September 17, 2004

His players danced around in whooping glee, fans & well-wishers spilled into the pitch & the media teemed by the sidelines, ever-hungry for words from the new kings of the S-League.

But Vorawan Chitavanich's first move after referee Shamsul Maidin blew full-time on his side's 3-0 win over Albirex Niigata - sealing their first ever title - was not to join in the celebratory pandemonium.

The Thai coach instead kept to his post-match ritual, walking over to the opposite bench to shake the hands of Albirex team manager Bogdan Brasoveanu & his Japanese counterpart Hiroshi Ohashi, with only a warm smile betraying the emotions within him.

It was a measure of the man; ever the calming influence when the team needed it.

Vorawan has turned out to be what the Stags had needed all these years as such has been Vorawan's influence on this team it has led them all the way to the title. The team needed not another star name, of which there already is a constellation already, but a coach with the abilities to earn the respect & hearts of the players

Vorawan in the post-match celebration speech said the title is the result of hard work throughout the year & the players have finally realise why they had been pushed so hard in training as it is all worth it now with title won.

Asked how it felt to be coach of the champions, he was at a loss for words saying it is his first title & he is speechless

Later he remarked it is the best time of his life & for the first time he allowed his emotions to take over as tears dropped down