In the final Bangkok based warm up fixture before the new season, GAS were handed another stern test of their preparations against T-5 side FC Phoenix. In less than ideal conditions it was a return to everyone’s favourite pitch, Greenfields, with another very thin squad for the evening fixture.
This time, operating a 3-5-2 formation with wingbacks playing in a more compact style than usual, GAS once again started strongly playing the ball around well despite the difficult conditions and creating a couple of early opening and should perhaps have taken one of those opportunities. Whilst the opposition didn’t really create any chances of note, Dominik was again required to make a couple of timely saves to keep the scores level going into the break.
The message at the first of 3 breaks was more of the same, GAS had certainly been the better of the two teams in the opening 30 minutes and could, perhaps should have been going in ahead. Attacking the same end, it was more of the same to begin with but it felt that the team was beginning to turn the screw a bit more with some better chances falling the way of GAS, but ultimately they were unable to take them. GAS were left to rue those miss chances shortly after as Phoenix took the lead from a rebound off a Freekick outside the box and then followed up with a move on the break as a failed attempt to catch the winger offside left a 3 on 1 with the goalkeeper and despite a desperate lunge from Carlos they squeezed the ball home to go into the final break 2-0 up.
Even though they were 2-0 down, heads were not dropping as it was clear the goals would eventually come if the team kept pushing. Playing the other way in the second half, GAS finally got the goal their play deserved after a fine ball chipped over the defensive line from new boy Billy, played in RWB John who’s initial shot was well saved before sliding in the rebound from an impossible angle.
This goal spurred the boys on, desperate not to lose in what had been a strong all round team performance. In contrast, the opposition looked rattled and their usual composed play became untidy and opened the door for GAS who should’ve made the game all square at the death after a delightful ball in from Dominic fell to Thomas in the box who unfortunately couldn’t steer the ball home.
As a result, the game finished 2-1 to Phoenix who were in no doubt they had been in a real game today. But for some better finishing and better refereeing the scores would have been very different.
Everyone will now look forward to the weekend training camp before the first game of the season against Siam Celtic on the 23rd!