Bangkok Casuals Football League 2012/13
Pattaya City FC started their 2013 programme with a home match against the French side Les Gaulois after last week’s final cup match was cancelled. It was a match the City players were looking forward to as they wanted revenge after losing their opening game of the season against the French team.
Just before the kick off, the bad news was received that City had slipped to the bottom of the league standings as the team below them won their game. The omens were clearly not good and that feeling was exacerbated when it was heard that three of City’s main players were having transport problems and would be arriving late for the game.
With the match getting underway both teams started very slowly; City’s Rakotonirina having the first shot in anger and seeing his effort go over the bar while at the other end the French replied with a couple of headers from corners that sailed high and wide. Chances were rare as both team’s midfield and defenders kept a tight hold and it was no surprise that the match remained scoreless at half time.
City’s three missing players duly arrived and put a different complex on the match as it woke up in the second period. Pattaya nearly scored when Turnill’s goal-bound shot was saved by the French keeper’s legs. Les Gaulois then gained a couple of corners, with the second one being hit straight to the City keeper whose massive throw out brought confusion to the French defense: both centre-halfs clashed together and the ever alert Dipita picked up the loose ball and sprinted half the length of the pitch to slot the ball home to make it 1-0 for City.
Tshuma then tested the French keeper with two shots, but Les Gaulois nearly equalized and would have done but for a good save by City’s Phansak.
As the match wore on Les Gaulois appeared to come on stronger and they forced an equalizer when a shot was spilled by the City keeper and the waiting unmarked French forward tapped the ball into the net to make it 1-1.
City almost had the last say with a good six man move but the shot went sailing over the top of the French team’s bar and the match ended 1-1.
This was a rather lackluster performance by Pattaya City and they must improve quickly if they are to climb up the league table.
