Wednesday 10th August 2022 - 17:00 Thailand / 11:00am BST / 10:00am GMT
After a series of postponed matches due to adverse weather here in Bangkok, the games are now coming thick and fast and Futera were back in action for a friendly fixture against T3 side Samutsakhon City. Samutsakhon are a former T2 side and have invested heavily recruiting a number of T1 and T2 players to ensure they achieve their goal of promotion.
With the lush Futera Dome turf in immaculate condition, thanks to excellent work from the ground staff, the game kicked off with Samutsakhon immediately on the front foot forcing a number of corners in the first 5 minutes. Futera were struggling to keep their opponents, who appeared stronger and quicker, at bay and after a careless back heel by Ice, Samutsakhon broke clear and their striker opened the scoring with a delightful chip that gave Film no chance. Samutsakhon’s intense high press was making life very difficult for Futera who couldn’t keep hold of the ball and were continually under pressure. The experienced T3 side doubled their lead in the 28th minute when after a needless foul from Futera’s desperate defence, Samutsakhon’s number 11 thundered in a tremendous knuckleball free kick that swerved and dipped into the top corner to make the score 2-0. Futera finally began to retain possession and after good work from Bank down the right flank his cross shot was scrambled clear by the Samutsakhon centre back, to defy Few. In the closing stages with Futera pushing forward they were caught by a swift counter attack and the excellent Samutsakhon skipper, who had given our back four a torrid time, drove a low shot into the bottom left corner to make the half time score 0-3.
A change of tactic saw Futera revert to a 5-2-3 formation, that included the trialist Achraf, and they started the second half brightly going close inside the first five minutes. The returning Don won the ball and played it through to Phu whose fierce drive was struck straight at the keeper who parried the ball away into the path of Bank who fired into the side netting. Once again Samutsakhon began to dominate and the Futera back five were being stretched to breaking point. The inevitable fourth goal came from a corner with Samutsakhon utilising their height advantage to good effect to neatly head home to make the score 0-4. Credit to Futera whose heads never dropped and they continued to try and play football and give their all to the team. In the closing minutes Samutsakhon would score again when a near post corner was flicked on for their striker to scramble home and make the final score 0-5.
A learning curve for our young side, who now know the level they need to be at, and although it is always disappointing to lose, you have to appreciate what a talented side Samutsakhon are. They are without a doubt the best side we have played this season and I’m sure they will do very well in the T3. It is clear that some of our players do not yet have the ability to move up to this level but their effort and commitment cannot be faulted. On a positive note our skipper Jew was excellent, showing what a class player he really is, and it was good to see M and Don back. No time to dwell on this performance as we are back in action this Sunday in the BPL against Primera, looking to stay undefeated and top of the table.
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