Football as a Watersport

Heavy tropical rains arrived from the east around mid day and lasted for about an hour.
The rain stopped in the early afternoon. The football field was drenched with some puddles four inches deep. 

I'd been told that Sakon FC odd's improved due to the loss of a star player on the Nakhon Phanom FC team. No mention was made of a number of Sakon shortcomings. One local player sat in the audience, suspended from the game, due to a prior red card.
Sakon FC also had a new goalie in place. A bit green at first. He let a goal slip by early in the game. After that,  he did improve.

Another Sakon ace was injured early in the game and had to sit out the remainder with injuries.

July 2010

That one and only goal  by Nakhon Phanom did hurt a bit more than usual, It was almost like a revenge goal.
The goal was made by last years Sakon Nakhon team captain, who was 'sold' to Nakhon Phanom at the start of this year's season.

Sakon Nakhon put up a valiant effort.  Local fans were not disappointed.
Dozens of close call's did have fans cheering the team on.

Refereeing wasn't all that outstanding and was booed a number of times, especially when a Sakon FC goal was disallowed.

Of course with the field soaked there was plenty of slipping and sliding.  Frequently players had dug their shoes into the ground and where 'plowing the field.'  By the time the game ended, the field was ideally suited for mud-wrestling.
Sure the loss was disappointing, but it was one of the most thrilling games this season.

Sakon Nakhon travels to Mukdahan next Sunday, September  10 for a game there.  Start time is 4 PM.

..