2025-07-14, 04:40 AM - Word count:
Krung Thep FC vs Montreal United 2-4 
Montreal was away for this game against Krung Thep who had proven themselves last season as a formidable team. Climbing up into mid table ranks in their first ever season. What I think is most impressive is how quickly the "bigger" teams learned that a match with Krung Thep is never easy points and that was proven in this game.
Krung Thep came into this game with their asymmetrical 4-3-3. The back line consisting of McGary, Tathille, Skovgaard, Da Silva and the keeper Carrigan. In the midfield they had Stro, Al-Kazmi and Apostle. Finally, their front three were Roger, Patterson and Oliver.
Montreal played the game with their signature 4-2-3-1 CM and DM mix. Clarke, Xavier, King and D.Skovgaard made the back four alongside their keeper Muuno. The midfield duo were Mizukana and A.Skovgaard with Maeddisen playing further up in an attacking role. The two wingers were Takahashi and Sinclair while Predrag acted as the lone striker.
First Half:
6th minute
Like in the last match, Monreal's first big chance came from a Dina corner. However, this time the delivery and execution from the receiving player were not so up to snuff. The ball got bounced and knocked all over the box until it ended up landing at A.Skovgaard's feet, who then blasted it into the net from close range. Not an ideal goal but every advantage is a blessing.
18-19th minute
Montreal would have several more chances but the next goal would come from a counter attack. A series of good passes all the way out from the Montreal defense, to the midfield and finally to the wingers would find Sinclair in the box with the ball. Without being selfish, Sinclair would see that Predrag was in a better position and would pass to him for an easy tap in. Securing the second goal. Unfortunately, all of that would be for naught, as the goal would be deemed offside. OR SO IT WOULD SEEM. Except my dear readers, literally half a minute later, form the very free kick Krung were awarded, a pass would be intercepted and a counter attack would immediately be formed again. Sinclair would find Takahashi, who would find Predrag to actually secure the second goal of the game, for real this time.
28th minute
Krung Thep would find an attack and a chance to get one goal back. Xavier would then make a reckless tackle in the box, getting a yellow card and giving away a penalty. Nearly securing that Krug Thep get a way to crawl back into the game. Patterson would step up to take it, only for Muuno to save the penalty. Keeping the score 2-0.
33rd minute
To add more to the first half chaos, Montreal would get a third goal. From a free kick in the middle, a long ball from King would find it's way to Dobrić. Just like his teammate earlier, Predrag would be unselfish and pass the ball to Takahashi who's smash it into the net for 3-0. It really looked like Montreal would run away with the game completely. A dominant full team performance.
43rd minute
SIKE! This is the SSL, not a farmer's league like the Prem. Just when you thought Krung Thep had no way back into the game, Xavier commits a second bad foul after already being on a yellow. That meant that the only thing he'd be seeing for the rest of the match was red. And with that, Montreal were down a man, and not just anyone, but one of their center backs.
Second Half:
Dave Oliver and Peter Apostle would come off and Billy Eliot and Andre Caetano would come on for Krugn Thep at half time.
58th minute
Krung Thep would start slamming the Montreal defense, knowing that with a man down they could overwhelm them. They would even have several high quality chances but none of them would find the back of the net or even if they did, they would be called offside. A small lucky break would happen for Montreal as Roger would unfortunately get injured. Forcing the Supersub to come on the pitch. A slight breather for Montreal as they try to gather themselves with a man down.
60th minute
Alas, that small break meant nothing for Montreal. A cross from McGary after a throw in would find Patterson's head. The ball would only smack into the post but Eliot was there and ready to pounce, making it 3-1. One step for Krung Thep.
66th minute
During this whole time, Montreal was still trying to attack. It might have been just the club spirit or maybe reckless confidence, but the players believed they could still score more. Unfortunately that would lead to a turn around. Billy Eliot would find so much free space down the right side. He would pass nearly a third of the pitch on his own before crossing the ball from almost the corner flag. The cross would easily find Patterson who'd tap it in for 3-2. Game on.
67th minute
Yes, literally after the kick off. Montreal would find that chance to score again. Their attacking spirit never breaking. Sinclair would pass to Predrag who wasn't able to shoot it in time, but was fouled. B.Skovgaard went in too hard on Predrag and gave away a penalty. Dobrić would step up to take it and...miss. Game was still on!
86th minute
Krung Thep just kept piling on the pressure. Wanting to score that third goal and get that sweet point they've worked so hard for. Unfortunately for them, you already saw the score at the start of this article. Just like that second goal that was disallowed, this action would start all the way from the defense. Who'd pass it to the LB, who'd pass it to the midfield, who'd pass it to the RB, who'd pass it to the RW. Sinclair would pass it back to Dina who'd finally cross it to Predrag. He tried to head it into the goal to redeem himself for the penalty but the shot was saved, only to bounce back to Sinclair, who's selflessness at the start of the game was payed off. Smashing it in for 4-2. Game over.
Final review:
YIKES. That was way closer than it needed to be. Yes, it's clear Xavier's red card completely shifted the game tempo. But at the same time, it was Montreal attacking with 10 men that kept giving chances away to Krugn Thep. BUT, then again it was that willingness to attack with 10 men even in the dying minutes of the game that gave Montreal the fourth goal and secured their win. This game was a lot of things but boring was certainly not one of them.
Player of the match: Takeda Takahashi
A goal, an assist and two big chances. He was a big reason why Montreal's attack was able to keep up, even if the didn't have the flashiest highlights of the game.
Match to forget: Matias Xavier
From hero in last match to villain in this one. It's just what happens when you get a red. It's clear that with him Montreal was a lot more stable and could afford to play their aggressive style. Without him it turned into a shoot out.
At the end of the day, a win is a win and cards don't carry over so Xavier will be back to support the team in the next game. Montreal just have to keep up the quality of their game day in and day out and they might once again hold that Minor league trophy.
This article was written by Predrag Dobrić and sponsored by Montreal United.
![[Image: wjZShPO.png]](https://i.imgur.com/wjZShPO.png)
