Sunday morning at 8.30: a time when every self-respecting
Farangutan would normally still be just a couple of hours into a coma
following a Saturday night at Spicey’s. Not this week though, we were all
there at the Irish raring to get to Sankampaeng and reacquaint ourselves
with the long forgotten experience of picking up 3 points – all except
Ross, of course who, as usual, had to be dragged out of bed. Fortunately,
nobody has yet thought about introducing breathalysers for footballers.
Yet again, the team had a new look with two debs (Rick
The Singing Monk who had never before kicked a football in his life and
Matthew), sprucing themselves up in their high heels and Sunday best and
ready to learn a trick or two, as well as recent signing Tao from the land
of the European Champions.
We began hopefully with our midfield confidently knocking
the ball around for the first 10 minutes which, we thought, had the
opposition suitably dazzled. They were well supported by a solid looking
defence with Warren as yet untroubled, Ross still drunk but not yet
disorderly and Eugene producing another solid performance at left back. The
first goal could be only a matter of time. It was - unfortunately for the
wrong team as they picked up a stray ball and broke clean through our
defence. Chris made a brave attempt to get down in time to a hard low shot,
but that final beer the previous night won the day and the ball was in the
net: 0-1.
Somewhat shell-shocked, we kicked off again and took a
siesta for the next 20 minutes. When we re-awoke, the score was suddenly
0-3. Hinsh, Rick Mann and Eric were still running in midfield and Adam was
still foraging, but the opposition were running faster. Number 9 was causing
Warren to dig deep into his supply of experience and number 8 was making
Ross sober up quickly. Chris, who produced some stunning saves to keep us in
the game, was helpless as he was left to pick the ball out of the net again.
The second half saw no new legs (the 22 we had were the
only ones available) but a masterly tactical change initiated by Warren
Wenger. Rick The Singing Monk was commissioned to man mark the opposition
number 9 (and if all else failed, sing gently in his ear). Immediately
following the kick-off, Eric sent Adam clean through the defence and we were
back in the game: 1-3. One minute later, they repeated the combination, this
time Adam slotted the ball coolly over the top: 1-3. But the pressure was
beginning to take its toll on the opposition and the previously dangerous
number 9 was so well shackled by Rick TSM that we had complete control of
the game despite having to carry Eugene whose aging hamstring seized up. The
defence was again solid and Rick slotted home our second shortly afterwards:
2-3 and the Farangutans were looking good.
With the opposition waking up slightly, Ross and his bum
chum (no.8) were becoming ever more intimate with the referee visibly
wincing at some of Ross’ tackles. Finally, the inevitable: yet another
yellow card to add to the collection. Meanwhile, Chris was again there when
needed and kept us in the game with a couple more good saves. When the
referee blew up for yet another foul, Warren came up with the defender’s
classic “I got the ball, ref”, conveniently ignoring the opponent
writhing on the ground long before he made contact with leather. We thought
we had equalized when Adam, after being obstructed, took a quick free kick
to Rick who walked the ball home. Thai refs, however, like to be in control
when free kicks are taken and disallowed the goal.
Suddenly our hopes were snuffed by a late breakaway goal
and despite bravely fighting to the end, we succumbed to another defeat.
Down, but by no means out! We’ll be back!
Final Score: Farangutans 2 Radar FC 4.
Men of the match: Rick Mann, Warren, Ross
A
Mae Taeng player dribbles the ball during the match with Mae On.
Khum
Wongsaeng, 73, a member of Chiang Mai Bicycle Club participates in bicycle
riding with his homemade coconut shell helmet, to celebrate the 73 year
anniversary of the Queen.
Gp.
Capt. Seubboon Nanna, director of Aeronautical Radio of Chiang Mai