Chiangrai
United FC is a professional football club from the city of the same name, which
is located in the northernmost province of Thailand.
The club was
formed in 2009 when the football league system in Thailand was expanded, to
play in the third tier Regional League Northern Division and playing at the Mae
Fah Luang University Stadium north of the city under coaches Sarith Wutchuay
and then Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul.
‘The
Beetles’ won the divisional title and went forward into the Regional League
Championships, where they finished as runners-up in the five team group of regional
winners and won promotion to Thai Division 1 League.
The 2010
season was another successful one for United as a third place finish saw the
club promoted to the Thai Premier League in spite of the club going through
three coaches; Kajohn Punnaves, Rungsimun Songkrohtham and then the Brazilian
Teco during the season.
Following a
tenth place finish in their debut season, Chiang Rai opened their new United Stadium
of Chiangrai in July 2012 as the team finished in ninth position as well as
reaching the semi-final of the FA Cup where they were defeated by Army United.
The 2013
campaign was a rocky one as the club once again went through several managers
as Teco, Henk Wisman, Anurak Srikerd all had spells in charge before United’s
former defensive midfield player Teerasak Po-on took over for the final few
games.
In 2014
United finished in seventh position as well as reaching the FA Cup semi-finals
once again. This time the team were defeated after a penalty shoot out by
Bangkok Glass at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.
2015 and
2016 both resulted in more mid table finishes, with Teerasak being replaced in
December 2016 to be replaced by the Brazilian coach Alexandre Gama for the 2017
season as the Thai League was rebranded.
The club had
brokered a deal with the JARKEN group in 2016 to enhance their marketing and
brand strategy. A sponsorship deal led to the rename United’s home to Singha
Stadium, with big money signings Tanaboon Kesarat, Vander Luiz, Felipe Azevedo
and Henrique Silva arriving at the club.
The 2017 season saw United finish in fourth place in the league under head coach Gama. However, the team excelled in the cup competitions.
Chiangrai
reached the final of the League Cup against Muang Thong United at the
Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok. The match ended in a 2-0 defeat with Everton
Gonçalves being sent off to add to the agony.
United
showed great character as they returned to the same venue just four days later
to defeat Bangkok United 4-2 to lift the FA Cup. Chiangrai’s goals came from a
Vander brace, with Everton Gonçalves and Rafael Coelho also scoring to bring
joy to the travelling fans.
Under new head coach Jose Alves Borges the goals of Bill took United to fifth place in the league. However, glory would come again in the cup competitions.
In the League Cup a William Henrique goal was enough to defeat Bangkok Glass as Thammasat Stadium before the FA Cup was retaining with a 3-2 win against Buriram United with Bill netting a hat trick.
Chiangrai
United FC will play in the Thai League 1 (T1) in the 2019 season.
My visit
Chiangrai
United 1 Port FC 3 (Sunday 9th April 2017) Thai League 1 (att: 8,417)
The annual
Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes had come to an end and it was time to
get on with my few days break before the next event down in Phuket. As luck
would have it, Port, my Thai team were playing up north at Chiang Rai. I wasn’t
going to miss the opportunity.
My good pal
Steve Walker had arrived in Chiang Mai for a few nights and stayed with me so
we could head off on the Sunday morning. Our only route by public transport was
by bus. A few services stood out but booking online was unavailable.
We headed to
the bus station where Steve stood in the queue. I noticed things were not going
to plan as he was having an extended discussion with the lady behind the
counter. I went across to see what was wrong?
Basically
all the buses were full until it was too late for us to travel. Action was
needed, so I asked my pal to see if he could negotiate a taxi fare. At first
our wannabe driver asked for 2,500 Baht. This was a bit steep. Eventually he
backed down to 2,000 (around £45).
The ride was
dramatic in places as we headed up through the hills on roads that put most
back in the UK to shame. Our driver wasn’t mucking about, but he was competent.
Steve and I both grabbed a brief nap as we headed north.
Following a
phone call to our hotel we eventually found where we needed to be by the clock
tower just after midday, which was a far better result than the bus could
offer. We had lunch before checking into the smart and excellent value Moon
House @ Clock Tower rooms.
We had a bit
of an adventure after a siesta to try and plan for our evening’s adventures and
found the excellent Easy House on Jeytod Road where the beers were good value
and the food excellent.
We managed
to hail down a small sangteaw to head to Singha Stadium, and came up trumps as
the driver knew every trick in the book to get through the heavy traffic that
was building for the match. We arrived outside the busy stadium around forty
five minutes before kick off.
There was a
few Port fans among the mass of orange United shirts outside. We headed to
where most of the away fans, including quite a few ex-pats were gathered. I
asked where we could buy our tickets, only to have to go back to the main
ticket booths.
After
finding the correct window I was a bit dismayed to find that we were being
charged 200 Baht; double the price of the home fans. OK, it was only £5 in my
money, but the principle was wrong. I wanted an away win more than ever. I
grabbed us a couple of cold drinks before we entered our section.
It was like
going back to England in the 70’s and 80’s as we were given a small section in
the corner of the open section with a relatively high segregation barrier
separating us from the home support. No programmes were issued by Chiang Rai.
Singha
Stadium was an impressive arena. Aside from our steep bank, there was a raised
covered seated stand down our right hand side. Opposite was a magnificent large
single tiered main stand. The far end had an open section backed by a leisure
facility.
United were
top of the table before the weekend’s fixtures, and needed three points to
regain their position after Saturday’s results. Newly promoted Port had made a
decent start to the new campaign and went into the game in around seventh
place. A decent turn out had made the journey from the capital to cheer on the
team.
Watch the
teams come out onto the immaculate playing surface and stand to attention for
the national anthem here.
Chiangrai
started the game brightly, attacking down both wings, but the visiting defence
were coping pretty well and eventually having one or two moments of their own
on the break. By now the ground was nearly filled to capacity and the home fans
were getting behind their side, which included four Brazilians in the starting
line up.
After
seventeen minutes the early pressure eventually paid off as a fine cross came
in from the right for Felipe Azevedo to beat Port keeper Worawut Srisupha as
the ball rolled in off the post and into the net.
At this
point Steve and I both agreed that this had all the omens of being a long night
for Port. They had one or two moments of their own. Their big Brazilian forward
Josimar was a handful but he was lacking a yard of pace.
After around
twenty five minutes it looked like things were going to get far worse for Port.
Full back Panphanphong Pinkong was adjudged to have fouled wide man Thitipan Puangchan
in the area by referee Dusit Iamsakul. We were not convinced.
Justice was
seen to be done as Srisupha pulled off a fantastic save to push Rafael Coelho’s
spot kick against the post and wide. The away section celebrated wildly, and
had more cause for joy a few minutes later when Japanese midfielder Genki Nagasato
scored at the second attempt after being put through.
Our talk was
about holding on until half time and maybe grabbing a point from the match but
we didn’t account for the sublime Spaniard Sergio Suárez putting Port 2-1 up
just before half time as he calmly trapped a cross at the far post and slotted
home. Coelho had a goal ruled out for offside just before the interval.
Port were
playing so well. The defence was being expertly marshalled by skipper David
Rochela. Deputy keeper Srisupha was having a dream game while the hard working
Josimar was allowing the talents of Suárez to flourish.
The goal on
the break seemed to knock the stuffing out of United, before they gradually
regrouped. There was always the chance that they could be exposed at the back
as they needed to take more chances.
The Port
goal led a charmed life on several occasions, while referee Iamsakul kept his
cool on a few occasions where he could have easily being swayed into awarding
another penalty. The United players were not scared of going down easily in the
area.
Srisupha
pulled off a fine save before Suárez beat a challenge to break down the right
with eleven minutes of normal time to go. He cut inside past a defender and
slotted the ball past home keeper Pattara Piyapatrakitti for Josimar to slot
home from close range.
It was
bedlam in the away section. Everyone was getting behind the team. United had
yet another appeal for a penalty turned away, before the ball somehow stayed
out of the net following a scramble. Josimar missed a sitter when teed up in
the closing stages.
It was to be
Port’s night. As custom, both the home side and then away team greeted all the
spectators in the stadium. Then it was the turn of the visiting Khlong Toei Army
to celebrate with their victorious team, which can be seen here.
Getting back
into town wasn’t going to be easy, but Steve came up with an ingenious plan.
Singha Stadium was only a few hundred yards from Chiang Rai Airport. Indeed,
some Port fans were heading on foot to catch a plane back to Bangkok. We
followed suit, only we got a taxi.
We headed
straight back to Easy House for a much needed post match meal. The owner of the
establishment did all the cooking, and she was bloody brilliant at it. While
enjoying our beers we heard some noise getting closer.
It was the
ex pat Port fans, who it turned out had travelled up for the weekend. We
chatted with Dominic who was naturally elated with the evening. They were all
good guys who certainly loved their football and beer!
Steve and I
tried a few other bars; the rather quiet Siam Corner, the mad 69 Bar, the
intriguing Smile Bar before we ended the evening in Cat Bar. This was a great
choice as the owner played live music while his wife served beer.
Chiang Rai
turned out to be a wonderful destination for a couple of nights away. It wasn’t
too hectic but both Jetyod Road and the Night Bazaar offered excellent eating
and drinking options.
The people
were very warm and friendly; especially once you spoke with them and they
realised that we were good customers. Many punters spend the bare minimum so
they appreciate people buying food and drink rather than a bottle of water to
share.
We headed to
the Airport on Tuesday morning for our flight down to Phuket and a fantastic
relaxing Monday. We even saw an official Port FC car and official on Jetyod
Road. Overall it had been a great experience; with the match being the obvious
highlight.
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