'Nowhere is I more at home than in Thailand'
It is not the best time for a magazine like Voetbal International, because the winter break has arrived in the Netherlands. What do you have to talk about again to fill the page. You know what, a smart reporter thought, I can avoid the weather in the Netherlands for a while and arrange a trip to Thailand. At least two Dutch people play football there in the Thai league and who knows, there will be quite a nice story.
Not hindered by any knowledge of the country or Thai football, he arrives in the “Land of Smiles” and meets Adnan Barakat and Melvin de Leeuw (see photo). Who?, you will say Yes, I hardly knew them either. They are not world stars, so the football world will not be upset about what they have to say.
Back in the Netherlands, the reporter looks at his brief notes and knows that he has to make a catchy opening to interest the critical readers of the high-profile magazine Voetbal International, which was once under Johan Derksen's reign. He starts with the headline “Nine as in my place as in Thailand” and the roaring opening:
“One plays football for the police club, the other for that of the army. And although Thailand and corruption go hand in hand, a bomb sometimes explodes in Bangkok and match fixing is spoiling the Thai Premier League, Adnan Barakat (33) and Melvin de Leeuw (27) are very happy in the Land of Smiles.
It is a daily recurring ritual, Melvin de Leeuw cleverly maneuvering his scooter through the traffic jams of Bangkok. On his way to Army United, sports bag on his back, big smile on his face. Last year, the Brabant striker languished at Ross County in the Scottish Highlands. "There are more important things in life than football," he tweeted. Now, ten thousand kilometers from home, in the Thai metropolis where all the joys of life come together for the bachelor, the footballer is happy.”
Unfortunately, I cannot tell you what the article says otherwise, because then I would first have to subscribe to VI-Premium. Only then will I get full access to these kinds of exclusive football stories. I need it and don't even want to read it, because the tenor is already established in the quotes mentioned above.
The reporter (also single?) has fully enjoyed Bangkok with the two football players, “where all the joys of life come together” and the pub talk that has taken place in the meantime gives you a good view of Thai football, as stated in the first paragraph.
I would be surprised if the reporter tells a little more about the Thai Premier League, in which not only army and police teams play. Nor will he have mentioned Thailand's national team, which has made quite a leap up the FIFA World Ranking list this year and is still in contention to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The two football players cannot be blamed for the reporter's gossip. Two pretty nice men, who didn't make it as a less than mediocre football player in the Netherlands and when they realized that both went on an adventure into the wide world. One went first to Baku in Azerbaijan, the other to Ross County in Scotland. Somehow they ended up in Thailand and it is not difficult to imagine that both footballers are now “overjoyed” here.
The fact that Melvin at Army United, who play in the bottom half of the Premier League, has not been lined up for months (injured or passed?) and Adnan is not exactly making headlines now, is irrelevant. They are football players in Thailand and although many football players in the Dutch top class will turn their noses up at the salary they earn in Thailand, Adnan and Melvin enjoy "all the joys of life" in Bangkok as bachelors. Long live the fun!
And the reporter? Well, he had a nice trip to Thailand and will be sent back to Oss or Leeuwarden after the winter break.
Source of quotes: www.vi.nl/premium-promo/nergens-zo-op-mn-plek-als-in-thailand-1.htm
Very well typified Gringo. I too had read this article with increasing amazement. I do have access to VI Premium, so could read the whole story.
Unfortunately I have to conclude, I think with you, that magazine VI has certainly not improved since the departure of mustachemans. On the contrary. The weak, meaningless articles pile up and up. As long as there's some filling, at least that's how I see it. Soon I will no longer need access to VI Premium.
The level of the article is like the level of Dutch football, sad.
At least they still play with some enthusiasm in the TPL, you can't say that about the premier league and the level in the jupiler league is so low not to mention entourage at all. Think that the salary level is quite nice in the TPL by the way (for Thai standards) otherwise there wouldn't be so many foreigners playing I assume...
I saw Buriram play against the Chinese from, I thought, Guangzhou last year and it was quite nice to watch. Chonburi is my club
Hmm, a strange connection is made between the VI reporter's visit to Thailand and the Dutch football winter break, which would be a tough time for VI. After all, the article appeared before the winter break in the Christmas issue 51/52 of VI. Is that article all nonsense? When reading the VI article, I could not suppress a raised eyebrow at the following, illuminatingly cheerful quote regarding the famous terrorist attack in Bangkok: “'I play football for the army club. They currently have power in Thailand and they immediately noticed what had happened. We were immediately taken off the field and sent home. I didn't hear the explosion itself, but it was ..." Whether they earn a lot or a little, it remains remarkable who our football players and coaches associate with abroad to pursue their hobby/profession. For example, our former (and otherwise sympathetic) national coach Bert van Marwijk has no problem helping to uphold the honor of Saudi Arabia, where several heads are chopped off by order of the authorities. Not only the heads of capital criminals, but also of bloggers who give their rather decent opinions about Islam, democracy, etc. You can say that a football magazine should only be about the sport of football, but it cannot be denied that football is involved in much more is, especially the honor of a country, the feeling of the people; and, for example, the prestige of social groups such as the army, the police, etc.
Totally agree with Jan. It is indeed an original item. Not only because of the fact that two Dutchmen play for clubs in Thailand of the army and the police respectively, but also that they tell more than just football.
Advice: spend a few cents for the full article and only then judge.
I think there is another Dutchman playing in the Thai league; Sergio van Dyke. Officially naturalized as an Indonesian in the meantime, but that was to play for the Indonesian national team. Sergio van Dijk has also played with various sub-top players in the Netherlands.
A fun adventure for retired European and South American football players, as well as a handful of Filipino and Korean ball artists. I occasionally enjoy watching Buriram United and the level is entertaining. But Barcelona need not worry just yet…