Futera United 0-2 Air Force FC

Sun 14 Sept 2025, 15:30 – T3 (Bangkok Univ. Rangsit Stadium)

Another historic day in Futera United’s “park to professional” journey as they took part in their first-ever professional league match against an experienced and well-established Royal Thai Air Force FC at a rocking Bangkok University Stadium. Futera’s squad had undergone wholesale changes since its first-ever competitive game, with only Film and Phu remaining in the starting XI.The game, broadcast live on Thai TV, kicked off under leaden skies, an ominous sign of things to come. After an unsightly scramble in the home team’s six-yard box, where Air Force had numerous opportunities to find the back of the net, Futera grew into the game and began to control possession, moving the ball quickly and confidently while probing for openings.

The impressive Pingpong’s incisive through ball released Phu, whose fierce left-foot strike struck the side netting. Moments later, Futera really should have gone ahead when Aon’s exquisite cross found Fiw, but with only the keeper to beat he headed wide, leaving the home crowd to ponder whether the miss would prove costly.

With Power a constant threat and the home team’s intense press forcing Air Force to kick long, Futera seemed in control. The back four of skipper Bas, Ton, Fiw and Net subdued the away team’s attacks, limiting them to speculative efforts from distance, with keeper Film barely troubled.

With 10 minutes left in the half, the heavens opened, unleashing a torrential rainstorm that sent supporters running for cover. As puddles quickly formed on the pitch and players drenched, the referee blew for half-time with the scores level at 0-0.

After a brief delay to the restart, while groundsmen unsuccessfully attempted to clear the standing water, Air Force got the second half underway with Futera introducing two substitutions: Ball replacing Net, booked in the first period, and Beem coming on for Aon. With the downpour showing no sign of easing, the contest quickly descended into chaos. Players from both sides struggled to keep their footing, passes held up in ever-growing puddles, and the surface soon resembled a quagmire.

The game had become a lottery, with players launching the ball forward at every opportunity. Air Force pinned Futera inside their own half as the hosts struggled to clear their lines. The visitors went close when their striker unleashed a superb curling effort that looked destined for the top corner, only for Film to produce a fantastic acrobatic one-handed save that left the noisy away fans shaking their heads in disbelief.

With Air Force adapting to the atrocious conditions better than the youthful Futera side, they finally broke the deadlock when a wickedly curling corner was met by a firm header from their striker that flew into the roof of the net. Credit to Futera, who stormed back with Beem proving a constant threat. A delightful through ball from the lively midfielder sent Kao clean through on goal, but The Eagle fired high over the bar with only the keeper to beat. Futera would rue that miss, as moments later a hopeful punt forward saw the home side’s back four fail to clear, allowing the Air Force striker to pounce and fire home before celebrating wildly with his teammates in front of the travelling supporters.

It was a bitter blow for Futera, but they pressed forward with determination in search of a lifeline. Their efforts went unrewarded, and after four minutes of added time the referee’s whistle confirmed a 2-0 defeat on their professional league debut.

Although any defeat is hard to take, my overriding feeling is one of immense pride. The whole occasion was fantastic, apart from the result and of course, the biblical weather. I must take issue, however: if this is supposed to be a professional league, how was the game allowed to continue in such atrocious conditions? This game would have been called off in the BPL!

On a positive note, this performance clearly showed that we are able to compete at this level, and had we taken two gilt-edged chances, who knows what the final result might have been. I thought Pingpong played well, showing real leadership, while the two centre-backs looked calm and composed in the first half. Film produced a magical save, and Beem once again showed he is a class above, combining technical quality with the ability to mix it physically.

We move on to our next fixture not downtrodden, but full of confidence and expectation. Before the rain, I felt we were the better footballing side, and once our team finds its feet at this level, we will be a force to be reckoned with. Onwards and upwards. Futera Su Su!