Probably the largest crowd of the season turned out at Takiab Stadium to witness the changes that had happened since the end of Leg 1, which was just 3 weeks ago i.e.
• Many Leg 1 players had returned to their studies at university.
• A lot of new players had been recruited for Leg 2.
• The club had recruited a new head coach, Sebastien Roques.
• The team would be wearing their brand new kit, brandishing new sponsors.
Expectations were very high, and the team played well in all areas of the field except where it mattered – in front of goal. Even then, they could be excused because the Nonthaburi keeper played out of his skin.
Unfortunately, we still need a dedicated centre-forward. That position should be filled in a couple of days’ time.
Despite the team not being quite complete, balls were going from defence to Dorian in midfield, who in very quick time moved them out to the wingers who were also very good. Movement of the ball was excellent. Hua Hin put ball after ball into the danger area, but were thwarted by the keeper or giant centre-half every time.
Nonthaburi’s goal, which came midway through the first half was a bad mistake in several areas. Wichan came for a ball, leaving his goal undefended. Defenders were watching the ball, rather than their man. In the end it was a simple header into an empty goal mouth – game over.
From the minute they took the lead, Nonthaburi employed some very frustrating gamesmanship. They were constantly disrupting the flow of the game by feigning injury, and a Hua Hin player would put the ball out of play while everybody waited for the player to stand up again. This tactic was employed regularly for at least 30 minutes before the referee started booking players for deliberate time wasting. When it is so blatant, one wonders why the losing team participates in this ‘gentlemanly conduct’, when the conduct of the players feigning injury is far from gentlemanly. All in all, Hua Hin’s football has improved in many ways, and the results will start coming. When we gain confidence by putting a couple of results together, the side will become increasingly stronger.
