Brazilian Back on Ball After Bangkok Bike Bash

Some good news for Port fans today as we head into a short burst of footballing activity before the next mid-season break: top scorer Josimar Rodrigues, who was recently sidelined after picking up a leg injury as the result of a motorbike accident, is now back in training:

Josi was with the rest of the squad at their training camp in Nakhon Ratchasima, and should be in contention for a place in the Port squad to face Ayutthaya Utd in the League Cup on 26 July – the first of four games in eleven days. In his absence, Kaludjerovic has deputised pretty well scoring two goals in three games; however Kalu is a goal poacher, not a lone striker, and if Zico intends to persist with Port’s tried & tested 4-5-1 formation, Josi is the only striker at the club capable of spearheading the attack.

Personally, for the cup games at least, I’d like to see a 4-4-2 with Josi & Kalu playing together as I think the two would make a very effective partnership, but thus far Zico has shown little appetite for changing the formation that has worked pretty well most of the season.

Anyway, welcome back Josi, and hope to see you pulling on the hallowed orange & blue/black & grey/yellow & blue shirt at Ayutthaya next Wednesday.

Tim Russell

The founder and editor of The Sandpit, Tim has been in SE Asia since 2003 and in Bangkok since 2012, where he runs a travel tech business. Tim has followed Port FC since 2014, and is also a fan of his hometown club Coventry City, and French club AS St-Etienne. He has written for the likes of Football365, ITV.com, NME and The Quietus, and is a regular contributor to God Is In the TV. He's a keen photographer and his work can be seen on his website.