It's the day after our interesting visit to Taiwan, and there should be nothing to write here, but after a morning to recover, there's something that's been missing. At 4:00 PM we wake up the car from its slumbers. It's now Saturday, and that means football. It certainly wasn't planned, but away we go on a 1-hour journey.
This evening Ayutthaya United take on Uthai Thani FC at the Ayutthaya Stadium. With a 6 o'clock kickoff this is an easy fixture to attend with time enough to return to Bangkok at a reasonable hour after the game. Interestingly I was at the game earlier in the year that secured a place for Ayutthaya in Thailand's top league. For me it was good news since it added another stadium to the three I could attend without overnight accommodation.
Now, halfway through the season, Ayutthaya have done enough, it seems to stay in this league for another season occupying a respectable mid-table position. Their opponents are Uthai Thani FC, who have consistent form over recent years. Uthai Thani are the more experienced team but also find themselves in mid-table. Today is all about honour and an improvement in their position for both teams.
We arrive at the stadium with no delay and have the time to buy tickets, find food and locate our seats. There is a leisurely feeling here, as there isn't expected to be a massive crowd, but there is still good support for both teams. For this fixture we are in a wing of the main stand rather than in the uncovered stand opposite where we were last time we came. Everything is settled for the start of the game.
The home team in their blue kit will be kicking left to right towards the away supporters. Their strip is fawn to off white making their white shirt numbers hard to read from distance but one advantage they have is they have some tall members. The back line is huge; then there is their centre forward, Brazilian Bruno Baio. By comparison, the Ayutthaya players are much shorter on average. Is there going to be a giant killing I here wonder.
As the game starts, I look for differences in the two teams so evenly matched on paper. Certainly, Ayutthaya have skilful players, and they move the ball quickly as a team. Uthai Thani are working to their strengths, literally taking a more direct approach. The result is a game of cat and mouse with few chances created, but just when I wondered where a goal was coming from, there is a breakaway by Uthai Thani. They beat the press and a long ball is sent out the right wing where Leandro Ribeiro reaches the goal line. He cuts back a delightful ball with the home team backpedalling. It's strength that wins as Bruno Baio meets the ball firing it past the Ayutthaya goalkeeper in the 14th minute. Ayutthaya continue to probe the Uthai defence but come up against a brick wall which stays firm until half-time.
Into the second half it's much the same; these teams are so evenly matched that neither can gain a foothold. It becomes a game of ping-pong with defences on top. As the visitors continue to thwart the 'sword' attacks, Uthai try to counter, and it looks like they've grabbed another goal in the 74th minute as Bruno Baio sneaks in at the far post, but the goal is ruled offside. Ayutthaya can do no more against a stubborn defence. They have had chances with shots on target, but the Uthai keeper has hung on to everything today as his team take all three points. The result keeps both teams safe enough for now. We head back to Bangkok, arriving at a more sensible hour than we did last night.

Source: Visit