Chiang Mai Cucolandu's v's Toronto Castaways

Match Report

Sunday, 16^th April

Gymkhana Club, Chiang Mai

 Another year has rolled by and Chiang Mai warmly welcomed the annual return of The Toronto Castaways FC.

Here for their yearly thrashing of  the local football team. The impressive AC Milan style kit was sponsored by the Irish Pub.

The Toronto Castaways; currently touring Thailand, entertained a near capacity crowd at the Chiengmai Gymkhana Golf Club.

It was the second in two match series between the touring side and the Cucolandu Pub select eleven. The Castaways, desperate to pull back from an unexpected 3-2 defeat in the initial game, started the second looking solid at the back and inventive in midfield.

Despite their organisation they failed to create many chances in a heated first half.

An outstanding 30 yard strike from Mr Ed, (an impressive right winger,) appeared to give the home side the opening goal. Unluckily it rattled the crossbar and eventually came to rest with the keeper.

It was 33 minutes until Simon “playmaker” Lever whipped in a cross, met superbly by Mr Ed, heading high, and right leaving the keeper no chance.

Within minutes the Castaways drew level with a quick counter attack. The Cucolandu keeper, Chris Callow, making his debut, managed to get a hand to the shot, but the power was too great and he could only parry it into his own net.

With temperatures breaking the 100 Fahrenheit mark, the second half started at a more sedate pace. Both teams employed an effective squad rotation system to combat the sweltering heat.

The second half had 6 goals shared between the two teams.

A set play from a 25 yard free kick allowed the playmaker, yet again, to unlock the key to a now shaky looking Toronto defense.

Without doubt, the highlight of the second half was Cocolandu centre forward Warren Howe’s 35 yard full volley, which nestled in the top, left hand corner.  A goal that could have graced any field.

With the Castaways 4-1 down the match was as good as over. But the touring side’s better stamina was now coming into play. Piling the pressure on and making good use of their quick forwards

In the dying minutes Haydon Summers, the Cucolandu sweeper, made a surging run from deep to put the game beyond doubt and securing an unlikely, yet appreciated 5-2 win for the home side.

The Toronto Castaways, moving onto Bangkok for the next leg of their tour, participating in the German Open Knock-out, were so impressed by Warren Howes efforts, that they have now been signed him for their forthcoming tour.

Report by Chris Dear

Mugs Gallery

Before the game

Overhead kick specialist (before)

Breakneck speed

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