Manchester United’s trip to Thailand promised so much but delivered little to its 20 million Thai followers. On a hot, sticky day at Rajamanagala Stadium David Moye’s first game as manager against a Singha All Star team ended in defeat after Bangkok Glass’ Teerartep Winothai beat Ben Amos at his near post minutes into the second half. The organizers of the match, held to celebrate Boon Rawd Brewery’s 80th anniversary, scored an own goal before the game even started by not selling the brand’s marquee product: beer. We’re guessing that this wasn’t Singha Corp’s decision, but the irony of attending a football game to celebrate a brewery’s birthday where you couldn’t savor an ice cold beer was bittersweet.
When the game was announced earlier this year, Manchester United were rumored to be bringing the majority of their stars, but that ended up not being the case. Wayne Rooney landed at Bangkok but immediately hurt his hamstring and went home. Manchester United told Singha an hour before they left for Bangkok that star striker Robin van Persie would not be making the trip. Ashley Young and Nemanja Vidic were injured and Nani and Javier Hernandez reportedly in Manchester.
The arrival of Manchester United at Don Muang airport on Thursday was greeted with jubilation by Thai fans and David Moyes along with veteran player Ryan Giggs visited Siriraj Hospital on Thursday, where His Majesty the King is staying, and laid a bouquet of flowers in front of the King’s image.
The exhibition match, which lets be honest, means absolutely nothing and is no indication as to how David Moyes will do as Manchester United manager, cost some fans up to THB4,000.
TrueVision and Singha, who are sponsors of the Red Devils, set up a “Fun Zone” outside of Rajamangala Stadium so fans – who chose not to wander round the Stadium soaking up the atmosphere in anticipation of watching their heroes on the pitch or congregate on the grass or huddle in long lines in front of the entrance gates – had the chance to spend more money and embrace the sweltering heat by queuing to have their photo taken with cardboard cutouts of the players, visit a TrueVision booth and watch mainly male dancers dance to “Glory, Glory Man United”.
Once inside, a sea of red and the flash of cameras filled the stadium to near its 60,000 capacity. Rio Ferdinand captained the team that started with Danny Welbeck as a lone striker with Anderson in the playmaker role flanked by Ryan Giggs and Belgian teen Adnan Januzaj.
But it was the Singha All Stars, comprised of the best players from the Thai league, who started the brighter and took the game to an out of sorts Manchester United.
Supporters vocally supported both teams and the drab first half was encapsulated by fans losing interest and starting a Mexican wave that raised the biggest cheer prior to Winothai’s goal.
When asked after the game if the result was a bad omen David Moyes replied:
“I hope not, If I was going to lose any games I’m happy to lose these ones, that’s for sure.”
He added: “It wasn’t a brilliant result but I was more pleased with the way the players kept going. We gave a lot of young players an opportunity. I’m disappointed we didn’t get something out of the game.”
Manchester United now head to Sydney, Yokohama, Osaka and Hong Kong.
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Photos: Coconuts Bangkok
