Thai League 2 – 2022-2023
Sunday 21 August 2022
Chiang Mai FC 0 Nakhon Pathom United 0
Chiang Mai FC:
Kiadtiphon
Sarawut
Veljko
Suwannaphat
Stewart
Ronnayod
Phosri
Pongrawit
Srithai
Stenio Jnr
Tawan
The Lanna Tigers and King Tigers failed to live up to the implied threat in their names on Sunday night. The game at Chiang Mai’s municipal stadium ending in a battling stalemate.
Chiang Mai made just one change from last weekend’s outing to Ranong with Pongrawit replacing Phommin in midfield.
Anukorn’s long throws were the main weapon for the visitors; after ten minutes the Chiang Mai defense could only half clear one such throw and Abdolreza chipped the ball back into the penalty area. The Chiang Mai defense had moved forward as one and Chegini was at least a yard offside before heading the ball past Kiadtiphon.
Chiang Mai started to threaten down both flanks; Pongrawit’s cross just eluding Tawan before Tawan pulled a ball back to the edge of the penalty area where Saharat Phosri’s touch took the ball away from Stenio Junior and the chance was lost.
Nakhon Pathom’s best work was coming from their left side. Nergaard was unable to control a lovely pass on the edge of the Chiang Mai penalty area. There was little threat to the Chiang Mai goal.
Into injury time at the end of the first half and Tawan’s close range shot was well saved at his near post by Wattanachai. It was the only save made by either goalkeeper in the first half as an occasionally feisty game broke down in the final thirds of the pitch.
CMFC replaced Srithai with Gustavsson at the start of the second half. Chiang Mai started in a lively manner. Pongrawit’s long range free kick should have been an easy catch for Wattanachai; he spilled the catch and was saved by a fine block by Chegini to deny the onrushing Suwannaphat and Veljko.
As a side note Nakhon Pathom’s two Iranian centre halfs had strong games. Chegini was excellent.
Chiang Mai’s best move of the match started wide right with Gustavsson holding up the ball for Tawan who found Stenio in midfield. Stenio’s fabulous pass off the outside of his right foot was inch perfect for the run of Pongrawit behind the full back. Pongrawit’s second touch was very heavy – allowing the goalkeeper to rush from his line and make the block.
Meanwhile Kiadtiphon had to make a save from Phithack’s long range free kick pushing the ball away for a corner.
Sajjaporn replaced Phithack for the visitors and he was to make an appreciable difference always offering an outlet and control down the left side. Nakhon Pathom had started to play some very measured possession football.
Bo Yong Kim replaced Tawan. His main impact appeared to be making Stenio Junior play even deeper; Stenio Junior had a lively first half but made little impact later in the game; he is not going to score when he is collecting the ball deep in his own half.
Suwit also got a welcome late run in place of Pongrawit.
For the visitors Supatep’s low cross from the right side evaded everyone, and the far post.
Sajjaporn released Nergaard on the left side; the big forward’s cross deserved better than the badly misjudged header from Supatep as he found space between the Chiang Mai center halfs.
As the match entered three minutes of injury time Gustavsson headed wide from Stewart’s right wing cross.
And that was it. A goal-less draw that will have pleased Nakhon Pathom more than the home side who would have liked a winning start in front of an excellent crowd of 1,831.
Chiang Mai FC play at Uthai Thani next Friday – 26 August – kick off at 6pm. And then travel to Nakhon Si United on 4 September.
The next CMFC home game Is against Rayong FC on Saturday 10 September.