The final game of the calendar year for the high flying German All Stars was somewhat of a revenge fixture against a PTT team who were very lucky to escape the reverse fixture at the beginning of the season with a point. This provided the motivation for all members of the GAS squad going in to this game.
After the near 2 hour drive up to Pattaya and visiting most of the football pitches in the province, the venue was finally decided upon and the GAS Team, led as ever by CT5, got us underway in the midday heat at FC Planet Stadium.
Pressing their opponents from the off, GAS got off to the best possible start when midfield maestro Dominic swung in a right footed corner and the man in form, Federico, leapt like a salmon to head the men in white infront! Given the run of results the team had been on the last couple of months, confidence was high and the team were knocking the ball about nicely creating one or more opportunities to extend the lead. Although not having the majority of the possession the general feeling at half time was that GAS were deservedly ahead and could possibly have added to their lead before the break.
When the second half got underway it became apparent to all involved that this was a significantly different PTT team to the one faced at the beginning of the season, much more physical and athletic with a much bigger bench to call upon. Eventually, shortly in to the second half the pressure from PTT told and their forward slotted home to make it 1-1. Still, GAS has been in this situation before and heads did not drop as they continued to press the opposition and try our best to play our game.
Unfortunately, a hard task was made even more difficult shortly after when PTT scored a disappointing 2nd to put them in the lead and to cue a flurry of samba dancing from their mobile phone wielding supporters. GAS kept plugging away but the extra fitness levels and squad depth was too strong as PTT added a 3rd and 4th goal to add a rather flattering look to the score line in their favour.
Despite the game finishing 4-1 and to the clear disappointment of the players, supporters and coaching staff alike, we knew this was going to be a very tough game and fortunately we have the chance to put this right on the 14th Jan in the next competitive game!