Weekend Review 24-25 March

TPL
Isan Utd 2-1 Osotspa Saraburi
TOT 0-2 Army Utd
Chainat 1-1 Wuachon Utd
Pattaya 1-0 BEC Tero
TTM 0-0 Chiang Rai Utd
Bangkok Glass 0-0 Chonburi
Muangthong Utd 5-1 Thai Port
Samut Songkhram 1-0 Police Utd
Buriram Utd 3-0 BBCU

Burning effigies

It's business as usual as the last two champions of the TPL lead the way on six points. Buriram United could afford to rest several first teamers in their 3-0 victory over BBCU. Muangthong United showed they are the real deal as they disposed of the lacklustre Thai Port 5-1. Bangkok Glass and Chonburi kept in check with a point each in a 0-0 draw at the Leo Stadium.

Razor wire

Isan United won their first match in their new lodgings at the Tung Barupa Stadium by beating Osotspa 2-1. However, it was the events off the field which unsuitably took center stage. Prior to the match, security was beefed up and razor and barb wire were put around the vicinity of the stadium to deter unwanted Sisaket fans from causing trouble. It should be noted that during the match there were plenty of non-protesting Sisaket followers behaving themselves impeccably inside the stadium.  Just before half time though, a group of Sisaket fans carrying banners and megaphones turned up outside the away end and set alight a couple of effigies with Isan Utd tops. My feelings are with the Kouprey faithful, but this charade is not a good advert for Thai football!!
Anyway back to the action. There were wins for Pattaya, Army United and Samut Songkram while the games between Chainat v Wuachon and TTM and Chaing Rai ended in draws.

Division 1
Sriracha 4-1 Bangkok FC
Pattalung 3-2 Khon Kaen
Ratchaburi 1-1 Korat
Siam Navy 2-2 Songkla
FC Phuket 1-1 Raj Pracha
Chantaburi 2-2 JW Rangsit
Krabi 1--1 PTT Rayong
Air Force Utd 2-3 Bangkok Utd
Saraburi 0-1 Suphanburi

After two matches Pattalung and Suphanburi still have perfect records having taken a full 6 points from their first two games. If you want entertainment, then Pattalung appear to be the team to see. Their first two games have conjured up 11 goals. On Saturday they raced into a 3-0 half-time lead against Khon Kaen, but had to hold on nervously in the second period after conceding two goals. Suphanburi etched out a 1-0 win at Saraburi with a goal from Nawin to maintain their 100% winning record.
At the other end of the table, it's been a slow start for Bangkok FC, Saraburi and Air Force who prop up the league on zero points. The Bulligans will be disheartened to have started the season badly after well-provided investment was made in the close season. They might argue that they've played both games away from home against tough opposition. Next up for Bangkok FC is another tricky one against PTT Rayong. It is at home though, so a point must be the minimum requirement. Saraburi have had two difficult openers against Khon Kaen and Suphanburi, so form will be expected to be picked up once they have easier fixtures. The same could be said for Air Force who have lost to promotion candidates, Korat and Bangkok United.

Division 2 Bangkok
Luk Isan 0-0 North Bangkok
Thai Honda 3-2 Central Lions
Nontaburi 1-2 Customs United
Samut Prakarn Utd 2-1 Bangkok Christian
Assumption Thonburi 0-0 Globex
Krung Thonburi 0-1 Kasetsart
R-BEC 3-1 Samut Sakhon
Kasem Bundit 2-2 Rangsit FC
Prachinburi FC 0-0 Chamchuri Utd

Chamchuri dropped their first points of the season as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Prachinburi. Nonetheless they still have a three point cushion on last year's relegated sides, R-BEC and Thai Honda. The youthful R-BEC are the league's highest scorers with 15 goals. Thai Honda have quietly gone about their business and sit in third place. The other relegated team, CustomsUtd, beat ailing Nontaburi 2-1 to move themselves into mid-table.

* A big thank you to Thai Port Blogspot for providing the two photos. If you'd like to catch up on the latest news from Thai Port or read more on the Isan Utd v Osotspa game, then I recommend that you check out: http://thaiportfc.blogspot.com/