Thursday 23rd February 2023 - Friendly
Watch the game back: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VrEsKWUGvU&t=3456s
Futera United celebrated their recent partnership with Soupper Sub by edging out T3 Side Pathumthani University in a 5 goal thriller at the Futera Dome. Futera’s fourth pre-season game proved to be their toughest test against professional T3 side Pathumthani University who arrived with 50 plus players for this friendly fixture that would consist of three 30 minute thirds.
Futera kicked off with new signings Evor and Babu in the starting eleven that also included the experienced coach Kuhn alongside Tewit at the heart of the defence. An evenly matched opening saw both sides enjoy good spells of possession, sprung into life when after Aek’s speculative volley hit the Pathumthani crossbar Evor was the quickest to react and fire the ball home to give Futera a 1-0 lead. Pahtumthani stormed back and Film produced two outstanding saves within minutes of each other. The first was from a corner when the Pathumthani striker glanced in a powerful header that Film from point blank range tipped over, the second was a shot from distance that he dived full stretch to ensure Futera would take a first third lead.
Multiple changes for both sides in the second saw Futera look the better side. Evor’s pace and strength was a constant threat to the Pathumthani defence and this proved to be the case in the 39th minute. A swift Futera counter attack began when Film threw the ball out to Evor who spun his defender and played the ball out to Don who threaded a delightful ball through to Gael. The explosive winger took the ball in his stride ghosted past the right back before playing in Evor who coolly finished to double Futera’s lead. Full of confidence now Futera were in total control and played the ball around with real purpose. In the 43rd minute Evor completed his hat-trick when Don’s deep corner found the tall striker unmarked at the far post and he duly volleyed home to make the score 3-0. Futera had further chances to extend their lead, the best when after excellent work from Evor, Gael blazed over the bar, but the whistle sounded for the end of the second third with the home side in total control at 3-0.
Pahtumthani clearly stung by getting a football lesson from a team several leagues below them were out early for the final third and looked determined to make amends for their poor showing. The T3 side started on the front foot and were playing with a higher intensity and more aggression that resulted in some questionable tackles. Futera looked to have weathered the early storm and were beginning to gain a foothold when a clumsy challenge from Wut allowed Pathumthnai the opportunity to reduce the arrears from the penalty spot. Despite Pond’s gallant full stretched dive the Pathumthani striker found the bottom right corner to make the score 3-1. With several players having to leave the pitch through injury Futera were able to prevent the T3 side creating any clear cut chances and were looking comfortable. An innocuous challenge by Save in the 70th minute resulted in the referee awarding a free kick to Pathumthani. The talented Pathumthani midfielder fired home from 25 yards to make the unlikely comeback a distinct possibility. Futera overcame this set back and took the game to Pathumthani causing problems down both flanks and were denied a stonewall penalty after Phu was clearly upended in the penalty area. Futera’s patched up defence were able to see out the game without any real scares and the final score ended 3-2 for Futera.
An encouraging result against quality opposition for Futera as they enter their second season. The three new signings look real quality. Evor up front is the forward we have been crying out for. He brings strength, pace and I'm sure he will score a hatfull of goals. Tomilinho will be a huge physical presence either at centre back or midfield and Babu has really excelled at left back and shown some exquisite touches already. It’s nice to see a number of PSW youngsters making appearances and I think that the trialist Ter has performed really well. With foreign players not being available for the TA competition and FA Cup we continue the Holy Grail search for a Thai centre forward and also need a centre back. With the season only a few weeks away Futera are looking really strong and I'm sure another successful campaign is in store.