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In the Dock: Andy’s All-Time Worst Port XI

 

So, my ‘best of’ team was truly awesome, a team I am sure that absolutely everyone will agree with, without any hint of disagreement, as the internet is known as a place where people never needlessly quibble with each other or viciously name call over the slightest divergence and is such a wonderful realm of harmony and mutual respect. So, with that agreed I am sure that everyone will be as equally agreeable with my selection for a worst 11. Again some of you who know me may be suspecting that the team could quite possibly have consisted of just one player; Kim Ba-We. And I am sure it would have been equally (I want to say) entertaining (but it probably wouldn’t be) to have witnessed its sheer scale of dumbfoundedness and hilarity. Maybe it would have been something like this; Ba-We misplaces a pass, and Ba-We makes no effort to regain possession, now the opposing player effortlessly rounds Ba-We in defence and shoots at goal where Ba-We in goal is hopelessly out of position and dives in the wrong direction, that makes it 32-0 now with just 15 minutes played. But like my best of team, Ba-We will be joined by 10 other equally inept, hopeless, talentless never-weres and squad fillers.

This team will be based on a more oddball, team chasing a game setup of 4-2-4 formation, this is to make room for all of the awful strikers we have had inflicted upon us in the name of incoherent squad construction, personal arrogance, and the pursuit of silverware.

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The Portlist 8: You Can Teach ’em to Type…

 

1 (5) Kim Sung Hwan

Well, well, well. He’s made it. Kim started off inconsistently, was plain poor for a while but recently has been Port’s best player in most of the key games, and is one of very few real leaders on the pitch. The emergence of Anon has given him the freedom to push further forward, and he’s added goals and assists to his (at the moment) excellent passing game. It’s just a shame that most of his teammates haven’t shown up to give him a hand.

2 (1) Sergio Suarez

Suarez has not quite been himself after returning from injury, and is now set for another spell on the sidelines. Nevertheless, the performances and results with him in the team are so much better than the performances and results without him that he simply has to be near the top. Suarez’ stats per game are second to none in the Port squad, but he has managed just 19 starts in 2018. That’s a real concern.

3 (2) Dragan Boskovic

Boskovic’s season looks like it’s going to be one excellent and prolific run of form sandwiched between two underwhelming and barren runs of form. Nevertheless, it’s hard to make an argument that many other players are more key to Port’s success this season than Dragan. His numbers are the best of any Port striker since Leandro (20 goals and 10 assists in all competitions), and if he plays well and scores another 6 or 7 goals, Port will likely finish third.

4 (4) Kevin Deeromram

One thing that has been more or less constant throughout all of the formation changes in recent weeks is how reliant Port are on Kevin. Without him the left hand side is a disaster. He has played left back, left wing back and left wing in recent weeks, and no matter what Jadet does with the team, you can be sure Kevin will be a key part of it. That was a peach of a cross on Sunday, too!

5 (3) David Rochela

El Capitan is starting to slip down the Portlist. It’s not just the own-goal on Wednesday – that could have happened to anyone – but rather the feeling that the Spaniard has been at fault for more goals of late than we’re used to seeing. If Port go on another spending spree this off-season then, unlike in previous seasons, surely other options in central defence are going to be explored.

6 (26) Anon Samakorn

The very big winner of this Portlist, and the biggest single jump yet. Boy did I underestimate this youngster when I dismissively dropped him in at number 26! To be fair I hadn’t seen him play yet. Having been in a Port B squad and been an unused substitute for the first team it looked like Anon was going to be making up the numbers until next season, but Jadet flipped the script on us and showed surprising faith in his new midfielder. Anon repaid that faith with smart, solid performances on the four occasions he has been called on. You’ll notice that he’s risen higher than Adisorn and Siwakorn, and should now be considered Port’s best Thai midfielder.

7 (6) Nitipong Selanon

Excellent assist for Port’s only goal on Wednesday, and an all-action display on Sunday, too. He’s back from suspension, and much like Kevin his stock can only have risen in the formation reshuffle. He’s most definitely Port’s best right full back and right wing back.

8 (7) Elias Dolah

Dolah has gone from strength to strength since he finally cemented his place in the team, and only drops a place because of the arrival of Anon. The errors have become less frequent, and he even picked out a 50 yard pass that Kim would have been proud of on Wednesday. I wouldn’t have thought that he’d have been within three places of his central defensive partner on the Portlist a few months ago, that’s for sure. Keep it up, big fella!

9 (9) Rattanai Songsangchan

A sustained run of fitness has, as we thought, led to Rattanai getting back to something like his best form. There are still nagging issues though, like communication with the centre backs and distribution, which prevent him rising higher for now. Oh, and he’s only gone and got injured again!

10 (11) Pakorn Prempak

Pakorn is still in the first XI, but only because Nurul is injured, Bodin isn’t productive enough and the 5-3-2 experiment seems to have ended in failure. He looked rubbish in the first half on Wednesday when he was playing more centrally, but Port will be going back to his and Jadet’s favoured 4-2-3-1 for the rest of the season, meaning that Pakorn will keep grinding out the assists and popping up with the odd goal form the right wing. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I feel like Pakorn is lazier now than he’s ever been for Port, and that’s saying something. With his ability and productivity he should be at number 5 or higher at all times, but with the current level of effort and teamwork, I just can’t bring myself to put him above hard workers like Kevin, Nitipong, Anon and Dolah. Cracking free kick on Sunday, though. Pick that out!

11 (10) Siwakorn Jakkuprasart

He’s still hanging in there in the first XI, but only just, based on the fact that he offers more creatively than the other midfield options, although this doesn’t translate in to goals or assists nearly enough. He certainly isn’t in there because of his shooting, although he unleashed a surprisingly threatening attempt on the Buriram goal on Wednesday.

12 (8) Adisorn Daeng-rueng

He’s flying up and down the Portlist much as he flew up and down Port’s right flank against Bangkok United, showing his versatility by playing right wing back in Nitipong’s absence. Unfortunately he had the same problem on the flank that he has through the middle: the fact that he’s just not a very good footballer. I’m reminded of a quote from Charlie Wilson’s War about hiring secretaries: “You can teach ‘em to type, but you can’t teach ‘em to have big tits.” Adisorn is an enthusiastic typist, but doesn’t and never will have the tits to be Port’s first choice defensive midfielder, although he will continue to be a crucial squad player. Currently out for roughly a month with an unspecified injury.

13 (13) Todsapol Lated

Had an absolute shocker on Wednesday. Lost his marker, who scored from the early corner, then less than a minute later panicked after an admittedly poor ball from Kim and gave Buriram an easy second goal which turned out to be decisive. Most definitely third choice centre back, which after Port return to 4-2-3-1 means a place back on the bench.

14 (14) Worawut Srisupha

Had been getting regular games with Port still in the cups, but Rattanai was called on when things got serious. Will only see more action if Rattanai’s injury keeps him out until after the break.

15 (12) Bodin Phala

The more Bodin continues to look promising but produce nothing the more places he will lose. Has either started or been subbed on in almost every single game, but rarely makes a decisive difference.

16 (16) Arthit Butjinda

Just when you’d forgotten about him after a few weeks on the sidelines, Arthit showed us what we’d been missing in his absence. Decent flick-ons and hold up play with the odd horrific touch thrown in, and a completely unpredictable mash-up of the good, the bad and ugly in front of goal. He was desperately unlucky not to get Port back in tot he game with a textbook striker’s finish with his weaker foot on Wednesday, but was denied by the superb Siwarak, T1 player of the month for July.

17 (18) Panpanpong Pinkong

He’s not gaining a place because he’s any good, just because with Kevin getting significant game-time at left wing in recent weeks, he occasionally slots in at left back. Now injured, but should be back by the end of the break.

18 (15) Terens Puhiri

Only just hanging on to a place in the matchday squad right now. It’s been a while since Flash has touched the ball. Boooo.

19 (17) Chakrit Rawanprakone

His performance at right wing back looked almost like a left winger playing in a completely alien defensive position. Funny, that. His abysmal finish against Bangkok United betrays a player who is just not of the required caliber.

20 (19) Worawut Namvech

Currently in the Thailand under 23 Asian Games squad, where he can expect to get a whole lot more action than he has done in 2018 for Port. I expect that he’ll return to parent club Chiang Rai without registering another competitive minute of Port action.

21 (21) Nurul Sriyankem

We’ve really missed his pace and directness. Will hopefully be fit by the time the August break is mercifully over with.

22 (20) Somprasong Promsorn

Needs a decent run-out to show off his skills. He brought out some pretty tidy touches during the half time kick-about on Wednesday, but that’s just about all I have to go on for now!

23 (23) Sammy Slot

He’s consistently making match day squads at the moment, but hasn’t been given the chance to show us what he can do yet.

24 (22) Pummared Kladkleep

A move back to the second or third tier is the only thing that is going to get Pummared back on the pitch. There are simply too many better midfielders at Port.

25 (29) Jetjinn Sriprach

With Panpanpong injured he was on the bench on Sunday. How exciting!

26 (24) Watchara Buathong

There is absolutely nothing interesting going on in the world of Watchara nowadays, so here’s a video of one of his raps. W-Hot in da house!

27 (25) Chanayut Jejue

Back in the Port B squad after Arthit’s return to fitness and Sammy Slot’s arrival.

28 (27) Sarawin Phakdeekan

Likewise back with Port B after the defensive crisis abated.

29 (28) Chaowala Sriarwut

I’ve opened a couple of the pretty awful Facebook live feeds showing recent Port B games and seen poor old central midfielder Chaowala – Port B’s top scorer – playing left back. What a waste.

30 (RE) Danudet Treemongkonchok

Port B’s captain scored a rare goal in T4 on the weekend. He’s dispensed with the man bun too, which helps.

31 (30) Anipong Kijkam

If only I had a rap by Port’s fourth choice goalkeeper to show you. Then again, Anipong actually plays football every now and then so I guess he has better things to do!

99 (99) Tana Chanabut

 

 

Now, I may be the sort of person who would go in search of a picture of a large erect pink cock in order to juxtapose it with a picture of Tana in his lovely pink shirt for Lolz, but in this case the photo comparison comes from the striker’s own Facebook page. You could at least try and make it hard for us. Erm, wait, no, I didn’t mean like that…

 

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Tom’s Transfer Talk – Mid-Season Roundup

 

OK, so Tom’s Transfer Talk hasn’t been particularly talkative so far this season. It has been a shockingly quiet transfer window by Port’s recent standards, but there have been a fair amount of low-key moves and juicy rumours, so let’s get up to date with exactly what’s been going on at Port in recent weeks.

 

Departures

First and foremost let’s get the bad news out of the way. Despite his exemplary commitment to training and his tenacious attitude on the pitch, Thai national team star and fan favourite Tana Chanabhut has been shockingly allowed to leave PAT Stadium. To add insult to injury, not only are Port being deprived of the services of one of the finest moustaches in world football, the forward has been sold to T2 team Nongbua Pitchaya FC, a side so far below his level I’m shocked he agreed to the move. No, wait a minute…

 

 

HAHAHAAAAA SCREW YOU TANA, YOU OVERRATED, LAZY GOOD-FOR-NOTHING WASTE OF A SQUAD NUMBER! NEVER, EVER, EVER COME BACK!

Ahhh, that’s better. Anyway, Port have also allowed young right-back Meechok Marhasaranukun to move on. After signing from TOT, Meechok broke in to Port’s starting XI in 2016 at the age of just 18, but was displaced by Nitipong at the start of 2017, and has spent the vast majority of the last season and a half on the bench. Now 20, it makes sense for Meechok to move on to a club where he can get more regular football, but surprisingly he has chosen to move to Suphanburi, where he is not expected to be getting an awful lot of playing time, either. Still, we wish Meechok, a good young player with a bright future ahead of him, all the best.

 

 

Port have surprisingly not moved to replace Meechok, so either versatile defensive midfelder Adisorn or left winger Chakrit Rawanprakone are expected to fill in if first choice Nitipong is injured or suspended.

Speaking of versatile central midfielders, Athibordee Atirat has also secured a transfer away from PAT Stadium, although his move is not permanent. Athibordee joins Navy on a 6 month loan, where he is expected to play a key role in midfield. He’ll need to perform miracles to keep Navy up, mind you. This move surprised me a little, as Athibordee had been seeing pretty regular action in midfield and defence, but he is obviously seen as surplus to requirements in the second half of the season.

 

 

There have been some other loan moves too, although it’s mostly players who were already out on loan moving on to different clubs.

Left back Yossawat Montha, who made 9 starts for strugglers Ubon UMT, has moved to Prachuap, where he will compete for a starting berth for 2018’s surprise success story. Unfortunately for Yossawat, he will likely be behind 37 year old Prachuap captain Adul Meunsamaan in the pecking order, whilst former Port teammate Piyachart Tamaphan will also provide competition.

 

 

Bajram Nebihi has also moved on from Chiang Rai, with Chonburi securing his services on loan for the second half of 2018. The big German didn’t strike up much of a partnership with under-performing star player Cleiton Silva, so it is no surprise that ambitious Chiang Rai are looking to rebuild their forward line without Nebihi. It was also no surprise that the player who had such a strong impact for Ubon in 2017 had numerous suitors. Talk of a move to Navy was rife, before he eventually signed for The Sharks.

 

 

Now we starts to get in to the weeds a little. Two players who, as far as I was aware, had already made permanent their moves away from PAT Stadium may still be on the books. It’s of little consequence that Thanakorn Saipunya is still a Port player, as he wasn’t given a squad number and was confined to training with Port B in pre-season. His move to Khon Kaen is apparently only a loan, but he will surely leave on a permanent deal at some point, without getting a sniff of first team action.

 

 

The other player in limbo is midfielder Tatchanon Nakarawong, who everyone including Chonburi seemed to think was a Chonburi player, but is now apparently on loan at Army from Port. Tatchanon arrived at Port from Army a couple of seasons ago, and despite impressing in pre-season was grossly underused by Port before being shipped out on loan to another club where he was very unlikely to see significant game time. Indeed, the youngster played just 7 times for The Sharks. He has finally done the right thing in joining a team where he is likely to be first choice, although with Army recently announced that they will be folding, he will likely have to move on again before long.

 

 

 

Arrivals

Now, I know I said things had been quiet, but I do actually have a couple of confirmed arrivals for you. This could be good…

Port have signed two young players who had been part of King Power’s ‘Fox Hunt’ project. Anon Samakorn and Somprasong Promsorn are the two players in question, and they look pretty promising. Anon, nicknamed Boat, is a 19 year old midfielder who has been on the books at both Leicester City and OH Leuven’s youth setups. Somprasong, nicknamed Toto, is a 21 year old right winger who has also been with both Leicester and Leuven. He looks pretty nifty in this video, playing for Leuven’s under 19 team in a 4-1 victory over Bierbeek, and showing some impressive pace and trickery. The video of Anon’s performance from the same game looks less exciting, although he does notch an assist with a clever through-ball.

 

Anon (l) and Somprasong (r)

 

Both players have been given first team squad numbers, with Anon taking number 20 and Somprasong number 14, although it is thought that both will start out with Port B before joining the big boys.

 

Rumours

Now for the rumours. We’ve been hearing Ratchaburi’s Thai-German right wing back Philip Roller’s name over and over again in recent days. He has been linked with both Port and Muangthong though, in a situation eerily reminiscent of the saga that led to Kevin Deeromram signing for Port. Roller is a superb player, but would find very stiff competition for a place in Port’s team. I do think that he’s a better player than Nitipong, but there’s certainly no guarantee that he would nail down a starting place, whilst his ability to play further forward would be of little value to Port, who already possess a surfeit of right wingers. As much as it pains me to say it, I think a move to the Theatre of Corrugated Iron makes sense for Roller, with Tristan Do having moved on to the wing and midfielder Wattana Plainum currently playing out of position at full-back.

 

 

We also heard numerous rumours that Port’s third choice goalie Watchara Buathong was on the way out, but as far as we know the perennial back-up to the back-up is still kicking around at PAT Stadium. He must like the easy life.

 

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Chainat Hornbill FC 2-1 Port FC

 

After last night’s gutless, embarrassing show by Port at Chainat, I’ve decided to show as much effort, commitment and respect for my audience in this week’s match report as the players did last night. So here it is, accompanied by a pic of two players who, whilst they may not have been as naturally talented as some of the current side, always showed heart and knew what it meant to wear the Port shirt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sandpit Man of the Match: Tana

It was a shock to see that Tana, who appeared to have left the club late last season to become a policeman, was part of yesterday’s matchday squad. It was an insult to underused players like Terens and Bodin that he was brought on ahead of them. And it was an embarrassment to the rest of the team that he was Port’s best player on the night and had our only shot on goal. Millions spent on new players and we’re still relying on Tana? What a joke.

 

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Tom’s Transfer Talk: Tada Tana?

 

 

Port have continued to trim fat from their squad, with two more departures confirmed and one more strongly rumoured. There have also been some interesting developments with the academy, and talk of further arrivals to the full squad, although we have no idea which area of the squad is being earmarked for improvement.

The two confirmed exits were both players who were out on loan for the second half of last season. Tatchanon Nakarawong has made his move to Chonburi permanent, whilst Pinyo Inpinit has been snapped up by Police Tero after his loan spell at Prachuap last season.

 

 

Tatchanon endured a testing 6 months with Port, being consistently overlooked in defensive midfield despite being Port’s best player in that position during pre-season. Ludicrously, he played just 165 minutes for Port in the first half of the season, before securing a deadline-day loan move to Chonburi for whom he played just 211 minutes. At 21, Tatchanon still has a lot of time to break in to The Sharks’ first team, but I can’t help thinking that he may have been better served joining a weaker team where he would have more chance of starting games. Nevertheless, we wish him the best in his quest for first team football in 2018.

 

 

Pinyo’s time at Port also has to go down as very unfortunate. He arrived at Port from Police alongside Pakorn, and both were expected to be key figures in Port’s 2016 promotion campaign. Whereas Pakorn made an immediate impact, Pinyo suffered a serious injury and incredibly failed to make a single appearance in the league for the next 2 seasons. Despite returning to fitness a few times, injury always struck before Pinyo could fight his way back in to the team, although in the second half of 2017 he did manage a handful of games for Prachuap. The Killer Wasps didn’t make the deal permanent, but Police Tero swooped in and will take a gamble on the former Thai international, ending his unhappy spell at PAT Stadium.

 

 

It has also been announced that Port will be fielding a ‘B’ team in T4 next season, which will give Port’s academy players a chance to test themselves against seasoned pros. Along with this announcement, Port also unveiled a promising youngster who will be joining the youth setup next season. Chaowala Sriarwut, nicknamed Arm, impressed for Ratchawinit Bang Khen School in 2017, played for Bangkok Glass under 19s in the Coke Cup and has agreed to join Port’s youth setup for the 2018 season.

 

 

The last piece of news is a bit of a Sandpit Exclusive, as Port defender Elias Dolah let it slip in his interview with us that the man who “doesn’t take things seriously at all” has “left Port for sure.” After enjoying an extended holiday – which apparently his teammates weren’t aware of – Tana returned to training with about as much urgency as he shows while tracking back on the pitch, and is not expected to remain with Port in 2018. We have reported a few times about rumours linking him to hometown club Khonkaen FC, who have been spreading some money around in an attempt to secure a second successive promotion, but there is no further news on that front. The moment when Tana is unveiled by another club and I get to finally press that ‘Bin’ button on his player profile can’t come soon enough!

 

 

The speculation about yet more new arrivals is based on comments from Madame Pang which suggest that she will consider bringing in reinforcements if the right player becomes available. Bringing in another forward would certainly seem to be a wise move, whilst defensive cover may also be an option worth considering.

 

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Tom’s Transfer Talk: Bodin Well

 

Port returned to training on Wednesday, which means we can now definitively confirm a few more transfers.

Bodin Phala has become the third winger to sign for Port in this transfer window, meaning that competition for places is really going to be heating up in pre-season between Pakorn and new boys Bodin, Nurul and Chakrit. Bodin signs from champions Buriram, but has a surprising Port connection from his youth. Bodin played for Port Futsal Club as a teenager in 2013, and from there made the switch to football with Rangsit. He was quickly spotted by Bangkok Glass where he soon became a regular, after which he was signed by Chiang Rai and then Buriram. Port are believed to have paid about 7 million baht for Bodin, who broke in to the national team alongside fellow new signing Nurul in the last couple of years.

 

 

Kim Sung-Hwan – whose signing we were first to announce what seems like ages ago – has also been seen at training, and taken his obligatory photo with Madame Pang. We were starting to worry that no one else seemed to be mentioning Port’s new Korean defensive midfielder, but they caught up with us eventually and reported his free transfer from Ulsan Hyundei in the last few days.

 

 

Port have also finally been linked with an ASEAN player, suggesting that they may intend to bring in a player to fill the newest part of the 3+1+1 quota. An 18 year old Burmese player was been spotted wearing the number 15 shirt at training, although he is as yet nameless and we’re not sure what position he plays. We will let you know more about this when we do!

 

 

We also have a couple of confirmed departures, neither of which are at all surprising. Central defender Anisong Chareantham, whose number 15 shirt our new Burmese friend is wearing, has moved to Nong Bua Pitchaya, where he will play alongside former Port left back Suchon next season. Lost boy and reported central midfielder Siwapong Jarernsin has also moved on after an unsuccessful spell in Khlong Toei where he did a pretty poor job impersonating a professional footballer.

 

Anisong Chareantham (l) and Siwpong Jarernsin (r)

 

When it comes to gossip, not much has changed in the hunt for a foreign striker since Monday’s Transfer Talk, although we have seen one very optimistic addition to Port’s star-studded wish-list. It seems very much like Port are still in the frame to sign superstars Jaja Coelho and Dragan Boskovic, and the most recent addition is former Muangthong striker Cleiton Silva, who has being banging in goals for fun in Thailand for years. His success earned him a big move to China, where he has continued to perform well, netting 17 times in 26 games for Shanghai Shenxin. File this one under ‘speculative’. No progress appears to have been made with Jaja or Boskovic, who are the targets Port are really working on bringing in.

On the exit front there are a couple of new rumours, such as promising talk linking Tana with Khonkaen FC, who have just been promoted to T2. Last year they spent big on foreign players Romain Gasmi and Darko Tasevski, so it seems within the realms of possibility that they are willing to pay Tana’s substantial wage demands to bring him back to a level more suited to his abilities.

 

 

Elias Dolah has also been linked with a move to Bangkok Glass, who tried to sign him when he came to Port. Our source says that Port have received several offers for Dolah, but he will be staying where he is. With their lack of depth at the back, Port should certainly be loath to consider letting Dolah go, as he was first choice centre half for the vast majority of 2017.

Finally, Wuttichai and Piyachart have repeatedly been linked with moves away from PAT Stadium, and it seems likely that both will be moving on before too long. Piyachart may be holding out for a T1 offer, as he had a successful loan spell with Ubon in the second half of 2017, but Wuttichai will likely settle for a T2 berth at his hometown club Sisaket. The Sandpit will be eagerly anticipating the 0-0 draw that is virtually guaranteed when striking legends Wuttichai and Tana face off in T2 next season. That’s if either of them can get a game in T2.

 

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Tom’s Transfer Talk: Nebihi, or not Nebihi?

 

Transfer season is well and truly upon us, and unsurprisingly rumours are aplenty. The latest gossip has had Port signing a 12-goal midfielder, whilst teetering on the brink of losing a star player. But don’t panic everyone… Tana’s probably staying!

We start with the exciting news that Bajram Nebihi is being strongly linked with a move to PAT Stadium. The big Ubon attacking midfielder was integral in his team’s electric start to the season, scoring 5 times in his first 4 games, and he ended the season with 12 goals and 2 assists in the league, despite falling a little out of favour and completing 90 minutes just 4 times in the second half of the season.

 

 

29 year old Nebihi hails from Germany, but was born in Kosovo. The nomadic European played for 11 clubs across Germany, Turkey, Finland and Iran before being signed by Ubon in 2017. He is a big, strong player – 1.94m or 6 foot 4 – and that extra height and aerial ability could be just what Port’s attack needs in 2018. My only concern with this rumour is how exactly Port intend to use the big man. He performed best at Ubon playing ‘in the hole’ behind a striker, although he was used up front a few times too. If he is being touted as a replacement for Suarez in attacking midfield then I think he is probably an upgrade on the Spaniard, but he certainly isn’t a natural striker, and if he’s being signed as one then Port could be making a mistake. Thus, even if he is signed, the search for a Scary Foreign Striker should continue, although an even more pressing concern for Port has been the future of their main provider, the 18-assist dead-ball-machine himself…

Yes, the man who has been dominating the rumour mill over the last few days is our very own Pakorn Prempak. Fresh from coming third in The Sandpit’s player of the year poll – making him Port’s best performing Thai player of 2017 – Pakorn had been repeatedly linked with a move back to his old club Police Tero. Quite why Pakorn would want to make a backwards move to a club who finished below Port in the league was beyond me, but the most recent stories thankfully seem to suggest that Pakorn had been using the interest of his former club to coax a better contract offer out of Port.

 

 

SMM Sport reported that Jadet also weighed in yesterday, reminding Police that the Midfield Monk still has a year remaining on his contract and would not be going anywhere just yet. If Pakorn has indeed been using his former club as leverage to get a pay-rise then we can’t say we blame him. Pakorn, nicknamed Bas, has become Port’s most important Thai player in 2017, and his contract should probably reflect that. With Jadet having stood by his man and made his position clear, the club have now had to show that they are serious about backing him, and keeping Port’s star players. News has just now emerged that Pakorn has got what he wanted and joined El Capitan in signing a brand spanking new contract, so the Port fan groups’ #savebas hashtag can now be put to rest!

Tied in to the same SMM Sport article is a similar if as yet  not concluded story about Tana. Port’s erstwhile non-impact substitute is apparently also of interest to Police Tero, where he played for 4 years before joining Port. Incredibly, Tana banged in 25 goals in 2015, making him equal top-scorer in T2. What on earth happened?! Unfortunately, Tana also still has one year remaining on his contract and Jadet has issued the same ‘hands-off’ statement about the Karaoke Kid is he did about the Midfield Monk. Oh, well, swings and roundabouts…

 

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Port Shafted by Rampant Rabbits: Port FC 0-3 Bangkok Glass FC

 

The start of the game saw Port lining up in an orthodox 4-4-2. It was a relatively bright start for Port with Pakorn (9) enjoying a lot of space down the right side of the pitch in the early knockings. The first chance fell to Port after Pakorn whipped a ball into the box and the Glass defence failed to clear effectively. Genki was the eventual recipient, narrowly curling the ball over the top right corner.

A few minutes later came more joy on the right, with an overhit cross finding the head of Genki at the back post but he couldn’t keep his header down. It was clear that the Port objective was to get as many balls into the box as possible and pray that one will eventually land on the head of Josimar. Big J showed early on that he would be a threat in the air, winning the majority of aerial battles from goal kicks when targeted.

 

Pre-match optimism was sadly short-lived (Tim Russell)

 

There was an exciting period of play just after the half hour mark with Port advancing methodically up the pitch, accumulating in a divine chipped through ball into the box. It was just a same the recipient, Meechok (20), got caught in a Theresa May-style condundrum (don’t mention that woman’s name on this site! Ed), unsure of whether to elect to shoot or cross… after changing his mind what appeared to be exactly 72 times in the 1 second he had to react, he decided to gently knock the ball into the willing arms of the Glass keeper. The Glass keeper then launched the ball forward to an open Glass striker who had half of the pitch and the Port keeper between him and the goal. Worawut produced an inspired save after narrowing down the angle quickly.

From the resulting corner we got a preview of how Glass would break the deadlock after multiple Port clearances failed to get out of their own box. It took the experienced, calm head of the ever-present Rochela to finally clear the ball away.

A few minutes later Rochela put in a last ditch challenge to prevent a possible Glass scoring opportunity. The corner that followed can only be described as comical.. truly comical. No word of a lie…I think every Port player touched the ball at some point in a pinball-like sequence which eventually lead to an opportunistic Glass attacker volleying home in emphatic fashion. An inability to clear the ball was once again Port’s downfall. #IfInDangerDoALongRanger

Just before the break Port had a free kick about 25 yards out to the left hand side of the goal. The ball was struck well with a solid technique, swirling up and over the wall and just evading the bottom left post.

HT – Beer, Popcorn, Meat on a Stick (can’t be specific on what meat…so we will leave it at meat.)

Josi’s new striking partner (Joe Kheng)

The second half started with pure drama, waking the crowd up from their half time food comas. A dog invaded the pitch, and started a Benny Hill-style scene of calamitous security work, who failed to stop this evasive dog. It’s a shame the Port strikers didn’t have the same agility when making their forward runs this evening.

Back to the game…

Just after the hour mark Port were presented with a golden opportunity to level the score. After some nifty work by Tana (99) on the left wing, the ball was drilled low and hard across the face of goal. The whole of the A stand gasped in amazement when Suarez (5) managed to make contact with the cross but not direct it goalwards, with his effort fizzing out for a throw in. Chances like this have to be converted in the future if Port want to continue their bid for survival. This would have completely changed the complexion of the game, as Port really were on top at this point.

Glass then shamefully started with the common Thai timewasting tactics. A Glass player went down clasping his head after a collision with his own teammate and it took the magic sponge, spray, cold compress and a ride on a stretcher before he was finally able to stand up. Thankfully the injury gods were kind to him and he managed to play the rest of the game seemingly unharmed. Hallelujah. A fantastic tribute to Jesus this close to Easter, majestically rising from what looked like certain death.

Big J Unit then started getting into the game a bit more, first finding space in the box and heading wide. Then latching onto the end of a chipped through ball, powering his way between the Glass centre backs, who just did enough to put him off as his shot was toed into the grateful arms of the keeper. Either side of him and with a bit more power and it would have been a goal…but I guess that logic could apply to any shot!

 

The sun sets on Port’s hopes of a win (Tim Russell)

 

From here Port continued to pour men forward and persisted with filling the box with crosses. This looked like it would eventually pay dividends, but unfortunately in the 75th minute the game was out of reach. Glass executed the perfect RCA (Rapid Counter Attack) and Rochela was left wrong footed, bamboozled by a dazzling Ronaldo chop, before the Glass striker stroked the ball into the bottom left corner passed the outstretched arm of the keeper.

There wasn’t to be a Plan B for Port and balls continued to fly into the box with the hope of being met by J Unit’s head. It isn’t the worst idea in the world, but the crosses lacked quality and accuracy, often easily cleared or collected by the keeper.

Glass scored again. I will be completely honest, I didn’t see the goal. But I’m pretty confident in saying it was from a counter attack.

 

Tim’s Man of the Match

Not too many contenders for the MOTM award this week. Siwakorn was his usual all-action self, including the usual booking (which rules him out of Sunday’s trip to Sukhothai); and Josimar worked hard up front but was left feeding off scraps most of the time. The dog put in a fine second half cameo performance but lacked the stamina to have a significant impact on the game.

 

Port’s DOTM enjoying a post-match treat (Tim Russell)

 

So this week’s MOTM award goes to supersub Tana, a player of whom I am not normally a fan, who came on around the hour mark and almost changed the game by bringing a welcome burst of energy and creativity down Port’s left. Had Suarez made more of an effort to get to his excellent 65th minute cross, it would have been 1-1 with the momentum in Port’s favour. When we met Josimar on Monday he told us that Tana sees himself more of a left-winger, and whilst we scoffed, last night’s performance suggested he may have a future there after all.

 

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Lions Fail to Digest Raging Mackerels: Port FC 2-2 Samut Songkhram (Friendly)

 

Port were held to a surprising draw by T2 side Samut Songkhram. Despite being in 8th place in T2, the Raging Mackerels made a good account of themselves, although from early on in the game it looked as though Port may win by a convincing margin.

Jadet chose to start with something very close to his starting XI. Worawut (36) started his second game in a row between the sticks, still deputizing for first choice ‘keeper Rattanai (17) who is just now returning to Khlong Toei after helping the Thai Under 23 team lift the Dubai Cup. In defence, Meechok (20) and Panpanpong (19) retained their starting places at full-back, and Dolah (4) came back in to the side at the expense of the injured Todspol (6) to partner Rochela (22). Adisorn (13) was once again given the nod in central midfield where he partnered Siwakorn (16), with Suarez (5) and Josimar (30) ahead of them charged with leading the attack. Pakorn (9) continued on the right wing, and at left wing Jadet gave Genki (18) a chance to impress and make the spot his own.

It took Genki just 6 minutes to open the scoring, but it was the intricate move to set up the chance that was most impressive. Meechok made an enterprising run forward which was picked out well by Pakorn. Meechok had the presence of mind to pull the ball back to Josimar on the penalty spot, and rather than shooting Josimar nudged it out wide to Genki, who showed composure to side-foot it home with his right foot.

Port were playing well and attacking at will, but The Mackerels came raging back just 3 minutes later, swimming against the tide to score a fine goal on the break. The ball came forward through the centre of the park, and a particularly irate Mackerel struck a pinpoint finish right in to the bottom left hand corner which Worawut at full stretch couldn’t quite reach.

After the equalizer the game seemed to slow down, with Port allowing their opponents a foot hold in the game. Surprisingly, the ‘first half’  came to a close after just 30 minutes, indicating that it was going to be one of those games with 3 periods rather than 2 halves. Excellent preparation for the next T1 game, I’m sure you’ll agree.

At least Port did stick with the majority of the first choice team in the second period, although Tana (99) came on for Genki (18) on the left and Piyachat (88) replaced Suarez (5) in attacking midfield. Whilst Piyachat played a more withdrawn role than the bombastic Suarez, Tana was far more attack-minded that the man he replaced, looking threatening from the moment he came on.

It would be The Mackerels who struck first in the second period, though. A chipped through-ball from inside the area struck a Port arm, and despite the defender not seeming to know much about it, the referee pointed to the spot. Another onlooker who must have had his goggles on informed me later that it was most definitely ball-to-fin. Regardless, the now not-quite-so-uppity Mackerels took the lead for the first time. although Worawut very nearly kept the low strike out.

Port began to raise their game, with Tana (99) in particular looking to make something happen very time he got the ball. Tana was having mackerel on toast every time he got the ball, and it was no surprise when he dropped his shoulder a couple of times to lose his defender and curled in a stunning finish in to the top right corner. The strike was reminiscent of the stunning free-kick that earned him third place in The Sandpit’s Goal of the Season competition in 2016. It’s Goal 7 if you want to relive the moment with Kenny’s fantastic video!

With the scores level, Port started to reel their opponents in. Josimar (30) had a header from point blank range kept out by a combination of post and defender, then Kaluderovic (10), who replaced the Brazilian midway through the period, suffered a very similar fate. Port could not find the breakthrough, though, and the second period came to an end with the scores still level at 2-2.

In the third period Jadet reverted to type, picking an entirely different XI to play out the final 30 minutes. The only interesting selection was Hansson (33), who was again given a chance to play right back, where he looked lively. The rest of the game was largely uneventful, meaning that The Raging Mackerels claimed a creditable draw at PAT Stadium, whereas Port will be slightly disappointed that they made such a meal of their lower league opponents.

As Port will experience next week, there’s always a bigger fish, and the visit of Ubon UMT to PAT Stadium on Monday will provide a much sterner test than The Raging Mackerels.

Port FC Man of the Match

It was a battle for the starting berth on the left wing, and although both found the back of the net, Tana impressed more than Genki on the night. Tana dribbled, passed, crossed and finished with aplomb, creating uncertainty in the opposition defence and exploiting it with a stunning finish that would undoubtedly be a contender for Goal of the Season if it had been scored in a competitive game.

 

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The Season So Far: The Pit Pundits’ Picks

 

Following my recent review of the season so far, the Sandpit team got together and selected our highlights of the first six games – best player, best match, best goal. Here are our choices – feel free to share yours in the comments or on Facebook.

 

Dominick Cartwright

 

Best Player: Rattanai (17)

Not my first choice for keeper at the start of the season. I would have gone with Worawut (36). But Rattanai has proved me wrong, and Tom right. Even in our dismal away games he has offered a sterling last line of defence. Those dismal defeats could have been even worse. He’s really shown his mettle not letting his head drop in defeat, and being there to shore up the points when we have a chance at some.

Also Keith has come up with a song for him, so I want him starting every game to give us a chance to sing a new song:

Rattanai’s in the goal, what is he gonna do?

Rattanai’s in the goal, what is he gonna do?

He’s gonna save that shot, That’s what he’s gonna do

He’s gonna save that shot

 

(To the tune of Rat in me Kitchen by UB40)

 

Best Match: Suphanburi Home (3-2)

Why do I love football? It’s unscripted drama. If you wrote this game as a script, it would not be convincing at all, just not realistic enough. 1-0 up and the Port faithful are celebrating 3 points already. Then the home crowd are stunned by 2 Suphan goals. Then Tana’s great equaliser. (See best goal pick for a description). Then my favourite moment of the game – all the other players were celebrating the excellent equaliser, meanwhile Suarez was running to the net, he picked up the ball and brought it back to the centre circle for the restart. He wasn’t happy with 1 point; he wanted the win. Then the man who has shown he wants it most, steps up and gets the winner. You couldn’t write a better ending.
 
 

 
 

Best Goal: Tana vs Suphanburi

Tana (99) is not everyone’s favourite striker; he has his faults. But for me I’d give him 45 minutes of any game – he can create chances when there’s not much on, and he always seems to be in the right place. Against Suphanburi he was loitering outside the area, Genki (18) saw him and teed him up well. Tana deftly curled the ball into the top corner, giving us a chance of 3 points in that game. I’m biased on this one, because I was standing right behind the top corner of the goal in Zone D. I genuinely had a moment of disbelief as the ball sailed in. Was that in or just over? Oh it’s in, lets go fucking mental!

 

Tom Earls

 

Best Player: Rattanai (17)

This is a tricky one, but I’m going with the man who I voted for in February’s Player of the Month competition. I was in the minority then, and expect I’ll be in the minority again here, but I just can’t get enough of Port’s baby-faced boy wonder Rattanai. Yes Rochela has been excellent, and yes he brings more to the team with his leadership and guidance than anyone else, but Rattanai has come up with some outstanding performances which have undoubtedly been worth a few points to Port already this season. One mistake against Suphanburi (which fortunately ended up not costing Port) aside, Rattanai has caught everything that has come anywhere near him, shown excellent decision making and has made some lightning-fast reactions stops.
 
Probably the best example of Rattanai’s importance to the team came when he was dropped for the 5-1 drubbing at Honda. Whilst comparing him to Weera would be about as useful about comparing him to a boiled egg, it gave Port fans a glimpse of what it would be like not to have a reliable keeper between the sticks. Scary stuff. Please don’t leave him out again!

 

Best Match: Buriram Home (0-0)

It may not have had the twists and turns of the epic 3-2 win over Suphanburi, or the last minute drama of the 1-1 draw with Ratchaburi, but this was a high intensity, high quality game where Port proved they can compete with anyone on their day. It was Roy of the Rovers stuff. Man of the Match Adisorn couldn’t get a game in central midfield in Division 1 last season, yet had probably the best game of his career, coming out on top against Buriram’s star-studded midfield. Todsapol came in to the side having not played a minute of competitive football in 2017, and looked outstanding against two of the most dangerous forwards in T1. Port, who flopped to a 5-1 defeat at Thai Honda just 4 days earlier and got thumped by the same scoreline last time they hosted Champions Buriram in 2015 were not expected to even be competitive, but defied the odds with a performance full of heart. Port could even have won if not for a miraculous point-blank save from the Buriram keeper. All in front of a sell-out crowd of *ahem* 6,900 people who turned PAT Stadium in to a cauldron where Port just refuse to lose in 2017!
 
 

 
 

Best Goal: Siwakhorn vs Bangkok Utd

For me, there can only really be two candidates here. Siwakorn vs. Bangkok Utd and Tana vs. Suphanburi. Siwakorn’s screamer came at 3-0 down in a 6-2 mauling whereas Tana’s thunderbastard drew Port level in a game they ended up winning 3-2. The skinny wizard’s moment of magic may have been to no avail, but I’m giving it to him for the way he glided past the defender before curling it over the keeper’s head. Tana’s was an outstanding goal, but I think he had slightly less to do when he picked the ball up.
 
 

 
 

Tim Russell

 

Best Player: David Rochela

When Spit claimed in a pre-season article that Rochela was underrated, we scoffed. How could the guy who’d won the 2016 Player of the Year award with a landslide possibly be underrated? But now I think I know what he meant. Rochela is so good, week in week out, that we take his excellence for granted and barely notice it any more. So far this season he’s been as consistent as ever, mopping up at the back, reading the game well and intercepting header after header, and his performances against Ratchaburi and Buriram in particular were little short of heroic. God help us if he ever gets injured or moves on.

 

Best Match: Suphanburi Home (3-2)

If Ratchaburi was a relatively gentle reintroduction to the delights of T1, Suphanburi was a classic all-action balls-out thriller, the kind of game we missed during our brief sojourn into the lower leagues last season. Yes, Port rode their luck at times and benefitted from Adul, who had been Suphan’s star player up to that point, getting a red card; but the intensity and workrate of the Port players was something to behold, particularly Suarez, who grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck in the later stages and scored the winner in what was his best performance so far in a Port shirt. Simply one of the most exciting games I’ve seen at the PAT.

 

Best Goal: Genki vs Ratchaburi

OK, technically and aesthetically it may not be Port’s best goal of the season, but in terms of determination and timing it was perfect. 0-1 down after 94 minutes in their first game back in the TPL – and their first home game for nearly 6 months – Port won a free kick to the right of the Ratchaburi box. Pakorn swung it into the box and Genki threw himself at it Keith Houchen-style to head it in, sparking scenes of utter delirium on the terraces and the first ever airing of the Human League “Genki Nagasato” chant. Best moment of the season so far.
 
 

 

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