FUTERA UNITED 6 - 2 EGY THAI FC
SUNDAY 27th NOVEMBER - 19:00pm Thailand / 12:00pm GMT - Friendly
With Futera United set to play in the Thai Semi Pro League next season a friendly fixture against EGY Thai would be our foreign players last game, for the foreseeable future. A torrential downpour before the game had left the pitch in an awful condition with certain areas resembling a quagmire.
Futera United took to the sodden Futera Dome with the popular Gael Basana skippering a strong looking side that included Basil at centre back. Division 2 Champions EGY Thai made a bright start and dominated the opening stages going close on a number of occasions, with Futera struggling to adapt to the atrocious conditions. After weathering EGY Thai’s early pressure Futera gradually started to gain a foothold in the game with Bank on the left flank a constant threat. In the 20th minute a delightful through ball from Phu played in Bank whose pinpoint cross found Gael in the box to powerfully head home to open the scoring. 10 minutes later the lead was doubled when a speculative effort from Jew somehow found its way past the EGY Thai keeper.
Futera were now full of confidence and a perfectly weighted ball from Katang saw Phu glide past the EGY Thai defence to fire home a fierce left foot drive that nestled into the bottom corner to make the score 3-0. In the 42nd minute substitute Stefan got in on the scoring act when his deflected shot bamboozled the EGY Thai keeper to further extend Futera’s lead. With the first half coming to a close, EGY Thai failed to clear a Futera corner and the ball was played back in by Katang to Basil who scored with an exquisite chip, for his first Futera goal to make the score at the break 5-0.
Futera made wholesale changes at the start of the second half which allowed EGY Thai to gain control and they reduced the deficit when the home team failed to clear a corner and the loose ball was scrambled home. Minutes later from another EGY Thai corner the referee awarded a penalty for an innocuous challenge and despite Pond’s valiant dive the ball was confidently tucked away. The move of the match put paid to an unlikely comeback when neat football by Futera was rounded off when Ice slid in Few who smashed the ball into the roof of the net to make the final score 6-2.
An entertaining game and credit to both sides, who both tried to play football on a waterlogged surface. A fitting send off for our three foreign players who all managed to find the net and put in impressive performances, showing that they will be sorely missed. A special mention to Gael who has been an integral part of the Futera story since the beginning not only on the pitch but also with his interaction with the NFT holders. His stunning solo effort where he ran the length of the pitch will be long remembered as will his iconic goal celebration. A true gentleman and all round good guy it’s a real pity we cannot utilize his ability next season.
A short break for the players now before back in training for the start of the Thailand Semi Pro League which will begin January. Exciting times lie ahead as this incredible journey gets better and better.