Theerapong shows Red Devils the way

Big Cola was thinking big when it came up with its “Win a Penalty Shootout With Joe Hart” competition, and hot-shot Theerapong was determined to grab the chance of glory when he faced off against the Manchester City and England No 1 last week.

The competition was a hit with the region’s football fans, drawing more than 200,000 followers in six weeks on its Facebook page. Theerapong, 29, joined two other Thai winners along with three counterparts from the Philippines. Their challenge last week was a big one: outwit the 25-year-old Hart, widely regarded as one of the world’s best goalkeepers.

The imposing six-foot-five-inches Hart saved shot after shot at City’s Carrington complex until Theerapong stepped up to take his third penalty and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner. 

His reward came during Sunday’s match, which lived up to its billing as one of the highlights of the Premier League season. Accompanied by members of the Thai media, the Thai Big Cola competitors arrived at Manchester City’s home ground nearly two hours before the kick-off in order to avoid the expected heavy traffic.

The gates were opened to City fans an hour ahead of kick-off and most of the growing crowd opted either to browse the club’s store or meet up with friends at the beer zones around the ground. As they sipped their pints, they watched giant screens showing replays of City’s past goal-scoring efforts against their bitter local rivals United.

There was no question which was their favourite. Loud cheers greeted each replay of Edin Dzeko’s goal which capped the 6-1 win over United last season, followed by chants “it should have been 10”.

Fans cheered player’s names as City’s line-up was announced, with controversial striker Mario Balotelli getting an extra-loud roar. More cheers came when home-team legend Joe Corrigan appeared on the big screen, reminding fans that City had never lost to United during his six years between the posts.

Things seemed to indicate that it this might be a day for another Joe in the City goal to play a decisive part. But instead, it was City manager Roberto Mancini’s selection of Balotelli that seemed to contribute to their first defeat of the season.

Inside the stadium, home fans welcomed the visitors with a banner that read “Cham61on”, referring to the tennis-score-like result last October. But, silence soon descended on the venue as forward Wayne Rooney’s brace put United in control at half-time.

Home fans probably welcomed the half-time whistle – as did the Thai trio, who stepped onto the Etihad pitch for the trophy presentation and fulfilled many fans’ lifelong dream.

Theerapong received his trophy from City legend Mike Summerbee in a moment that will undoubtedly live long in his memory. He was applauded by fans watching the ceremony on the big screens.

In the second half, the game became a typically fierce derby battle, with a rejuvenated City quickly pushing the visitors onto the back foot. The home team’s marked improvement coincided with the introduction of crowd favourite Carlos Tevez for the ineffective Balotelli.

With the battle on the pitch intensifying after Yaya Toure halved the deficit, the heat spread to the stands close to where the Thai group were sitting. Home fans suddenly turned on four supporters suspected of being Manchester Utd fans. The ensuing bust-up almost escalated into an all-out brawl before a steward quickly intervened to chaperone the quartet away. The stadium then shook to its foundations as Pablo Zabaleta drew City level with four minutes remaining. But, there was a sting in the tail for home fans in the stoppage time when Robin Van Persie scored the winner from a deflected free-kick.

As United players celebrated in front of the away section, Rio Ferdinand taunted the City fans by cupping his ears in their direction. Their answer was swift. A missile, believed to be a coin, was thrown from the crowd and struck the defender just above his eye.