Thailand Vs Newcastle United |
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Date:
Wednesday 14th July 2004
Kick Off: 6.00pm local time (12.00pm UK)
Venue: Rajamangala Stadium Bangkok
Ref: N/A
Comp: Pre-Season Friendly |
| Pre-Season
Match Preview In Association With Toon
Ale |
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The
Season starts here...
Two months after Newcastle's disappointing season ended with a 1-1
draw at Anfield it's that time of year when all the hard work and
preparations for the new Season gets underway.
Like last Summer Newcastle have opted to kick-start the Pre-Season
with a trip to the Far East - obviously a decision made on an economics
basis with the lucrative Asian Market an objective of United's.
Much was made of our trip to Malaysia last Summer and our poor start
to the Season was blamed in many quarters for the long trip so naturally
the critics are out in force questioning another long, tiring trip
in physically demanding heat but from a business perspective Newcastle
have to make these trips and the players who are rumoured to be unhappy
at traveling to Asia ought to realise that these trips help pay their
wages - especially when other revenue streams (Champions League Football)
aren't forthcoming due to their poor performances on the pitch.
We have a growing fan-base in Asia and I'm sure our Asian friends
welcome these Tour's as much as we welcome a 3.00pm Saturday kick-off
at St. James' Park - the club has to cater for these markets, like
Freddy Shepherd said himself; if we weren't over there, some other
club would be.
Concerns regarding the mental and physical drain that such a trip
can take on players is a legitimate concern but a poor excuse for
those blaming last Season's inaugural FA Premier League Asia Cup out
in Malaysia as a reason for our poor start.
Having flown out two weeks earlier than we did last season the players
should have all the time to recuperate that they need and a good hard
work out may be the kick up the arse that some of our players need
- I'm excited just doing this match preview because it's the start
of the beginning of our new Season. If this Tour helps pay the wages
for some of our players then it's more than a worthwhile exorcise.
Good luck to the lads out in the Far East.
Bobby has named the following 21-man squad:
Given, Harper, Caig, Bramble, Bernard, Hughes, Taylor, Elliott, O'Brien,
Bowyer, Speed, Robert, Ambrose, Milner, McClen, Jenas, Guy, Brittain,
Chopra, Ameobi, Shearer.
Those missing are Bellamy (injury), Woodgate (injury), Dyer (extended
holiday) and Viana who is on compassionate leave apparently.
James Milner is expected to make his debut against Thailand from the
start and Bobby could go with the following 11:
Given, Hughes, Bramble, O'Brien, Bernard, Ambrose, Bowyer, Milner,
Robert, Shearer, Ameobi.
If, as expected Gary Speed is to leave Newcastle this Summer Bobby
will be hesitant to risk the Welshman by starting him in case he picks
up an injury. Speed also played in a few Wales friendlies prior to
Euro 2004 so has had less time-off than most of the others. The idea
is to give the '1st-team' a run out and then give the 'squad' players
a run out in the final game against Kitchee on Sunday - giving the
'1st-team' longer to recuperate.
The Thailand National Team are getting better and better (as are most
Asian teams) and they will represent tough opposition for Newcastle.
Quick, technically very good and excellent athletes they will cause
us problems and will, you imagine, see far more of the ball.
In recent years they have played against Manchester United, Liverpool,
Bayern Munich, Middlesbrough, PSV and Real Madrid so they will be
used to European opposition and will want to beat Newcastle. This
game is a serious game for them, it's a build-up game to the Asian
Cup finals in China.
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The
Rajamangala National Stadium, situated in Thailand's
capital Bangkok will play host to Newcastle's first match in
our week long Far East Tour against Thailand's National side.
The Stadium has a 65,000 capacity and is the pride and joy of
Bangkok's Sporting Arena's. With a 65,000 capacity and large
swooping open style stands the pitch is quite some distance
from the fans.
The Stadium was built for Thailand's King, Bhumibol Adulyadej's
60th birthday and was completed in 1998. Situated next to the
ground are two large swimming pools, a multi-sports hall with
a seating capacity of 6,000 for basketball competitions, as
well as a shooting center giving Bangkok impressive sporting
facilities.
The Rajamangala has been host to major international events
including the 1998 Asian Games, Olympic qualifiers and other
equally important events too. |
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