(The starting eleven for the last game away at Lampang. The two young lads on the right of the front row I'd never even heard of before. Will we see a similar 'patched-up' Samut Prakan team tonight?)

Firstly, what's the news from the T3 play-offs?

Bangkok FC and Sisaket FC have both won automatic promotion, so that's a Bangkok-based team in T2 next season along with a club from the North-East. The third promoted team is still waiting to be decided. Sisaket would certainly make an interesting away trip.

A quick look at the T2 table with 3 matches to play

Nongbua Pichaya and Nakhon Ratchisima have already gained automatic promotion to the premier league. Nakhonsi United, Chiang Mai FC (another club seemingly in a financial crisis) and Rayong FC are looking good for the play-offs but 6th place is still very much up for grabs. At the bottom of the table, Krabi FC and Customs United are already down while Kasetsart FC, although mathematically relegated, will almost certainly fold at the end of the season anyway. 

The experts tipped Krabi to go down even before the season started

Yes, and true to form they've had a pretty wretched season. Away from home, The Andaman Eagles have won just one solitary game, beating Kasetsart FC 1-0 back in November. There's something almost cruel about making them travel all the way to Samut Prakan for a meaningless game when their fate has already been decided. I still wouldn't like to make a prediction for this one though. 

The last time the two clubs met at the SAT Stadium

Back in January 2023, and a miserable evening with Krabi ending up 2-1 winners. Shortly after the game, the Samut Prakan head coach 'Bo' Jukkapant and his assistant both resigned. 

What's the general vibe coming out of Samut Prakan at the moment?

The club are not saying anything publicly (and that's probably understandable). The issue of not paying player and staff salaries almost certainly hasn't been resolved, and there's a general mood around the Samut Prakan fan base that these final three games could be our last. Even the most optimistic supporter fears the club will not continue into next season... but we've been surprised before. Anything can happen in Thai football.  

To the match itself

We do love a 7pm kick off! It's such a civilized time to start a football match, under floodlights, when the sun has long set and the temperatures are more bearable. However, it was another pitifully low crowd of around 250, with just one solitary away fan cheering for Krabi. Well done that man!

(Photo credit: Official Samut Prakan Facebook page)

It's not been confirmed whether the Samut Prakan players have received at least part of their outstanding salaries or if they are playing on promises, but it's thankfully a stronger starting line-up than the one at Lampang last weekend. Fernando comes back into the team but the most surprise inclusion is number five Thirapon, who was very much the social media 'whistleblower' and was rumoured to have departed the club already. 

Krabi undoubtedly had the best of the first half, playing with a freedom that you'd expect from a team already resigned to life in the third division next season, but it's Samut Prakan's man mountain centre-back Neto who squanders the game's first big chance, heading wide from a Sho Shimoji free kick. At the other end, Phuchaken has a golden chance to put the visitors in front but sidefoots past the left upright. The 24-year-old striker, now in his third season at the club, makes amends on the half hour though, as Prakan keeper Jirunpong pushes a low cross into his path and Phuchaken slams the ball home. 

Somewhat against the run of play, Samut Prakan haul themselves level on 38 minutes. A corner from Sho Shimoji is met at the far post with a header from who else... Thirapon. You can sense what the goal means to him as visibly emotional, he leaps across the advertisement hoardings to share a special moment with the fans. It's been a tough few weeks for the young man. 

Half-time: Samut Prakan 1 Krabi FC 1

(A much stronger starting eleven. Photo credit: Official Samut Prakan Facebook page)

Samut Prakan start the second period with far more intent and take the lead on 54 minutes, Sangjin Lee's through ball finding Fernando, who makes no mistake for his 11th goal of the season. Sangjin himself then has two chances to put the game out of Krabi's reach but after hitting a shot straight at the keeper, puts his next one over the bar. 

The Andaman Eagles aren't out of this contest by any means and they equalize with ten minutes remaining. It's a super goal from second half substitute Porncha as he picks Thirapon's pocket, darts up to the edge of the box and rifles a low shot into the corner. 

Brazilian striker Lucas Massaro, now playing for his 7th club in the Thai league, almost writes the headlines but his late effort bounces off the woodwork and the contest ends with a point apiece.

Full-time: Samut Prakan 2 Krabi FC 2 

Watch the match highlights

(A chance goes begging for Neto. Photo credit: Official Samut Prakan Facebook page)

Overall thoughts?

The result didn't really matter because it's the bigger issues that surround the club that are the primary concern, but that was actually a very entertaining game - two clubs with nothing to lose (or rather nothing to play for) going toe-to-toe with some kamikaze counter-attacking that left both defences exposed. It made for an enjoyable watch and was certainly one of the better home games we've witnessed this season. 

Who's up next?

There's a two week break for the Songkran holiday and then we travel down to Rayong for our last away game of the season on Sunday 21st April.

Going?

Yes, we're going to see it through to what could be the bitter end. 

Samut Prakan fixtures 2023/2024