Nong Khai is the 2011 Phu Phan Cup winner

Plenty of pomp prior to the final Phu Phan Cup game.  It was almost as if this was a military event rather than a sporting event.  With provincial officials fromSakon Nakhon and Nong Kha in attendance there was plenty of security.  I'd guess a good 20% of the spectators were military, police and security forces.

It was obvious to me from the start that Nong Khai was the better team. The Nong Khai team seemed to have control of the ball most of the first half.  The Sakon Team did have a few near misses, real groaners.
The Sakon team performed much better during the second half. Almost felt like they had a good chance at pulling it off.

I've seen it before at football games, a bit of 'Keystone Comedy.'  The steps to the scoreboard where high enough to change the lower parts of the scoreboard.  To reach the upper part of the numbers the scorekeeper had to do some acrobatics

The half time show was a typical Isaan show.  Sure it was great, but I've seen the same routine year after year, nothing really new and exciting.

The venue, the college football field isn't the best in town for spectator seating. The bleachers were entirely reserved for students. Not that I envied them. They get the afternoon sun directly into their faces.

Most of the general seating is on the lawn. I moved twice due to ant attacks.

 

Of course the best seats, cushioned and protected from the sun were reserved for dignitaries.

Apparently there were spectators from near and far, including some fans from Ayutthaya

Toward the end of the game they were setting up for the fireworks (for which I did not stick around).
 At least this year they did not set up the fireworks in the parking lot amid parked vehicles, as I had noted in past years