DIRTY MATCH RESULTS IN CLEAN SHEET FOR FARANGS

CHIANG MAI (AFP) - And so it was with a degree of trepidation that the Farangutans assembled for the second match of the season. Trepidation not so much due to the previous weeks defeat, but because of the shockingly early 9.00am kickoff. This early start was new territory for the boys, and may have accounted for a couple of absentees - what was rather surprising though was that Ross was not one of these - on the contrary, he arrived looking sharp, fresh and ready to do battle. And this he endeavoured to do, kicking lumps out of his opponent from start to finish! And it was just this type of fighting spirit that was required to banish the disappoinment of the game the week before. Mae Khajan provided the opposition; could the mighty Farangtans clock up their first league victory?

The early exchanges saw little threat from Mae Khajan; rather it was the Faranguans who took control of the game and carved out the only clear-cut chances. The pitch was flat and smooth (which did actually come as quite a surprise!) and the farangs took full advantage. Adam, James and Shawn were all prominent creating good openings, willingly supported out wide by Tim and Troy. But it was striker Ano who enjoyed a couple of great chances only to be denied by a resolute Mae Khajan goalkeeper. Nevertheless, the Farangutans’ dominance was rewarded on the half hour as Adam battled his way through the opposition defence before lashing the loose ball into the bottom corner. This sent a wave of confidence throughout the team, and the farangs pressed for a second as half time approached. But alas it was not forthcoming - indeed one free kick from a promising position sailed high over the bar, and would have registered a comfortable three points in another sport!

The second half began in much the same vein - one in which Mae Khajan were ‘chasing shadows’. And as their frustration grew, the game took on a much more unsavoury feel. Ross’s ongoing feud with the Mae Khajan right winger had sown the seeds in the first half - and now the game boiled over. Being unable to create any meaningful openings, Mae Khajan’s tactics changed dramatically as they proceeded to trip, hack and scythe down any Farangutan who ventured near them. In a mad twenty minute period, Mae Khajan saw their agricultural defending rewarded with six yellow cards, and one red. That was for the Mae Khajan left back who committed a horrendous tackle on the Farangutan midfielder “Sweepy”, whose own attempt to exact a little revenge, by lunging two-fisted at said left back, was similarly met with the red card. As he left the pitch, some spectators could clearly hear his reaction, “Ooooh, Ah thought it was earnly worth a yeller…”

By this stage the referee was having quite a job controlling the game - and he may well have been thankful that the Farangutans second goal seemed to knock the wind out of the Mae Khajan sails. Again it was Adam who found the ball at his feet following a break down the right; he was able to squeeze his shot in at the near post, complete his brace and earn him a well-deserved man-of-the-match nomination. So, two-nil, and game over... or was it? No, far from it. Mae Khajan were not finished yet - they mounted a fightback as the Farangutans sat back on their lead. The impressive Mark firstly had to produce a fine save from a vicious in-swinging free kick, somehow pushing the ball on to the bar; and as the seconds were ticking away his services were once again called upon. Mae Khajan, having been awarded a penalty, saw this as their potential life-line. But no, Mark capped a fine performance by saving the spot kick, sending the Farangutans and their travelling supporters into raptures! And despite being battered and bruised, the Farangutans held on for this first hard-fought victory.

Same time next week? No chance, it’s a sedate 11.00 kick off!

Men of the match: Adam, Mark, Shawn