Wednesday 2nd November 2022 - 17:00pm Thailand / 10:00am GMT - Chang FA Cup 2nd Round
Futera United, the lowest placed team left in the competition, faced off against T3 table toppers Sisaket United in a Chang FA Cup second round tie at the impressive Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium. The young team from Bangkok made the arduous 550 km trip full of optimism and confidence but ultimately came away defeated despite a valiant effort from everyone involved.
The game kicked off with the more experienced home side almost scoring inside the opening minutes. Confusion in the Futera box allowed the Sisaket striker a free run on goal but he dragged his shot inches wide off the post much to the relief of the T4 side. This scare galvanised Futera and they grew in confidence beginning to pass the ball with purpose and limiting the opposition to a handful of half chances and went close themselves when Mai’s smart backheel played in Jew but his shot failed to trouble the Sisaket keeper. In the 20th minute neat build up play by Sisaket saw them fashion an opening for their impressive left winger whose shot was well saved by Film, the rebound fell to Jew, who calmness personified, dribbled the ball along his own goal line evading two challenges to clear. Futera’s defence was performing heroics and with Bank a constant threat on the counter-attack they managed to see out the first half with the scores tied at 0-0.
Futera started the second half brightly and in the first minute Save escaped down the right flank and his cross come shot flew narrowly over the Sisaket crossbar with their keeper floundering in no man's land. With the home fans becoming restless Sisaket stepped up a gear forcing a number of corners before finally breaking the deadlock in the 50th minute, when Futera’s defence failed to clear and the ball dropped for the home teams striker to smash home a half volley into the bottom corner. Minutes later the impressive Sisaket left back delivered a pinpoint cross that was met by a firm header to double the lead for the T3 side. With a somewhat shell shocked Futera in disarray they conceded a third when once again poor defending allowed the Sisaket striker to fire in a low drive that nestled in the bottom corner giving Film no chance.
To Futera’s credit they regained their composure and began to take the game to their higher ranked opponents. Substitutes Phu and Ice were playing with confidence while skipper Jew was outstanding in the centre of the park. Phu turned the Sisaket defence inside out before dragging his shot wide of the far post, while Art saw his curling shot well saved after being played in by Jew. Sisaket introduced their three Brazilian stars but it was Futera who remained in the ascendancy, a fierce drive from Jew was well saved and both Phu and the tireless Bank went close before the final whistle blew with a 3-0 victory for the home side.
A fantastic effort from Futera United who had pushed their illustrious opponents every step of the way and their efforts were warmly received by the home fans, who chanted Futera Su Su at the final whistle. Although it's always tough to lose, we must take immense pride in our team's performance, who once again have shown that they have the ability to compete at T3 level. Sisaket United are an excellent team who currently sit top of their league and our team will gain great experience from this FA Cup journey. Not one player was over awed by the occasion and to a man they gave their all. Phu and Jew were both magnificent and Film performed heroics in goal while I thought Ice played very well when he came on. No time to dwell on our disappointment as we move onto our next Bangkok Premier League fixture with the opportunity to clinch the title. An incredible first season for everyone involved with Futera from players, staff and NFT holders and this journey is far from over and will only get better.