Saturday 16th March 2024 - 16:00pm Thailand / 09:00am GMT - TSP
Futera United were dealt a harsh lesson by Dome FC as the title favourites recovered from a goal down to put in an impressive second-half performance to run out comfortable 4-1 winners over the dejected home side.
Futera, playing their first game at their official home, were full of optimism as they took to the pitch against a strong Dome side featuring a number of players with T1 experience and a former Thai international amongst their ranks. With Jew being voted to play centre-back and Sanook moving to the centre forward, it was an unusual-looking first eleven. A cagey opening that saw both teams struggling to create any meaningful chances burst into life in the 16th minute. Bank’s pace exposed the Dome defence, and the winger's fierce right-footed drive was tipped over by the away side's keeper. From the resulting corner, swung in by Taku, Bas rose highest to glance a powerful header into the net, sending the home fans into raptures.
Dome stormed back, forcing a string of corners but not causing too many problems for the well-marshalled Futera defence. A swift counter by Futera saw Bank, a constant threat all afternoon, escape down the right flank and cut into the area only for his electric run to be brought to a halt by a clear foul, which unbelievably the referee and linesman failed to see, letting Dome off the hook. The away side was now dominating possession, and a long ball from their former Thai international eluded the Futera back four, allowing the winger in, and his thunderous strike rattled the crossbar much to the relief of the home fans. Futera managed to see out the remainder of the first half without any difficulties and went in at half-time holding a narrow 1-0 lead.
The experiment of playing Sanook up front clearly didn’t work, and he was replaced at half-time by Nuang, whose hold-up play would hopefully be a crucial factor in the second half. Futera made the worst possible start inside two minutes when a neat move saw the Dome winger, who was impressive throughout, played in down the right wing, and he beat the hesitant Film to provide a simple tap-in for the away side to draw level. A stunned Futera rallied with a neat move that saw Bew put in a teasing cross that the Dome defence was happy to head away for a corner.
With Jew having to be helped off and replaced by M, the away side gradually took control, and they went ahead in the 64th minute. Poor marking from a corner allowed a flick on for the Dome forward to volley home after his first effort was well saved by Film. The away side was now dominant with Futera struggling to put passes together and looking ragged in defence. In the last 10 minutes, individual errors allowed Dome to score two more goals to make the final score 4-1 to Dome.
A sobering defeat for Futera as they were dismantled in the second half by a very good Dome side who were worthy winners. A disappointing second-half display clearly shows that some of our squad are not good enough to play at this level. Sanook up front was an abject failure, and our defensive naivety is a real concern, as is our insistence on playing a rigid 4-3-3 system when it is obviously not working. Time and time again, when we are under pressure, our defence drops deep resulting in us being swarmed in midfield. Communication is paramount for a solid defence, and this clearly needs to be worked on. Not many positives to take out of this game, although Jew put in some incredible tackles and Bew showed what a good player he really is. No time to dwell on this defeat as we look to go again this Sunday hoping to get our first victory, onwards and upwards. Futera Su Su.