCM had earlier unbelievably come close to leading.
A glancing
header came back off the foot of the post, and then goalie Adisak Lambelsah
nearly fumbled a long range free kick into his own net. The usually excellent
Matias Panigazzi showed why he is only playing T3 football as he had a great
chance for the visitors, but he didn’t get a shot away because he can’t kick
with his right foot.
Mbengan
headed straight at the keeper from five yards, when anywhere else would have
ended in a goal. After I’d nipped out and brought back some beers from the shop
across the road, the game seemed to improve in the second half.
Home
defender Nanthachai Laokaew doing a very passable impression of Hightower from
Police Academy clumsily mishit a back pass allowing Danilo in to increase the
lead. Sadly, they took the stopper off shortly after.
I was a
great fan of his comedic performance as it reminded me of the Elephant Show I’d
visited with my family on the adjacent showground a couple of months
previously. The Brazilian added his second to make it 3-0 on seventy-seven
minutes.
This was before
that thing of rarity, a fine passing move, set up sub Phattharapong Phengchaem
to lob the keeper, who was going goodness knows where, eight minutes from time.
Somehow KCM were kept out in a rare foray before a couple of Sisaket players
contrived to cock things us when clean through.
The official
crowd was announced as 86, which drew some laughter, with the match being
played at Sri Narong Stadium, traditionally the home of Surin City. The usual
KCM university campus stadium being out of commission for a priority event.
That’s how it is here in Thailand, with football quite low down the pecking
order.
My good lady
drove us the two hours to meet up with friends, and we headed to a wonderfully
designed restaurant over a manmade lake for lunch out in the countryside.
Sadly, the service was poor, but it could have been a one off.
Post match,
Subtle Hub had some home brewed beer on tap, with the Mango Cider and then a
double hopped strong IPA making me merry. We laughed at some friendly
inebriated young locals. How little did I know.
Into town,
with Surin having plenty of options for Thais and westerners. We selected Fat
Boyd because we knew that they would be showing Thailand v Oman in the AFC Asia
Cup. Live music, food, and a drinks promotion were all welcome.
That match
ended 0-0, virtually guaranteeing Thailand progress to knockout stages which
was beyond pre-tournament expectation. Again, the interest in football
sometimes not being comprehended by non-Thais as we were about the only ones
watching one of the eight screens.
Back to
Subtle Hub when an intended nightcap turned into a lock in as the boss and his
mate wanted to watch the Liverpool game, and consequently Monday became a write
off. I’m glad our hotel was just across the road.
Ubon
Kruanapat FC is a professional football club that represents the city of Ubon
Ratchathani in the Isan region of Thailand. The club was formed in 2009 prior
to becoming an expansion club in Regional League Division 2 North Eastern
Region in 2010 as Ubon Tiger FC.
This was the
third tier of Thai football at the time, with the team playing their home games
at Ubon Rachathani Sports School Stadium. Surasak Thongkae top scored as the
side ended near the bottom of the table, prior to moving into Ubon Ratchathani
University Stadium south of the city for the 2011 campaign.
It saw an
even lower finish despite the goals of Christian Fokou, with the 2012 campaign
seeing the club return to their former home ground and changing title to Ubon
Rachathani FC. Not that it did much good as the Tigers finished bottom of the
table.
A change of
name this time to bon UMT followed. This should not be confused with the club
of the similar name that later played in the top flight of Thai football. However,
the influence of the UMT university saw the team finish third thanks to the
goals of David Srangnanaok.
The league
title followed in 2014, which saw qualification for the Champions League
playoffs. Elvis Job had put away the goals, but Ubon failed to go up from the
group stages. Obviously impressed with the potential on offer UMT set up their
own side in 2015 to enter the competition.
This meant a
change of name to Ubon Rachathani FC for the side formed in 2009. They played
second fiddle to their money laden neighbours and finished in seventh spot with
Kim Ji Hun banging in the goals. Bouba Abbo became the next goalscoring hero
for the fans, as he and his side ended as runners-up in 2016.
Again, the
play-offs were a step too far, prior to league re-organisation which saw the
introduction of four tiers in 2017. Ubon Ratchathani returned to the University
Stadium for a solitary season as they finished second from bottom in Thai
League 3 Upper Region.
A much
improved second place ensued in 2018, when back in the city, as Ahmed Abdalazen
and Abbo shared the goals. Nattapon Tabtanon led the scoring tally in 2019
which ended in a seventh place finish before further reconstruction of the Thai
League took place.
The
competition reverted to a European calendar in 2020-21 by which time the club
had been renamed Ubon Kruanapat after ownership of the club was completed by
the local food production company, Kruanapat.
Jirayoo
Suwandee was appointed as head coach as Ubon finished fourth in Thai League 3
Northeast. Tana Chanabut and then Danuson Chaiyawan led the side from the
touchline. Saran Srideth was at the helm for the start of the 2021-22 campaign.
It saw the
Tigers repeat fourth place, as Oscar Plape led the scoring charts, as he did
once again in 2022-23 under head coach Kittiyuth Puttakru. This time the side
finished fifth. The 2023-24 saw the club change home venue to the Ubon
Rathchathani Rajabhat University (RBRU) Stadium.
Chaleamkwan
Rienthong was appointed as head coach as the side was sent three Thai under 20
year old stars on loan from Buriram United for the second leg of the season.
Despite the
scoreline this was a very watchable 0-0 in a local derby with the clubs only
being an hour apart. League leader Sisaket increased the pace that they played
at with Brazlian striker Danilo a man transformed from previous showings.
In a tight
first period which fluctuated in terms of ascendancy, the visitors came closest
to scoring when a free kick from Heman Kittiamphaipruek cannoned back off the
angle of post and bar with keeper Klanarong Wissutiyanpirom motionless.
After the
break the usually ultra reliable Matias Pannigazzi missed a sitter from close
range when getting on the end of a delicious free kick delivery, and the away
side spurned another couple of chances on the break.
All the
while Ubon played their part going forward and putting in a string of good
centres without getting a shot on target in anger throughout. Defender Mounzir Coulidiati
was impressive as he was in the game that ended 0-0 in the reverse fixture.
The game
became stretched in the closing stages after decent home midfielder Jakree Burapha
was shown a second yellow card, when it looked like he’d fallen and done a good
job of using his chest while on the floor to block a through ball, but the ref
was having none of it.
Sisaket
failed to capitalise, in what was a frustrating ending. Second placed
Mahasarakham closed the gap at the top to two points, with them having a game
in hand. The two sides were scheduled to meet in the final game of the season
in Sisaket.
A great day
out, being dropped halfway in Kanthararom by my wife to meet my mate John who
drive us to Ubon Ratchathani. A late lunch was enjoyed at the excellent
American owned Peppers, where I generally take friends if are using the nearby
airport. It provided a good menu and fridge with a warm welcome from the boss, was
nice.
Ubon has
five stadiums, all worthy of staging league football. We visited UMT Stadium
for a look, now home of Ubon Poly United who are trying to win promotion from
the semi-pro league, where the team was training.
UBRU Happiness
Stadium is one of several Rajabhat Universities around Thailand and is a
pleasant place to watch football. It used to have a shale track but is now
grassed over with raised covered stands down either side. It was upgraded for
sporting games between the staff of all of Thailand’s university to compete in,
like a mini-Olympics and they have done a great job with it. Leg room and
viewing was excellent.
The away
fans were congregated on the open curve behind the goal. We went in the main
stand, with my Sisaket shirt giving our game away. We weren’t the only ones in
there! Not that there was any issue. The locals could not have been friendlier,
with the crowd including a high ratio of aesthetic onlookers.
To round off
a near perfect day, my good lady was waiting at my pickup point with a can of
Thai brewed German style dunkel which was most appreciated. Some top snooker
and the Everton v Aston Villa game on TV over grub and more drinks most
entertaining before bedtime.
Yasothon
FC is a professional football club representing the province of the same name
in northeast Thailand. Originally formed as Yasothon United in 2010, they were
placed in the third tier Regional League Division 2 North Eastern Region as an
expansion club.
Playing
home games at Yasothon Province Stadium, the side ended in a credible third
place, which was backed up by fourth position in 2011. A midtable and then
lowly position ensued before the club dropped out of the league at the end of
the 2013 season.
They
returned, minus the United moniker, after a two-year break and ended the 2016
season in eleventh place. Restructuring of the Thai League saw ‘The Rockets’
placed in Thai League 4 Northeast in 2017, ending in ninth spot.
Attendances
were encouraging as supporters cheered the goals of Ousmanou Mohamadou. The Cameroon
forward was replaced at the top of the scoring chart by Guinea forward Diop
Badara Aly for a couple of seasons, as Yasothon finished third and then
eleventh in the table.
Thai
football was once again remodelled to follow the European calendar for the
2020-21 season with changes to the league structure following. Phakhawat
Poonachang ended as leading scorer for the Rockets, as they ended third in T3
Northeast under head coach Jakkapob Kattiwong.
Ninth
and then tenth place finishes followed as first Pongsak Boontos led the goals
chart in 2021-22 and then Amronphun Homduang twelve months later. Tanut Pattaramanee
took over as head coach for the 2023-24 season.
Yasothon
FC will play in Thai League 3 Northeast in the 2023-24 season.
My
visits
Yasothon
2 Rasisalai United 1 (Sunday 1st October 2023) Thai League 3
Northeastern (att:400)
This
was a proper explorer’s day out without the aid of the safety belt, diving into
the semi-unknown for which I was rewarded with a cracking finish to a game not particularly high in standards of quality on a gluepot of a pitch in deepest
the northeast Isan region of Thailand.
I’d
done a little research relating to the game, as I do videos as things unfold
for our weekly Thai football podcast, and noticed gates at Yasothon had dropped
off a cliff since Covid, which perhaps explained the free admission to try and
entice fans back, as well as selling club shirts for just 399 Baht (8.90)
Judging
by the noise at full-time, most may well return. Their team, ‘The Rockets’
named as this is the area home to the annual big money rocket festivals, were
second best for long periods in thought and pace.
Before
kick-off the King’s Anthem sounded like it was being played by a brass band from West
Yorkshire, which immediately gave me a boost. The gent on the PA did his bit
throughout to build the atmosphere in a voice making his sound like a Thai Michael
O’Hehir.
Visiting
skipper Thitiphong Photumptha put his side ahead after twenty-four minutes when
keeper Surakiad Kratumkhan flapped at and missed a corner. The initial header
came back off the post before the rebound was headed home by the same player.
The
legs of Surakiad denied Nattapon Yongsakool who really should have doubled the
advantage. Rasisalai, who must have thought I was stalking them as this was the
fourth week in succession I’d watched them, were made to pay in first half
stoppage time.
It is available to listen to on Spotify, Facebook, and YouTube
Ratthaphum
Sophasing glanced home a header from a free kick to send the teams level down
the tunnel. I went for a walk hopeful of spotting some kind of transport back
to the bus station while exchanging smiles with lots of new friends.
The
away side again dominated attacking possession after the restart on what really
was a poor playing surface, which again would probably have seen a postponement
elsewhere around the world.
It
was a relief to see a huge storm skirt around town in the distance, as the
lightning flashed. Yasothon were forced to change keepers owing to injury. The
replacement Jetsada Bunrueng was stocky and short, but surprisingly hardly
tested.
The
pitch inevitably aided poorly timed challenges often caused by mis control of
the ball, which some players made the most of, leaving referee Rutratchapoom
Moolpong to try and decipher a huge game of Call my Bluff. Players really don’t
help themselves, but it appears to be seen as an occupational hazard out here
if it means getting an opponent into bother.
It
generally ends in one side being depleted. This time it was Jumnong Pitchayang
of Yasothon who left his mates in the lurch, receiving his second yellow card midway
through the second half. However, home coach Saranuwat Nasartsang had an ace up
his sleeve when introducing forward Jetsada Artyatha just before the dismissal.
Jetsada
was like a bull in a China shop. He was slow but he put his body on the line
and most importantly, he got the crowd going and enthused his teammates as he got
stuck into opponents and started to make things happen. Fans are the same
around the world. They love a trier, especially one that engages with them, and
this fella immediately got them on his side.
The
away side were still more likely to grab a winner, but the home side were
forcing them back. I didn’t think that they had the wherewithal or pace to create
a clear chance. I’d moved round behind the goal for the last few minutes, as
time was tight at full-time.
Jetsada
made a smart run to stay onside and collect a good pass. Keeper Banhan
Thubthong advanced and tried to make a diving block, but the ball was dinked
over him and crawled over the line in the final of the six additional minutes.
The
place went berserk, including those maybe unaware of the free admission who
watched from behind the perimeter railings, with some enjoying a boozy tailgate
party. Seconds later it was all over.
I
had tried to convince a young fella to drive me back to the bus station in his
tuk-tuk, but it turned out it was a company vehicle rather than being for hire.
It meant a second fifty-five-minute walk of the day avoiding several ratty soi
dogs as I proceeded.
And
that’s where the exploring part comes into the equation. Thailand and public
transport is something of a lottery, especially out in the provinces. I waited
for ninety minutes in Kanthararom in the morning for a van service to Ubon
Ratchathani.
The
first was full and the fella at the ticket desk just shrugged his shoulders
when I asked when the next one was due. It certainly makes me smile when I
think back to customers haranguing me on the tube if the next train was fifteen
minutes away.
From
Ubon I had a forty-five-minute wait for the bus to Yasothon. Thankfully, things
are more organised at the bigger bus terminals. The fare was 116 Baht for the
100km journey. However, now lagging time wise meant I had to forego a visit to
a museum on a lake I wanted to see.
The
only form of public transport was a motor bike taxi which I’m petrified of.
No conventional taxis, buses or tuk tuks. Grab and Bolt not yet heard of in the
province. It is your own transport or Shanks’s Pony time.
I managed to walk back after the game just in time, if
the 18.20 service had being punctual. Of course, it was not, which left things
tight at Ubon to get across town to catch the last 20.30 train as all buses towards
Sisaket stop at 18.00.
Google Maps said it was a nineteen-minute journey to
the station. The train left in sixteen minutes. I got on board with two to
spare, which offers an indication as to how fast my taxi driver went. Then on
reaching Kanthararom I discovered my good lady had crashed out at home with no
Grab available. She rose from her slumbers and brought me a beer.
A day that I’m unlikely to forget in a hurry. It was
magical to encounter met with smiles and genuine curiosity throughout, and
watching a red full moon rise as I watched the Ryder Cup on my phone in the
middle of nowhere. What an incredible world we live in.
Yasothon 0
Sisaket United 1 (Saturday 6th January 2024) Thai League
3 Northeast (att: 300)
An away trip
to kick off 2024, as my friend John offered to drive us the 120km north for the
match, which pitted the side sitting third from bottom of the table against the
leaders who were backed by around fifty visiting fans. What we got was a
shocker of a match on a terrible hard bumpy pitch.
Both sides overplayed
passes continually with play scrappy and disjointed, and quite often tetchy. Damian
of Sisaket continually played the aggressor, often for no reason apart from
wanting to try and show off how hard he was. It gets dull week after week. As
does the one paced build of play of his side.
If there is
a less entertaining side in the country, then I dread to see them, but despite
this they don’t let goals in. I can only imagine coach Narongthanaphorn must
get some kind of guilty pleasure of collecting clean sheets and hanging onto
narrow victories against sides that other teams simply batter to one side.
Make no
mistake, Yasothon were awful, and surely only the free admittance sees them
attract any support. They are club going through the motions. You can’t get a
beer and there is no sign of any souvenir stall, which is rare. It’s a shame as
they have potential and a great catchment area.
Danilo
missed a free header from five yards for United while Matias Panigazzi saw his
headed effort superbly turned around by the otherwise erratic home keeper Suriya
Singkhubit. The only goal came four minutes before the break. An overhit pass hit
a bump and stood up for Danilo.
The keeper was on the edge of his box assuming
the ball would reach him. The big Brazilian lobbed him, but the bounce saw his
effort come back off the bottom of the bar. Pazigazzi followed up to stoop and
head home.
The Argentinian was the best player at Sisaket by a country mile and put in everything he had week after week. His fellow overseas players should have bought his meals after matches
because they are frankly getting away with it. Without him they would have been even
more inept.
The second
half was awful. Ineptitude was in evidence all around. There were more petty
arguments, mainly involving the two African home forwards and Sisaket’s
Brazilian duo. The half was probably best summed up in stoppage time as the
visitors invited more pressure towards their own goal.
The hosts were awarded a
free kick just outside the box. They took an age to take it, with the effort
eventually being fired twenty yards over the bar. Still, the table says it was
three more points for the table toppers.
We had
arrived just short of a couple of hours before the 3.30pm kick off and settled for
pre-match food at Hug Restaurant in the old town. What a find it was too, with
excellent Italian food made by the Thai owner who had probably served me pizza
near Asoke station in Bangkok in the past.
He and his wife spoke great English
and were most amiable. He had a reasonable beer selection and an amazing wine
cellar. He told us
he would show us his distillery if we called again, which might be in May.
Yasothon hosts an annual rocket festival which is extremely popular in that
part of NE Thailand and sees huge crowds as well as illegal gambling around
lots of eating and drinking, two of my favourite hobbies. I might treat my good
lady to an overnight stop.
On our return
to Sisaket we headed to Hong Kong Garden for food, drinks, and to watch the
Sunderland v Newcastle Cup tie. A fine day out meeting nice people, which
included a Russian and his Thai girlfriend who had ridden 90km on the motorbike
to Yasothon for the match.
John as ever was excellent company along with Peter at his fine establishment before my regular Grab taxi arrived
to take me home at 10pm.
My video report sent to A Thai Football Podcast which was played during Episode 29