The 2018 campaign saw Kasem Bundit end in eleventh position as the Brazilian Alaan Bruno De Souza E Santos topping the scoring chart. A slight improvement to eighth place with Selwan Al Jaberi knocking in the goals occurred in 2019 under coach Aphirak Sriarun
Kasem Bundit University 1 Bangkapi FC 1 (Sunday 17th July 2020) Thonburi League East Zone (att: c100)
The second week of the Thonburi League offered an opportunity to return to the venue. It had been closed to spectators during the Thai League season owing to Covid-19, with Kasem Bundit playing home games behind closed doors.
Steve managed to finish duties early enough so we could get to the 3pm kick-off, though not without a slight hitch in communications. I headed to find Family Mart on Sam Wa Road to meet my mate. However, the sign was no longer above the shop.
Consequently, I walked halfway down the road before giving him a call. He’d gone past on his motorbike on the other side and was now ordering some grub in KFC. No matter, as we were soon reunited and heading down Rom Klao Road in a taxi.
As ever Bangkapi had a few supporters in tow. They went in the stand opposite the main side. The pair of us sat in near enough the same position as our previous visit on what was a hot afternoon.
The weather didn’t do anything to stifle the action, as the game was of high intensity from the get-go. Bangkapi played some nice passes, which in the main tried to pick out the pacy forward in the number 29 shirt.
He was close to getting on the end of a coupler of through balls, that were slightly overhit. However, one delivery on twenty-five minutes saw him in to push the ball past the keeper before being upended in unceremonious fashion by the custodian.
It was a clearcut penalty and surely a card of sorts to the offender. We were astonished that the referee decided that the award was punishment enough. The members of the away side bench were not massively impressed either.
The visiting side skipper, wearing the 6 jersey, coolly dispatched to make it 0-1. We thought we’d witness an easy Bangkapi win at this point, as they continued to take the initiative and create problems for the young student side.
KBU’s keeper made a top save to deny the scorer of the earlier penalty, when diving to stop a curling free kick. By now the hosts decided to get stuck into their opponents as the ref began to pay the price for not cautioning the home goalie when he should have.
He began to show yellow cards for lesser offences, and generally became inconsistent while trying to restore discipline. The tactic seemed to fire up the students as they began to get back into the game.
A fine break could easily have ended in a goal but for a terrible pass missing a free man by a long way. They did equalize when awarded a free kick, which was getting on for thirty yards from goal. Bundit’s skipper, the number 12 put in a fantastic bending effort into the top corner.
At the interval we headed off for water in the excellent onsite store across behind the stand. We marvelled at some of the facilities on offer to the scholars. Certainly, a little different from the schooldays back in Scarborough we earlier reminisced about.
The home team in blue continued to impress upon the restart. It was an excellent advert in general for local amateur football. A fine Bundit move saw a low cross come close to being converted at the near post.
After that the passion or pace never gave in. nor did the referee issuing cards, but neither side caused the keepers any real distress. Efforts on goal were limited to weak shots from the edge of the box that were saved comfortably.
A draw was undoubtedly a fair result. We headed out
back down the lane, past even more incredible facilities before boarding a songthaew
back to Minburi Market. I grabbed some food and headed home for ODI cricket and
the British Open golf on TV.
Kasem Bundit 3 Thaispirit 0 (Sunday 31st
July 2022) Thonburi League East Zone (att: c80)
Another opportunity for Steve and me to pop round the
corner to the local university and we were happy we did. Before arrival I most
certainly had Spirit down as favourites, but the hosts showed up my local
football knowledge.
Bundit showed their intentions from the start with both number 8 and 9 having chance to advance on the visitor’s goal, but both stopped in their tracks through a lack of pace and looking to set up teammates which came to nothing.
Spirit looked good on the break before the hosts deservedly took the lead on thirty-five minutes when 9 got free out wide. His low cross was volleyed in low at the back post by number 10.
The students continued to impress and were opening up the Spirit defence at will. At the break we wandered across to the shops before returning to our seats with provisions. The away side nearly drew level shortly after the restart.
A low shot from an indirect free kick hit the foot of the Kasem post. The home sides 49 saw a header from the corner drew a great save from the Spirit keeper. The 23 headed wide and then 9 dragged a shot across goal as the pressure mounted.
The Spirit keeper made a massive error when fumbling a free kick from 12, which was pounced upon by 23 to score. The impressive performance was backed up when the lead was extended as 12 got through to set up 23 to score at the near post.
Bundit were superb throughout and thoroughly merited their victory. Spirit continued to the end and drew a save out of the home goalie who tipped over. During the closing stages we were treated to an amazing storm building over Minburi.
We were fearing the worst as the clouds and lightning advanced on us. Typically, the heavens began to open right on half time as we walked back to the main road. Fortunately, a songthaew soon arrived on Rom Klao to take us back towards home.
Kasem Bundit University 5 Bangkok FC 3 (Saturday 8th October 2022) Thai League 3 Bangkok Perimeter (att: 150)
Occasionally you leave a ground shaking your head with a big smile, and this was one of those days. What a game of football. I was already in a good move on arrival after a pleasant walk to the ground from home.
After paying my 80 Baht I got a good seat chatting to a local man who could speak a bit of English once we had a sad minute of silence for the poor kids massacred in Nong Bua province earlier in the week.
The pitch was scarred in places through the heavy rainfall in previous weeks and overuse. It was good to see the hosts take the field with a Thai starting eleven. The visitors took the lead on nine minutes when Bruno Suzuki received a slide rule pass and scored off the legs of keeper Chitchana Tuksinpila.
The scorer missed a great chance to double the advantage, slicing wide. KBU responded when Anipong Kijkam made a good stop to keep out a downward header from Attaphon Kannoo, who was feature throughout the contest.
Bunlue Thongkliang had a stinging shot for Bangkok saved by Tuksinpila before a drinks break was called in the heat by referee Jatupol Kidklang as the pitch was starting to cut up in places, which would add to the ensuing drama.
Just as a large group of away fans arrived their side went 2-0 up on thirty-four minutes through a low shot at the near post from Thongkliang. Poor defence allowed Ronnarid Saichantuek to get an effort away for Kasem that was saved.
The attendance consisted of mainly students. I saw a couple wearing Buriram United E-Sports shirts, a phenomenon I fail to grasp. The hosts sloppiness in possession was pounced upon with the last action of the half when Goshi Okubo made it 3-0. That was surely that?
Having seen Bangkok a few weeks earlier I knew that they were a good side but also susceptible at the back. However, I wasn’t ready for what was about to follow. Whatever manager Vallop Suwandee said to the Bundit players at the break I don’t know, but it worked.
But only after the away side missed a guilt edged chance to extend their lead further. Both Thongkliang and the excellent Padungsak Phothinak seemed to be in on goal but somehow the defenders got back to scramble clear. How the Fire Bulls were to pay for the missed opportunity.
Bundit rallied with Prasert Pattawin drawing a save out of Kijkam before they grabbed a goal back on fifty minutes when a low shot from skipper Chaiyasan Homboon was too hard for the custodian to keep out.
The home fans started to see a chink of light and got behind their side. Homboon made it 2-3 eight minutes later with a superb bending free kick into the top corner. All hell broke loose a minute later when a low cross shot was put into his own net by Banjong Phadungpattanodom.
3-3 with half an hour to play as the hosts piled forward with Kannoo a real nuisance for the hosts. A couple of times he rattled into Kijkam who in truth didn’t look up for it despite keeping out a header from the forward.
The momentum had swung round completely with home sub, Sundy Wongderree nearly lobbing the out of position Kijkam from deep. The inevitable happened with three minutes of normal time remaining when a cross took a ricochet in the box and landed at the feet of Kannoo who made no mistake to put his team ahead.
Shortly after the warrior was carried off suffering from cramp and nearly dropped from the stretcher by the youngsters carrying him on the muddy surface. In stoppage time Supakrit Petpon found himself unmarked to volley in at the back post to round off an amazing game.
Wandering away for a songthaew back to Minburi an English fella spotted my Hull City shirt. He was from Leominster and was a friend of Jarrod Bowen. What a small world. It was his first Thai game and was holiday, and certainly bewildered by what he had seen as a Chelsea season ticket holder.
We had a good chat as I put him right on the quickest way back to the city. He had somehow persuaded a motorbike taxi to take him to the game! I bet he won’t forget his experience in a hurry either. A great afternoon.
Kasem Bundit University 0 Royal Thai Army 2 (Saturday 22nd October 2022) Thai League 3 Bangkok Perimeter (att: c140)
A quick return for Rom Klao but unfortunately it was average fare compared to my previous visit. Army in a camouflage shade of dark green deservedly took the points with an army style performance full of fitness and discipline.
They went close in the early stages when Narongsak Saekaw saw his shot deflected wide prior to a dipping effort from Tanapon Sintan being required to be tipped over the bar by home custodian Natthawut Tharapon.
Home forward Kannoo wasn’t getting the same joy against Bangkok and was well marshalled. The visitors took the lead with a fine shot from the edge of the box that flew into the roof of the next from the left boot of Surat Suriyachai seven minutes before the interval.
The soldiers carried on with their dominance as attacking midfielder Niphon Kamthong just failed to convert on the stretch before a free kick from Pinijphong Jaengploy hit the side netting of the Bundit goal.
After half time the students came desperately close to an equaliser with veteran defender Chatchai Mokkasem heading a shot from substitute Muhammadtaofik Disa-Eh off the line. Kamthong then came close to doubling the lead at the other end with an effort from outside the box.
The homesters continued pressing for parity but were failing to create many clear-cut chances. Tharapon made a terrific fingertip save pushing a allow shot from Atikan Kaokaew around the post to keep his team in the game.
However, he was powerless six minutes from time to prevent Sattra Pokhom smashing home after tremendous work in the corner from Apirak Dawrueng who beat his man before pulling a pinpoint pass into the box.
A highlight for me was the extravagant signalling and awarding of yellow cards by referee Kittipong Choolerd. He was completely over the top and not particularly brilliant. In the final action Pattawin forced a save out of Army goalie Kittitat Jeennok, after which I headed home to watch England defeat Bangladesh in the World Cup T20 cricket.
Kasem Bundit University 0 North Bangkok University 0 (Wednesday 30th November 2022) Thai League 3 Bangkok Permiter (att: 150)
I’m not sure what it is about North Bangkok University, but I couldn’t get a decent game out of them. This was the third consecutive 0-0 draw I had seen them part of. Their defensive coach should be a proud man.
A Wednesday afternoon fixture was a bit of a bonus, and again gave me the opportunity of some exercise, while I sat in my usual place in the stand. I could write about the nice surroundings and the effort that both sides put in.
But in truth, this was a really hard game to watch as nothing really happened. Defences remained on top, with chances at a premium. The one highlight, a straight red card shown to Teerapong Malai of the visitors in the ninety-fifth minute.
Perhaps he fancied getting to the showers first? That said, I’m glad I made the effort as it was still a far better option than staying indoors.
Kasem Bundit University 3 Samut Prakan 2 (Sunday 8th January 2023) Thai League 3 Bangkok Perimeter (att: c250)
Now this was much more like it. Steve accompanied me via taxi to the match. My pal was shocked to have to pay 80 Baht, as matches at the stadium in the Thonburi League were free admission, but he soon noticed the difference in quality.
We were treated to a cracking encounter that was fast paced from the off. Both sides looked to play football on what in recent matches had become an increasingly worn and difficult playing surface in patches.
The hosts were excellent going forward in the first half, yet despite this, the sides went down the tunnel at halftime with the scores blank. We didn’t have to wait long for the goals to start, with Bundit going ahead three minutes after the restart through Sundy Wongderree.
Rattasak Wiang-In doubled the advantage just past the hour mark, at which point it looked a case of how many the students would win by. However, with ten minutes remaining Prakan pulled one back through Jirayu Niamthaisong.
Kasem went straight up the other end and restored their two-goal advantage when defender Sontaya Thotam netted. Niamthaisong dragged his side back into it with a tremendous direct free kick into the top corner in the second of three additional added on minutes.
The home team saw out the game, while we wandered out onto Rom Klao and discovered a new electronic bus service heading back to Minburi, where we visited the market before I headed to my new abode on Hathai Rat for tea.
Kasem Bundit 0 Thammasat 5 (Thursday 31st August 2023) University Freshy Cup (att: c250)
A comprehensive win for the team north of Bangkok in a competition being played by eight universities from around the capital over the course of a month. Both the neatly smarted up and retitled Estadio Kasem with a wonderful playing surface and Bangkok University Stadium staging all the matches.
Freshy would seem to be sponsors, rather than what I perceived to be the Thai derivation of Freshers. Pre-match I’d have made the hosts favourites, purely as they have a team in the third tier of Thai football as well as a top-flight women’s side. My knowledge was obviously not up to scratch, as many UK bookies will testify over the years.
Kasem were always likely to struggle. Their keeper was much smaller than everyone on the pitch. It would be decisive. The away team went ahead just before the half hour mark when Narawit Phet Prakob finished off a fine passing move.
A low shot from outside the box from Nithikon Limpanawas saw the short arms of the goalie not getting anywhere close to the ball. In stoppage time Panuwit Kumarasit broke through, was too strong, and finished neatly.
At the interval I managed to swap sides of the pitch for the first time. It added a new view and enabled me to see the excellent work that has been done to the middle area where the press and dignitaries sit, albeit from 50m. A project for arts scholars perhaps?
After an hour a cross saw the tiny keeper have second thoughts when he saw the size of Thammasat’s Shinawatra Prachuabmon whose half-hearted scoop went over the custodian and just over the line. A low curling shot seventeen minutes from time from the same player rounded off the scoring.
The referee was very keen to show multiple yellow cards before turning down the most nailed on penalty I have seen for a long time as his performance then went downhill, something the local youngsters weren’t slow in mentioning. One of them surely has a future career in stand up, the way he harangued the official as everyone roared with laughter.
Thammasat changed keepers, as the one who stood there for most of the game might as well as being revising for exams, so little did he have to do. The new lad fumbled a free kick with his first touch, but the defender who tapped in the rebound was adjudged to be offside. Their number 8 then saw the keeper make a fine low save.
Enjoyable as ever, I took the forty-minute walk from Minburi Market, which included a stop by the Saen Saen Canal as I knew that testing was in operation for the hopefully soon to be opened MRT Pink Line monorail. I managed to put a short video together.
Home via a songthaew and bus, including me trying to use the Google translate camera on the front of vehicles to see their destinations with most written in local language. It took me half an hour longer before arriving for my tea. All part of the fun of learning in a foreign land!
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