Weekend Review 17-18 November

International Friendly
Thailand 5-0 Bangladesh

Thailand will enter the AFF Cup in a confident state of mind after they enjoyed their second 5-0 friendly success of the week. It was far too easy for the national favourites with star striker Teerasil scoring a hat-trick on his return to the firing line. As with the Bhutan friendly last Wednesday, the game was over as a contest within a few minutes. Sompong got the faintest of touches to a Pichitphong free kick before Teerasil fired his treble past the unconvincing Bangladesh keeper. Samut Songkhram's Napat bagged his second goal in consecutive matches as Thailand completed the 5-0 beating.
The Thais will entertain the Philippines at the Rajamangala next Saturday as they begin their AFF Cup campaign. The opening match will be quickly followed by games against Myanmar and Vietnam.

Division 2 Playoffs
(Group A)
Pattani P-P Paknampo NSRU
Ayutthaya 1-1 Roi Et Utd
Phitsanulok 1-0 Rayong Utd

An injury time blooper from Theerapong allowed Roi Et Utd to snatch a point at Ayutthaya. The keeper allowed a speculative shot from Naronglit to squirm through his legs as the game entered stoppage time. It was a fiercely fought contest throughout and Justin Herve's 70th minute header looked to have won the match as Ayutthaya pressed home their second half dominance. The point apiece keeps both sides in the top two with Ayutthaya on 14 points and Roi Et on 10.
Behind Roi Et, it's becoming log jammed with three sides now on eight points. The game between Pattani and NSRU was postponed until Tuesday evening much to the disapproval of NSRU. Apparently the Rainbow Stadium wasn't available to host the match.
Phitsanulok's promotion hopes appeared dead and buried a fortnight ago, but two home wins have propelled the northern club to within two points of the top two. Beak Soo Hyun's looping shot on the hour was the only goal of the game. The win for Phitsanulok moved them level with the Elephant Warriors on eight points.

(Group B)
Trat 3-2 Thai Honda
Rayong FC 1-1 Trang
Sisaket Utd 0-2 Chiang Mai FC

Trat have one foot inside the Division 1 door after they won in Round 7 whilst their nearest two challengers, Sisaket Utd and Rayong FC, failed to pick up three points. Trat squandered a 2 goal lead against bottom club Thai Honda, but were rescued with a late Watcharaphol goal as they picked up three precious points to move five clear at the top.
Meanwhile, Rayong FC were surprisingly held at home by Trang to a 1-1 draw. Sarun gave the Wild Horses the lead on the half hour via a penalty kick before Prawet levelled for Trang 10 minutes later. Rayong couldn't find that all important second goal as they had to settle for a solitary point.
That result would have pleased Chiang Mai FC as they crept into promotion contention with an impressive 2-0 win at Sisaket Utd. Goals from Aliou Seck and Chanatphol ensured that the Lanna Tigers closed to within two points of Sisaket Utd and Rayong FC.