Match Report
Thai League 2
7 February 2024
Krabi FC 1 Chiang Mai FC 0
Chiang Mai FC
Fahas
Nattayot
Alef
Nukoolkit
Sarawut
Posri
Panyawat
Jakkapan
Tawan
Chitchanok
Somroeng
Midweek games at 6pm do little to encourage supporters. There were just three Chiang Mai fans in a crowd of just 183.
Add to that the never ending Krabi roadworks which make access to the stadium challenging.
When they did get to the stadium Krabi FC must have looked at the CMFC team sheet and thought this could be our day. No Stenio or Yoo Byung Soo (injured) No Chappuis or Im ChangKyoon (both suspended).
By half time and with the score still goalless there was a certain inevitability about Krabi taking all three points.
Chitchanok led the CMFC line with Tawan and Somroeng (preferred to Amornthep) as the wide players.
Fahas is in the firing line at present and took a bad knock challenging with Reyes for an early corner; Krabi’s only corner of the first half.
Chiang Mai dominated the remainder of the first half. Sarawut and Somroeng combined on the right side to chip the ball towards Tawan in space near the penalty spot. Tawan lifted the ball over the full back, Atipol, who turned and grabbed Tawan’s shirt hauling the forward to the ground.
It is hard to imagine a more clear cut penalty but neither the referee nor linesman, both appearing to be well positioned, were interested.
In Stenio’s absence who would have taken the penalty?
Chitchanok then beat a confused Reyes with some ease on the left side of the penalty area; he stepped inside Rodrigues but his shot towards the far post was turned away for a corner by Panupan.
Jakkapan’s low pass into the penalty area allowed Tawan once again to turn around Atipol. While his shirt stayed on his left foot shot hit the base of the far post.
With half time approaching Somroeng’s low shot from distance was saved by Panupan and cleared for another corner.
The second half was, other than the goal, a turgid 45 minutes. Rodrigues was rock solid in defense. Panupan claimed the balls pumped forward into the penalty area. Atipol was at last booked for a foul on Tawan. The only booking of the game.
Akarawin replaced Somroeng; Suchanon replaced Chitchanok. Neither could make an impact.
Then, with 76 minutes gone, Kridsada sent in a hopeful cross from left midfield. Rather than clearing the ball Nukoolkit sliced it up in the air towards the corner of the six yard box where Sarawut’s (99) volley beat Fahas low at his near post. It was, from memory, their only on target shot of the game.
Devoid of ideas and inspiration CMFC huffed and puffed but could not find an equalizer.
It was Krabi’s first home win of the season. Their only other win was away at Kasetsart. Under coach Anon Bandasak they looked organised albeit limited. The 1-6 drubbing last weekend at NakhonSi United already forgotten.
While Krabi still look doomed to relegation their fans will have enjoyed this win.
For Chiang Mai this was a third successive away defeat under the new coach; worth noting that the two previous coaches this season each had three defeats between them.
CMFC make the short trip from Krabi to Nakhon Si Thammarat for a 6.30pm kick off on Sunday 11th February. While CMFC still look good for a play off place a win on Sunday is needed to stay in the race for automatic promotion. NakhonSi are unbeaten at home this season.