Despite a successful tour that ended yesterday, it's still the weekend, and I'd rather not see it end without watching some football. It's an easy trip up to Ayutthaya today, but things always seem to get complicated.
It's a lunchtime start as we head out looking for food and then drive north. Add-ons seem to be a feature of our travels, and Katoon wants to visit a temple in Ayutthaya. I have my reservations due to the fierce daytime heat building in Thailand right now, but I can't be a wimp because of that.
We're soon in the city heading for Wat Phanan Choeng, a royal temple that has great spiritual significance for Thai people. That's partly due to its history. Well-developed now, its origins predate the Ayutthaya Kingdom, but I don't need to dwell on that today as I've been here before. I'll just record my visit here and wait for Katoon to pray for success.
Maybe I should have used the time to visit the railway station nearby, but my attention turns to the evening entertainment. There is a high-profile game on at the Ayutthaya Stadium pitching newly promoted Ayutthaya United against a dominant BG Pathum United. BG are 5th in the table, while Ayutthaya are holding their own in the top half of the table.
We arrive at the stadium rather too early, fearing a big crowd today. Unfortunately, though, Ayutthaya is not well organised for early arrivals, and hanging around in the heat is not particularly pleasant. Respite arrives at 5:00 PM when the gates open, but there is an hour's wait in humid conditions.
Finally the game is ready to start with the home team kicking from left to right in front of the main stand. The Swords are all in red, with the BG rabbits in their yellow and black stripped away kit.
The game is hotly contested from the start, with neither team achieving an advantage. It takes until the 19th minute before anything dramatic happens when a reckless tackle by Ayutthaya's Nattapon Worasut sees him red-carded for violent conduct. Is this the opportunity for the BG rabbits to get a grip on this game? As the game moves on, there is no sign of an Ayutthaya collapse. In fact, late in the half, the BG defense is forced into a couple of spectacular clearances while BG have chances of their own. It's all square at halftime.
Into the second half there is a forced substitution from BG as they bring on Japanese player Tomoyuki Doi on 48 minutes. His impact is immediate. He skips a tackle down the left wing and makes a teasing pass into the centre. A neat dummy sees the ball reach defender Kritsada Kaman, whose long-range shot flies inside the left-hand post, giving the Ayutthaya goalie no chance. The momentum of the game has shifted as the home team attacks become less frequent. It's no real surprise that in the 63rd minute BG increase their lead. A long-flighted ball reaches Photthavong Sangvilay on the left wing. Racing into the penalty box, his cross along the defensive line is perfect as provider Tomoyuki Doi turns goalscorer. He squeezes in between defenders and turned the cross into the back of the net. He's barely played half the game yet deservedly wins man of the match. The home team cannot come back from this, and the game peters out with both teams drained on this very warm evening.
This result is most welcome to BG after some recent setbacks, but they remain 5th in the table. Ayutthaya, despite this defeat, are among the best of the rest in 8th place, a good place to be in after promotion from League 2. For us, we have to return to base despite festivities going on in Ayutthaya tonight. BG will be following us, making the short trip back to Pathum Thani. Tomorrow there is something else planned for us: Opportunities here are never-ending.

Source: Visit