THE KIRIN WALL!!
Muangthong United defend hard and earn the away-match point
Muangthong United travelled to play Nongbua Pitchaya FC in Thailand's famous Isan region. Nong Bua were champions last season in the T2 League and was promoted to the top level where the club has done well and sits mid-table.
They've been very strong at home, and Coach Mario Gjurovski knew this was to be a tough match. Both teams traded chances throughout the match. With key attacker, Willian Popp, missing from action, Gjurovski looked to youngster Porament Arjivrai to step up, and the academy player performed well, including a shot off the crossbar.
The hero of the match for the Kirin was keeper Sompron Yos who denied the Nongbua strikers on several occasions, batting away shots and one-on-one challenges to earn the clean sheet. The VAR system was important to this match, with two Nongbua goals being ruled out for fouls or offside positions giving an unfair advantage in the fray. Somporn was also helped by solid performances from centre backs Lucas Rocha (Brazil) and Jesper Nyholm (Swedish-Filipino).
The single point is important in keeper Muangthong United on the edge of earning a top-four, or better, finish to the season. The Kirin head to their next match in fifth place, just one point out of fourth and within reach of more. The squad plays next on Sunday, February 20th, against another promoted side from Isan, Khon Kaen United.
Muangthong United defend hard and earn the away-match point
Muangthong United travelled to play Nongbua Pitchaya FC in Thailand's famous Isan region. Nong Bua were champions last season in the T2 League and was promoted to the top level where the club has done well and sits mid-table.
They've been very strong at home, and Coach Mario Gjurovski knew this was to be a tough match. Both teams traded chances throughout the match. With key attacker, Willian Popp, missing from action, Gjurovski looked to youngster Porament Arjivrai to step up, and the academy player performed well, including a shot off the crossbar.
The hero of the match for the Kirin was keeper Sompron Yos who denied the Nongbua strikers on several occasions, batting away shots and one-on-one challenges to earn the clean sheet. The VAR system was important to this match, with two Nongbua goals being ruled out for fouls or offside positions giving an unfair advantage in the fray. Somporn was also helped by solid performances from centre backs Lucas Rocha (Brazil) and Jesper Nyholm (Swedish-Filipino).
The single point is important in keeper Muangthong United on the edge of earning a top-four, or better, finish to the season. The Kirin head to their next match in fifth place, just one point out of fourth and within reach of more. The squad plays next on Sunday, February 20th, against another promoted side from Isan, Khon Kaen United.