7th April 2022 - 19:00hrs Thai / 12:00hrs GMT
With the Songkran celebrations in Thailand imminent, the Bangkok Premier League decided to cancel all the upcoming weekend fixtures. To ensure our team kept their match fitness, a friendly match against BT United was arranged. This would be a stern test, as like us BT United had been accepted into the TA league. The friendly fixture would, as previous matches, follow the 3, 30 minute thirds format.
Once again due to COVID and absentees it was a youthful looking Futera that started the first period. Owen returned to partner Oat at centre back while Mai was pushed into a central striker role. From the start, Futera full of confidence following their 5-1 demolition of Assanee, were on the front foot and fashioned their first opening after 5 mins. Some excellent work from the ever impressive Mai saw the ball fall nicely to Poom who lacked composure and blazed the ball high over the bar. BT were failing to pick up Mai and an inch perfect through ball saw Bank clean through on goal but the keeper saved well. Minutes later the same pair combined again only for Bank to drag a left foot shot wide. Although we were the dominant side BT caught us on the break in the 16th minute, an overload on the right hand side allowed BT to send in a dangerous cross that Phon did well to keep out.
Rather fortuitously, BT took the lead in the 20th minute. Oat won a challenge on the half way line but in doing so inadvertently played in the BT winger who cut inside John and calmly finished to make the score 1-0 to BT. Futera kept playing their football and were rewarded for their endeavours 8 minutes later. Phu weaved his way past 2 defenders into the box before he was unceremoniously upended for a penalty to Futera. Upstepped John, stand in skipper in the absence of Jew, and fired the ball into the top right corner to make the score at the end of the first half 1-1.
The second half saw numerous changes to the team. It was nice to see both Bob and Few back, after contracting COVID and also what would be an excellent cameo performance from coach Wut. John and Tewit would be a new centre half pairing and we also had a young trialist, Seve in the midfield. Futera made a promising start and were knocking the ball about with real purpose. A perfect delivery from Nu landed onto the head of Bobo but he was just unable to keep his effort down. Futera were very much on top now and Few’s strong running was a constant threat. Phu had a great chance that went just wide of the post and on the 48th minute a superb free kick from Bobo bent round the wall but crashed against the post with the BT keeper well beaten. A fine Futera team move down the left flank in the 51st minute saw coach Wut play in Boss with a delightful reverse ball but unfortunately our young striker shot tamely at the keeper. The second third was very competitive with a real edge and some thunderous challenges resulting in several bookings. Again we were left to rue several missed chances as the second third ended all square.
The final third began with yet again wholesale changes, Gao, Gael, Fofana and the young triallist Pic all being introduced. Both teams struggled to keep possession and the game was rather scrappy. A thunderous strike from a Poom free kick was well saved by the BT keeper while at the other end Film made a fine save diving to his left. In the 87th minute Oat picked the ball up on the half way line and burst through the BT defence evading challenge after challenge. With only the keeper standing in his way he was crudely taken out from behind by the BT centre back. A fantastic run was rewarded with just a free kick on the edge of the box which was blazed high and wide. With the game seemingly heading for a stalemate Futera were awarded a free kick in the 91st minute. Poom swung in an inswinging cross that was met by the predatory Diew, whose glancing header nestled into the bottom corner to give Futera the lead they deserved. The referee blew the final whistle, Futera United 2-1 BT United.
Another fine victory which keeps the momentum going, winning games becomes a habit. A great team performance with notable performances from Pang at left back and Mai tormenting the BT back four. Few looked very sharp on his return and John showed his versatility playing both right back and centre back. We are looking strong now in all positions with the exception of centre forward where no one has really stood out. Absolutely loving the journey this team are on and can’t wait for the next fixture. Come on United!