With 3 wins, 1 draw and only 1 defeat in the last 5 matches, expectations were very high for this game against high flying Assumption Utd., who must be a Champions League candidate elect. Such is the standard of this opposition; they are the only club to win a home tie for the 3rd game against Suphanburi – not a modest achievement. Notable absences from the Hua Hin team were Wichan, who is recovering from appendicitis, Ali G who was suspended and Ali M still recovering from injury. There was a nasty downpour just before kick-off, but conditions for this match were perfect. The crowd was still increased based on earlier in the season, but some supporters would have been deterred by the pre-match rain. The game was only a few minutes old when Wuttichai was bundled off the ball on the edge of the Assumption penalty box. He stepped up to take the resultant free kick himself. His execution of the free kick would have made David Beckham proud. This proved to be the deciding goal. Assumption were very fast on the break, but the Hua Hin defence matched them very well. It is hard to single any one defender out, but if I have to, that honour would again go to Roland, whose work rate was superb. This was a game between 2 very good footballing sides. Unusually, the referee didn't try to take centre stage, players were not feigning injury, it was just good entertaining football from start to finish. Head Coach Sébastien Roques must take great credit for the way he has transformed the team in such a very short time. A special mention to Petprasert who was put between the sticks due to Wichan’s untimely illness, and he claimed the club’s first clean sheet of the season. An excellent game of football, and I don’t think we need fear run-away leaders Suphanburi next Saturday. I think word will soon get out that Hua Hin City are now a force to be reckoned with. After the match, supporters were treated to additional excitement. Assumption won the first match 1-0 and today’s score levelled things with a 1-1 aggregate. The venue for the 3rd game is decided by aggregate score. So it was time for a penalty shoot-out. Being an England supporter, penalty shoot-outs only mean defeat to me. Sure to form, Hua Hin lost 6 – 7. So the final match of the season will be at Assumption. A great day, and a great result. 3 points nearer the teams above.
