Thai FA Cup Draw Round 2

Phuket v Ratchaburi
Rayong FC v PTT Rayong
Siam Navy v Singh Tarua
Bangkok Glass v Chonburi
Muangthong Utd v Songkhla Utd
TOT v Police Utd
Buriram Utd v Chainat
Samut Songkhram v TTM
Phatthalung v Nakhon Ratchasima
Chiang Rai Utd v Khon Kaen
Suphanburi v Army Utd
Sisaket v Bangkok FC
Osotspa Saraburi v Nonthaburi
Trat v BBCU
BEC Tero v Pattaya Utd
Bangkok Utd v Prachuab

Ties to be played on 26 June.

Sunday 28 April Review

TPL 
Bangkok Glass 1-0 Army Utd
Chainat 1-1 BEC Tero
Suphanburi 0-1 Chonburi
TOT 1-1 Ratchaburi

The scoreboard from Sunday has the look of something you might expect to see on a binary card. Chonburi and Bangkok Glass were the two winners with their pair of them posting 1-0 victories. Natthapong's first half goal for Chonburi extended their wining sequence to four and at the same time inflicted Suphanburi's first defeat of the season.
Goran Jerkovic bagged the goal for Bangkok Glass to move them five points away from the relegation zone. The 1-0 loss at the Leo Stadium was Army's first since the second week of the season.
The games at TOT and Chainat both ended in 1-1 draws. At TOT, both form players from each side found the target with Rattana's second half goal cancelling out Noppol's first half lead for TOT.
Managerless BEC Tero were grateful for Sho Shimoji's second half strike as the Fire Dragons attained a point at Chainat. Somjet had given the Hornbills the lead on the half hour mark and the same man left the field 15 minutes from the end after he picked up two yellow cards.


Division 1
BBCU 1-1 PTT Rayong
Saraburi 4-1 Bangkok FC
Siam Navy 1-0 Rayong FC
Sriracha 3-1 Krabi

It was all square between BBCU and PTT Rayong which was good enough to move the duo back into the top two positions. Pichit's second half penalty was his sixth goal of the campaign and levelled maters after PTT had taken a first half advantage.
Any thoughts that Bangkok FC have of being promoted will most likely have been shelved for the time being after they were humbled 4-1 at Saraburi. Maro Neto claimed a brace helping Saraburi move up to mid-table.
Sriracha are also moving in the right direction. Rawet scored twice for the Blue Marlins while Tanet caught the Krabi keeper off his line to score with a long range free kick. Krabi did pull a goal back but they lost their discipline late on with two players being sent off.
In the final game, it ended Siam Navy 1-0 Rayong FC. Walther was given a straight red for Rayong after a deliberate hand ball on the line before Pornpracha tucked away the resultant penalty. Anukorn then joined Walther in the away dressing room after a wild kick at an opponent.

Saturday 27 April Review

TPL

Bangkok United 4-0 Pattaya Utd
Buriram Utd 3-1 Police Utd
Muangthong Utd 2-1 Chiang Rai Utd
Songkhla Utd 1-1 Samut Songkhram

Muangthong Utd and Buriram Utd earned routine home wins before they face their last AFC group games on Wednesday. Goals from Sarawut and Dagno Siaka helped MTU come from behind to move them four points clear at the top. The Thunder Castle do have a game in hand and they had to be patient before three second half goals saw off Police Utd 3-1.The impressive Patino scored two headers before Carmelo took advantage of some pub league defending to make it 3-0. Surachart was given a red before Pokkhao grabbed a late consolation for the Crimson Cops.
Bangkok United's season finally kicked off as they sent a hapless Pattaya side packing 4-0. The official TPL site credited Sompong with a hat-trick and Gasmi with the other, but I'm pretty sure Sompong didn't get a touch on the second goal and it should have been awarded to Gasmi. Regardless of who gets credited for the goals, it should be noted that Romain Gasmi was involved in all four them.
That win lifted the Bangkok Angels out of the drop zone above Pattaya and Samut Songkhram but the Mae Khlong side would have been pleased that Gilbert Koomson's equalizer earned them a decent point down at Songkhla United.

Division 1

Air Force 2-1 Phuket
Ayutthaya 1-0 Nakhon Pathom Utd
Khon Kaen 1-1 Singh Tarua
Rayong Utd 1-1 Nakhon Ratchasima
Trat 3-2 TTM

Air Force won the big game of the day to move to the top of the table. Thongchai gave Phuket the lead in first half stoppage time, but Air Force fought back with second half goals from Sirodom and Julius Oiboh to help them complete the comeback in the 2-1 win.
Singh Tarua also had to come from behind to earn a point at Khon Kaen. Ekachai's goal cancelled out Adisak's opener as Tarua joined Air Force on 16 points.
Didier Sohna levelled twice for TTM yet that wasn't enough for any points as goals from Rattaporn, Toth and Raymond moved Trat into the top half.
It was also a good day for fellow promoted side Ayutthaya as they finally tasted victory for the first time in Division 1. An own goal midway through the second period was the only goal of the match.
Rayong United couldn't make it a hat-trick of home wins for the newbies as they were held 1-1 by Nakhon Ratchasima. Korat old boy Valci Junior gave the hosts an early lead, but Apiwat drew the Swatcats level as full time was approaching.

Muangthong United 2-1 Chiang Rai United

Muangthong United remain at the top of the TPL after a 2-1 victory over Chaing Rai United.

In the 12^th minute, Mario Djurovski had a number of the West Stand on their feet celebrating, only for them to realize seconds later that his curled free kick had hit the side netting. 

Despite that, it was Chiang Rai United who opened the scoring minutes later when a through ball released Kyle Nix who then dinked the ball over the advancing Weera. The ball tantalizingly bounced towards the empty net with Phichitpong ‘s desperate effort to clear the ball being in vain as the guests took the lead.

That 1-0 advantage only lasted for barely five minutes as Pichitpong won possession in the center of the park and then set up Sarawut to cut inside his marker to rifle home.

Muangthong probably shaded the first 45 minutes, but it was Chiang Rai who had the best chances at the beginning of the second period. 

First up, Anon rounded Weera, but his shot was thwarted for a corner, and then the same man’s header hit the bar and then bounced off the rear of Weera before the keeper grabbed it in the nick of time on the line. 

The decisive goal of the match came in the 70^th minute. Teerasil played in Sarawut and he put the ball across the goal invitingly for Dagno Siaka to tap into an open net.

With ten minutes left, a right footed Datsakorn free kick hit the underside of the bar, and then bounced down invitingly for Dagno, but he somehow couldn't connect as Muangthong saw out the remaining time to win 2-1. 

It was a tough win for the Kirins, but they probably just deserved to win it. Chiang Rai fought well and I’m sure they’ll pull away from the bottom of the table sooner rather than later.

Man of the Match: Sarawut Masuk – Scored one and set one up

Matchday 8 Fixtures & Brief Season Analysis

TPL

(Saturday)
Bangkok Utd v Pattaya Utd
Buriram Utd v Police Utd
Muangthong Utd v Chiang Rai Utd
Songkhla Utd v Samut Songkhram

(Sunday)
Bangkok Glass v Army
Chainat v BEC Tero
Sisaket P-P Osotspa Saraburi
Suphanburi v Chonburi
TOT v Ratchaburi

With the exception of Suphanburi, the top of the TPL table has a familiar look to it now that the runners have left the starting gate and the field has evened itself out.
Current champions Muangthong United lead the way and it appears to be a two horse race between themselves and Buriram United for the title. Once both sides can concentrate on the home front rather than mixing it up with AFC action, I expect them both to strengthen their grip at the top.
BEC Tero, who have parted ways with coach Stephane Demol this week, and Chonburi should scrap it out for third and fourth place while Suphanburi would realistically see a top 6 finish as being a decent return in their first season back in the top flight.
The main body of the chasing group between Army Utd in 6th and Osotspa Saraburi in 13th already has that look of not being good enough to challenge the Top 4 yet at the same time having too much in their armoury to be dragged into affairs at the wrong end of the table.
At the lower reaches of the league, Bangkok Glass and Chiang Rai United sit in the bottom 6, but I expect them to pull away from danger after tough starts on and off the pitch. It's the other four of Samut Songkhram, Pattaya Utd, Bangkok United and Sisaket who I worry for. Sisaket's immediate problems are being played out in the courtroom so they'll have to sort them out before anything can be addressed on the playing front. The other three have looked fairly inadequate at times and their biggest aim now is to limp through to the next transfer window without getting cut too far adrift from the main pack. Then, they'll be able to plough into the transfer market with whatever funds they have available.

Division 1

(Saturday)
Air Force Utd v Phuket
Ayutthaya v Nakhon Pathom Utd
Khon Kaen v Singh Tarua
Rayong Utd v Nakhon Ratchasima
Trat v TTM

(Sunday)
BBCU v PTT Rayong
Saraburi v Bangkok FC
Siam Navy v Rayong FC
Sriracha v Krabi

At present the promotion race strikes you that it will be a four way battle between PTT Rayong, BBCU, Singh Tarua and Phuket for the three TPL spots. PTT probably have the best squad out of the four while Phuket have the match winners that can produce the goods when required. BBCU seem solid yet unspectacular with the dominating Bouba Abbo being the pivotal point of the team whereas Tarua so far have been mainly reliant on the silky skill of Leandro Luz to provide them with their wins.
Air Force and Bangkok FC probably shouldn't be written out of the picture either. Air Force can boast the best defensive record in the league with only one goal conceded, yet will need to improve at the other end as they've netted only five from seven. Bangkok FC have been slightly inconsistent and need to find a run of form to propel them anywhere near the top 3. The only other side that I can see moving up the table towards the Top 6 is Sriracha although they have a lot of ground to make up after an indifferent start.
Division 1 to me doesn't seem to have the same quality that it's had in the past few seasons and I think a lot of this has to do with the standard of the four promoted sides. In the past three years, clubs have come up from the regional leagues and fast-tracked themselves through Division 1 to the TPL. This time, all four promoted sides are currently positioned in the bottom half of the table. Trat should be able to consolidate, but for the other three (Rayong Utd, Rayong FC, Ayutthaya), it's going to be a long grind. TTM, Khon Kaen, Siam Navy and Saraburi have also failed to find any decent momentum while the two Nakhons and Krabi will probably win as many games as they will lose to nestle themselves into the sanctuary of mid-table.

Thai FA Cup Round 1 Results

Air Force 0-1 Phuket
Bangkok FC 2-1 Ang Thong
BBCU 5-0 Lampang
Nakhon Pathom Utd 2-2 Nonthaburi (4-5 pens)
Nakhon Ratchasima 4-0 Chachoengsao
Narathiwat Utd 1-1 Siam Navy (2-3 pens)
Phatthalung 1-0 Samut Sakhon
Prachuab 3-1 Ayutthaya
PTT Rayong 2-0 Rayong Utd (AET)
Rayong FC 2-1 Sriracha
Samut Prakan Utd 1-2 Khon Kaen
Singh Tarua 8-1 Thai Honda
Trat 2-1 Krabi
TTM 2-0 Saraburi

Bunyajinda Stadium

I was at the TTM v Saraburi tie to witness TTM's first victory of the 2013 season. Vigan latched onto a through ball from the middle of the park to open the scoring before a Aleksander free kick sealed the contest midway through the second half. Narongsak should have done better with his first half effort and Julio Ceser came close in the second for Saraburi, but overall it was a deserved win for TTM.
Phatthalung, Nonthaburi and Prachuab are the only three regional league sides left in the competition. The Swiftlets edged out Samut Sakhon 1-0 while Prachuab sent struggling Ayutthaya packing with a 3-1 victory. Nonthaburi eventually prevailed after a penalty shoot out saw them oust Nakhon Pathom.
Heavy home victories for Singh Tarua and BBCU somewhat highlighted the difference between the grades as Thai Honda and Lampang were trounced.

Buriram United 1-1 Vegalta Sendai

It was heartbreak for Buriram United when Vegalta Sendai snatched an undeserved point deep into injury time.

The opening 45 minutes was very scrappy with several fouls breaking up any flow to the match. Poor quality was being delivered into the final third as it passed by without much to excite the spectators.

Nonetheless, the best chance of the first half came just shy of the interval when a Hirano cross was met at the near post by Surat, but his header fizzed about half a meter wide of the target.

Eight minutes after the break Buriram got the break they were looking for when Osmar got a faint touch to a whipped in Theerathorn free kick to give the Thunder Castle a 1-0 lead.

The goal was the catalyst to lift the spirits of the Thai side. Just after the hour, a Carmelo Gonzalez shot from the edge of the box scraped the edge of the post as Buriram pressed for another goal.

In the 70th minute, Buriram should really have doubled their advantage when they countered following a Vegalta Sendai corner. Carmelo's pass found Ekkachai with a run in on goal, but the former Thai Port man's shot was scuffed straight into Takuto's grasp.

With eight minutes left on the clock, Theerathorn was denied by the crossbar as his curling free kick from the right flank crashed onto it.

Yet again another counter from the Thunder Castle in the last minute of normal time should have resulted in the decisive goal after Hirano and Carmelo linked up, but Carmelo's effort went agonisingly wide of the post.

With Buriram spurning all of these chances there was always the feeling that it would come back to haunt them. In the 93rd minute, Siwaruk, who'd been a virtual spectator for the whole game, weekly punched away a cross form the right which was then subsequently volleyed home by substitute Nakahara Takayuki for an undeserved equalizer.

At the end of the match, Buriram were gutted that they didn't collect the three points that their second half performance merited. The injury time goal was the first that they've conceded at home in this AFC campaign and you just have the feeling that it could be the goal that ultimately knocks them out of the competition.

Man of the Match: Osmar Ibanez - Buriram's rock at the back

Sunday 21 April Review

TPL
Army Utd 1-1 Suphanburi
BEC Tero 1-0 Bangkok Glass
Chonburi 1-0 TOT
Police Utd 1-1 Songkhla Utd

It was a fairly quiet Sunday evening in the TPL. Chonburi and BEC Tero both earned 1-0 victories courtesy of own goals to move into position just behind the leaders. The Sharks were grateful for a deflection off Lee Jun Ki while in Minburi Mena's headed own goal in the fifth minute was the difference between Tero and BG
The Tatong brothers were on target for their respectful clubs as Army and Suphanburi drew 1-1, and it was the same scoreline up at the Thammasart between Police and Songkhla United. Chakrit gave the hosts a 1-0 first half advantage before Aron da Silva cancelled that out 14 minutes from time.


Division 1
Krabi 0-1 BBCU
Nakhon Ratchasima 1-1 Saraburi
Phuket 1-0 Khon Kaen
PTT Rayong 1-0 Rayong Utd
TTM 1-1 Ayutthaya

BBCU, PTT Rayong and Phuket all won 1-0 to join Singh Tarua at the top of the league on 15 points. Pipat scored early for PTT in their game against near neighbors Rayong United while BBCU and Phuket left it very late to claim their three points. Dudu was credited with Phuket's goal while Abbo was on target for BBCU.
In the other two games the points were shared in 1-1 draws between Nakhon Ratchasima v Saraburi, and TTM v Ayutthaya. It's fair to say that all four sides haven't fulfilled their expectations so far this term.

Army Utd 1-1 Suphanburi

The Tatong family would have been delighted that both brothers, Wuttichai and Chainarong, were on the score sheet, and that honors were shared at the Royal Thai Army Stadium between Army United and Suphanburi.

It was a bright opening to the match with both sides knocking the ball about confidently after good recent results.

Army had the best chance of the first half when Ngeneve had to be alert to clear the ball off the line after a Mongkol header had deflected off the post.

Three minutes after the interval, Wuttichai Tatong opened the scoring after a pass from the middle of the park set him on his way to score.

Boskovic and Castillo had chances to double the lead for the Suphanblood, but it was Army who were applying most of the pressure albeit with some wayward finishing in front of goal.

Just as it appeared that the hosts were running out of ideas, Anuwat set up Chainarong to fire into the roof of the net to level matters in the 81st minute.

Bireme Diouf could have won it late on, but his cross come shot was mopped up by Daniel Blanco.

The draw moves Suphanburi back into second place and takes their unbeaten run to seven games. Army are now five without a loss and sit in sixth place just behind the big boys.

Man of the Match: Ngenevu Divine - Cool and composed at the back for Suphanburi

Saturday 20 April Round-up

TPL
Chiang Rai Utd 2-2 Buriram Utd
Osotspa Saraburi 1-1 Chainat
Pattaya Utd 0-1 Muangthong Utd
Ratchaburi 1-0 Bangkok Utd

It was a day when red cards influenced the proceedings with three of the four matches seeing a man dismissed.
Muangthong would have been grateful for a scrappy 1-0 win at Pattaya after recent woes. The only goal of the contest was scored by Sarawut in the 35th minute. Pattaya's Parinya was ordered off in injury time after his career threatening lunge at Jakkaphan. Thankfully no damage was done to the winger as cups and other objects rained down on the pitch from the home fans.
Up in Chiang Rai, a red card was to play a pivotal role in the game. It all looked to be going to plan when Anawin gave the Thunder Castle the lead. Suree was then given a second yellow 10 minutes into the second half after he grabbed Leandro Assumcao's shirt as he was advancing on goal. The Brazilian then curled the resultant free kick home to level. A Gonzalez daisy cutter then restored the lead for the 10 men before Anon headed home a late equalizer.
Two wins in a row have moved Ratchaburi up to 11th place while Bangkok United still remain rock bottom. Douglas Cardozo headed the only goal of the game as Ratchaburi won the battle of the recently promoted clubs. Arnisong of Bkk Utd had already been given a second yellow prior to the goal.
It finished 1-1 in the Central Region clash between Osotspa Saraburi and Chainat. Tangeni had a first half goal wrongly ruled out before Jo Tae Kuen gave the Hornbills the lead on the hour. That lead barely lasted 10 minutes as Komenan prodded home the leveller.

Division 1
Bangkok FC 1-1 Trat
Nakhon Pathom Utd 0-2 Air Force
Rayong FC 1-1 Sriracha
Singh Tarua 2-1 Siam Navy

As reported earlier, Singh Tarua moved to the summit of the table after they came from behind to beat Siam Navy 2-1.
In second place sit Air Force who maintained their unbeaten run with an impressive 2-0 win at Nakhon Pathom. Santipap fired the silver clad Airmen in front before Yao Hermann Kouassi rounded off the well deserved victory with a second half tap-in.
The other two matches ended one apiece between Bangkok FC v Trat and Rayong FC v Sriracha. Peerawis fired the Bulligans into the lead as half time was approaching while Labi Kassiaty levelled not long after the restart. In Rayong, both the goals were scored in the opening quarter as the Wild Horses and the Blue Marlins had to settle for a point each.

Singh Tarua 2-1 Siam Navy

Singh Tarua got back to winning ways after they edged out Siam Navy 2-1.

It was the away side who started more brightly at the PAT Stadium despite Tarua having an early Christen goal ruled out for offside.

Chutsana opened the scoring in the 8th minute when he finished off from a tight angle while Tarua players were comically colliding with each other inside their penalty box.

The Sattahip side were passing the ball around neatly, but it was the hosts who struck the next goal. After a bout of head tennis in the middle of the park, Leandro turned and smashed a dipping thunderbolt into the top corner leaving Sitphong in the Navy goal standing motionless. Rather noticeably, the Brazilian then ran off and celebrated by himself while the rest off his team mates congratulated each other in the centre of the park.

Leandro almost gave the hosts the lead shortly afterwards when he curled a free kick from an acute angle off a combination of the bar and the post before it bounced out to safety.

After the break, the home side were in the ascendancy and it looked like the next goal would win the contest.

That all important winning goal came 20 minutes from time when a quality slide rule pass from Kiatjareon found Sarawut who then cut inside his opponent and drove home from inside of the box.

Tarua held out for the 2-1 win as the Navy salvage operation never materialized.

Singh Tarua sit top of the table with 15 points yet I think it's fair to say that many of the Khlong Toei Army are still undecided about their fate this season. The defence looks shaky at times and you just wonder where the goals will come from if Leandro's form dips.

Siam Navy certainly won't feature in the promotion race and a lower mid-table finish appears their destiny.

Man of the Match: Leandro Luz - The spectacular goal alone wins him my MOTM

Songkran Catch-up - Results & Fixtures

Here is a brief catch-up of the midweek results and this weekend's fixtures. As I've been away, I haven't had time to read up on any details.

TPL 

Results
Bangkok Glass 3-0 Osotspa Saraburi
Bangkok Utd 0-2 Chonburi
Chainat 1-0 Samut Songkhram
Muangthong Utd 1-2 Buriram Utd
Pattaya Utd 1-2 Ratchaburi
Songkhla Utd 1-0 Chiang Rai Utd
Suphanburi 1-1 BEC Tero
TOT 0-4 Army Utd

Fixtures
(Saturday)
Chiang Rai Utd v Buriram Utd
Osotspa Saraburi v Chainat
Pattaya Utd v Muangthong Utd
Ratchaburi v Bangkok Utd

(Sunday)
Army Utd v Suphanburi
BEC Tero v Bangkok Glass
Chonburi v TOT
Police Utd v Songkhla Utd
Samut Songkhram ?-? Sisaket

DIVISION 1

Results
Air Force 0-0 TTM
Ayutthaya 1-2 Bangkok FC
BBCU 1-1 Rayong FC
Nakhon Pathon Utd 0-0 Phuket
Rayong Utd 1-2 Krabi
Saraburi 0-1 PTT Rayong
Siam Navy 4-1 Khon Kaen
Sriracha 2-0 Singh Tarua
Trat 3-1 Nakhon Ratchasima

Fixtures
(Saturday)
Bangkok FC v Trat
Nakhon Pathom Utd v Air Force
Rayong FC v Sriracha
Singh Tarua v Siam Navy

(Sunday)
Krabi v BBCU
Nakhon Ratchasima v Saraburi
Phuket v Khon Kaen
PTT Rayong v Rayong Utd
TTM v Ayutthaya

It's That Time of Year Again

There will be no posts over the next 10 days or so, as I'll be outside of Thailand avoiding the water carnage of Songkhran

Whatever you are up too, have a happy and safe Songkhran.

San Francisco Giants

Sunday 7th April Review

TPL
BEC Tero 2-3 TOT
Osotspa Saraburi 0-2 Suphanburi
Police Utd 0-0 Chainat
Samut Songkhram 1-1 Bangkok Glass

Suphanburi must be pinching themselves after their 2-0 win at Osotspa moved them into second place. Two second half headers from Wuttichai won the match for the recently promoted side.
If Suphanburi being in second place after five games has raised a few eyebrows, then TOT sitting just behind them in third has also mildly surprised the Thai football public. Their 3-2 win at BEC Tero was a coupon buster with goals from Noppol, Lee Jun Ki and Panomkorn earning the Laksi side a deserved victory.
The relegation scrap between Samut Songkhram and Bangkok Glass ended 1-1. Chatree finished off a scampering run by youngster Thanasit to give Glass a first half lead but that was cancelled out shortly after the break by Gilbert Koomson's crisp shot. BG would probably have settled for the point after Ekaphan was dismissed on the hour for receiving two yellow cards.
Police and Chainat cemented their mid-table positions as they shared a 0-0 draw at the Thammasart Stadium.


Division 1
Nakhon Ratchasima 1-0 Ayutthaya
Phuket 1-0 Siam Navy
Rayong FC 1-3 Rayong United
Singh Tarua 1-2 BBCU
TTM 0-1 Nakhon Pathom Utd

BBCU and Phuket both moved to within one point of Singh Tarua at the top. A Bouba Abbo double helped BBCU win 2-1 at Singh Tarua while Chana's late strike earned Phuket a hard fought three points.
Valci Junior was the hero as he bagged a hat-trick in the Rayong derby. The 3-1 victory was even more remarkable as Rayong United finished the game with only 9 men. Goalkeeper Chaipipat was red carded in the 35th minute while Supat was ordered off near the end.
Rayong FC remain third bottom and they'll be thankful that Ayutthaya and TTM both succumbed to 1-0 losses to stay below them. A Yuskuke Kato penalty was the difference as Korat beat Ayutthaya 1-0 while Camara Souleymane pounced on a goalkeeping error to see Nakhon Pathom over the line at TTM.

Singh Tarua 1-2 BBCU

BBCU ended Singh Tarua's perfect start to the season winning 2-1 at the PAT Stadium.

The bumper Sunday evening crowd was full of expectation as they entered the PAT Stadium for the 6pm start under the recently upgraded floodlights.

The anticipated home win appeared to be on cards in the 10th minute when Leandro Luz converted a penalty after Moussa Sylla was penalised for a handball.

However, four minutes later, Bouba Abbo produced a sublime piece of skill to level for BBCU. The former Buriram man elegantly controlled a long free kick with his chest before his shot on the turn rifled into the top of the net.

For the rest of the half, it was the away side who looked more likely to add the next goal, but the sides went into the interval tied at 1-1.

Abbo had been a constant threat and he gave Tarua a reminder of his danger shortly after the interval when his shot from the edge of the box skimmed the top of the bar.

In the 56th minute a BBCU counter attack provided Abbo with his second goal. Pichet's through ball caught the Tarua defence off guard allowing Bouba Abbo to fire home under Wachara's body.

Pichit should really have wrapped the game up, but he somehow managed to balloon his shot over the bar from meters out.

Tarua seemed to run out of ideas and the closest they came to levelling was three minutes from time when Kittipong unconvincingly shot straight at the BBCU keeper.

It finished 2-1 with the Pink Panthers deservedly running out winners. Both sides should be in the promotion shake up come November, yet based on this 90 minutes, I'd say BBCU are the better bet for instantly returning to the TPL.

The official attendance was 2,609 but in reality it was probably double that. It's great to see the PAT buzzing again, yet at the same time it also attracts 'halfwits' to the stadium. Some moron threw a shoe at BBCU players as they protested the penalty decision, and there is footage of a so called Singh Tarua fan spitting at the BBCU physio. The perpetrator can be clearly pinpointed on the video clip and let's hope this unsavory character is punished appropriately.

Man of the Match: Bouba Abbo - Too good for this level

http://youtu.be/qApoxSGqtIQ

Saturday 6th April Review

TPL

Army Utd 6-0 Bangkok Utd
Buriram Utd 6-1 Songkhla Utd
Chonburi 5-1 Pattaya Utd
Ratchaburi 0-2 Muangthong Utd

Army Utd, Buriram Utd and Chonburi all submitted emphatic home victories while Muangthong United recovered from a midweek AFC hammering to win 2-0 at Ratchaburi. Djurovski put the league leaders infront in the 20th minute before Teerasil wrapped up the win in the last minute.
Buriram United moved into second position with a 6-1 win over Songkhla United. All six goals were scored by Buriram's Spanish contingent with Carmello claiming the match ball after netting a hat-trick. Recent arrivals, Javier Patino and Juan Quero, also got goals with the Filipino citizen Patino scoring twice.
As reported earlier, Bangkok United's defence was posted missing as they succumbed to a 6-0 drubbing at the Thai Army Stadium. That win moved Army up to fifth.
Pattaya United must have thought that they were on to something when Rachata beat the offside trap to give them an 18th minute lead at the Chonburi Stadium. However Adul levelled shortly afterwards and second half braces from Pipob and Thiago Cunha rounded off a satisfactory evening for the Sharks.

Division 1

Bangkok FC 0-0 Air Force
Khon Kaen 2-0 Sriracha
Krabi 0-0 Saraburi
Trat 1-2 PTT Rayong

It was a slightly more cagey affair in Division one with only 5 goals scored compared to that of 21 in the TPL.
The highest scoring match was a 2-1 win for PTT Rayong at struggling Trat. The Oil Millionaires had to come from behind with goals from Phaisan and Pipat moving them up to third place.
The only other winners on Saturday were Khon Kaen. Matius Recio enhanced his growing cult status with a double to move Khon Kaen out of the relegation places. Although I must say that the dubious goals panel in other leagues would have credited the first goal as an own goal, but in Thailand, it will go down as a Recio goal.
A crowd of 4,173 turned up in Bang Mod to watch Bangkok FC and Air Force fight out a 0-0 draw while down south in Krabi, it was the same result as The Energy couldn't penetrate the Saraburi back line.

Army United 6-0 Bangkok United

Army United thumped Bangkok United 6-0 to win the Din Daeng derby.

The visitors conceded their first goal on five minutes after Jung Myung-Oh sidestepped a defender and let rip from 25 yards. The Korean's shot rebounded off the bar and Anuwat was on hand to net.

Five minutes later, a Lindemann corner from the right was flicked on by Tatree, and Chaiwat headed home for the second.

Bangkok United's closest effort of the game came on 18 minutes after a neat flick up by Gasmi allowed him to shoot from 25 yards, but his effort hit the base of the post.

Army were comfortably on top and Chainarong swivelled to find the bottom corner to convert a Lindemann slide rule pass on the half hour.

In all fairness, Bangkok United had their share of chances in the first hour, but the stuffing was knocked out of them when Mongkol converted Adisorn's square pass in the 73rd minute.

It was then just a matter of "how many" as Bangkok United wilted. Yet again Adisorn was allowed acres of space to burst down the right flank, and his cross was clipped home by Chainarong at the near post for his second of the night and Army's fifth.

With injury time approaching, Tatree finally go into the act knocking in a square pass from Lindemann to complete the rout.

It was an accomplished, professional performance from Army and at times their attacking play was outstanding. The only player who didn't impress me tonight was Mbuta.

On the other side of the coin, Bangkok United were awful and abject at the back and if they want to stay up they have to make themselves hard to beat. If they keep playing a back 4 with Prakasit, Mario, Gilson and Pongpipat, then they will be relegated in my opinion. As usual Romain Gasmi was United's most potent attacking threat and they'll need him to stay fit.

Man of the Match: Jung Myung-Oh - Could have chosen 5 Army players, but he just edged it for me

Matchday 5 Fixtures

TPL

Saturday
Army Utd v Bangkok Utd
Buriram v Songkhla Utd
Chonburi v Pattaya Utd
Ratchaburi v Muangthong Utd

Buriram will play their fourth consecutive home game when they host Songkhla Utd. The Thunder Castle have yet to make a road trip in the TPL this season.

Both Buriram Utd and Muangthong Utd fixtures are sandwiched inbetween ACL matchdays 3 and 4. Muangthong host Guangzhou Evergrande on Tuesday while 24 hours later, Buriram welcome fellow Chinese guests, Jiangsu Sainty.

Ratchaburi and Chonburi were both fined after crowd trouble marred the end of their game last week. Nevertheless, the Dragons weren't punished with any ground closures, and home fans can attend the match with Muangthong.

Army v Bangkok United and Chonburi v Pattaya United could be described as local derbies, or 'super derby match' as you can see in the banner below. However, if we are going on past experiences, don't expect either away side to take more than a couple of hundred fans with them.

Sunday
BEC Tero v TOT
Chiang Rai Utd P-P Sisaket
Osotspa Saraburi v Suphanburi
Police Utd v Chainat
Samut Songkhram v Bangkok Glass

The Sisaket/Esan United saga still continues to rumble on as we await a definitive court ruling. So that means that Chiang Rai United have a free weekend as the match has been postponed. What a fiasco!!

Wichaya Dechmitr was given a one match ban and will miss out against TOT after abusing the referee at Bangkok Utd v BEC Tero last week. The midfielder will have extra time to have his bleached-blond hairdo coiffured at the hair salon this weekend.

Division 1

Saturday
Bangkok FC v Air Force
Khon Kaen v Sriracha
Krabi v Saraburi
Trat v PTT Rayong

Bangkok FC finally take their bow in Bang Mod for the first time this season when they host Air Force. The Bulligans hope to include ex-Suphanburi captain Worawut Wongsawat who has recovered from injury.

John Mary is likely to miss out for Krabi after he injured himself following a motorcycle accident.

Trat FC coach, Praparn Nakpong, will step down after Saturday's game against PTT Rayong.

Sunday
Nakhon Ratchasima v Ayutthaya
Phuket v Siam Navy
Rayong FC v Rayong Utd
Singh Tarua v BBCU
TTM v Nakhon Pathom Utd

After three years of promises, the floodlights at the PAT Stadium have finally been upgraded and Singh Tarua will be able to kick off at 6pm against BBCU.

The first ever meeting between Rayong FC and Rayong Utd takes place on Sunday. Rayong Utd hosted Singh Tarua at Rayong FC's home last weekend so they should be familiar with the surroundings. It will be interesting to see if this local rivalry is a friendly affair or a fiercely contested one.

Ayutthaya coach Tongchai Sukkokee has been given the dreaded vote of confidence by the Ayutthaya board. So, expect this to be his last game in charge.

The TTM Mystery Tour looks to have ended as their brief relationship with Lopburi has ceased to be. The 'Lopburi' tag has been dropped and the club will simply be known as TTM. The Bunyajinda Stadium will host their game this Sunday and sources indicate that this will be their home for the forthcoming future. The Bunyajinda Stadium is the Police Sports Club in Bang Khen.

Guangzhou Evergrande 4-0 Muangthong United

Guangzhou Evergrande were too good for Muangthong United as they ran out 4-0 winners.

It took only four minutes for Guangzhou to threaten the Muangthong goal. A Conca corner was bulleted goalwards by Kim Young Gwon but thankfully Phichitphong was standing by the post to clear the ball.

Teerasil wasn't selected after arriving late in China, and the lone striking role was given to Roland Linz. The Austrian was thwarted in the 13th minute when the Chinese goalkeeper, Zeng Cheng, just beat him to the ball after Artit had knocked the ball towards goal.

The pressure was mounting as the home side tried to penetrate the ultra defensive set up of Muangthong.

Muriqui and Dario Conca both had efforts that went narrowly wide before a Conca corner was glanced onto the bar by Barrios.

The home side were virtually camped inside the MTU half, and another Conca cross from the right found Gao Lin whose header was brilliantly saved by Weera.

The home side had dominated but they were given a sharp reminder to be aware of breakaways on 34 minutes when a a long ball from Djurovski found Linz. The target man rounded the floundering keeper, but Zhao Peng was on hand to block.

Two minutes later Muangthong had another chance to score. Djurovski played a great ball for Sarawut to burst through on goal. However, the former Chamchuri man's flicked shot was saved by Zeng Cheng.

On the stroke of half time, Jakkaphan cut inside from the left and unleashed a shot which Zeng Cheng palmed upwards before it bounced onto the top of the bar and out.

As the players trooped off the pitch at half time, you could tell that Slavisa Jokanovic was far happier than his counterpart Marcelo Lippi.

Whatever the Italian said at half time seemed to work as his side took the lead six minutes after the interval. Gao Lin sent a pinpoint cross over from the right for an unmarked Dario Conca to head home.

On 58 minutes it was game over as the Chinese champions doubled their lead. Muriqui played a swift one-two with Barrios before he calmly passed the ball past Weera into the net.

It was basically damage limitation for the Twin Qilans as Conca drilled a shot wide and Weera made a decent save from Gao Lin after a quick breakaway.

Nevertheless, Djurovski should have pulled a goal back for the Thai side in the 71st minute when he fired over an Artit pull back.

With seven minutes left Gao Lin finally got the goal his performance deserved when a tired Muangthong looking back line played him onside to convert Muriqui's pass.

Muangthong almost grabbed a consolation goal two minutes later after Teerasil looped a header onto the crossbar. The ball bounced back into play and was eventually blasted over by Sarawut.

As full time approached, Teerasil was penalised for grabbing hold of Zang Linpeng's shirt and a penalty was awarded. Conca stepped up, and the little Argentinian's left footed shot predictably found the bottom left hand corner.

That was it as the super rich Chinese side claimed a 4-0 win to stay top of Group F. The gulf in class was just too much for Muangthong, yet they can be proud of their efforts in the Tianhe Stadium.

The pair will meet again in six days at the Thunderdome.

Man of the Match: Dario Conca - Constant threat

Jiangsu Sainty 2-0 Buriram United

Two goals in the space of 60 seconds shortly before half time were Buriram United's undoing as they lost 2-0 to Jiangsu Sainty at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Center.

There was an upbeat tempo to the start of the game with both sides content to pass the ball on the deck.

Theerathorn whipped in a couple of early free kicks from the right which Deng Xiofei in the Jiangsu goal had to be alert to grab.

Suree had to be vigilant on 13 minutes to make a last ditch block following a neat series of passes from the home side.

Zhou Yun was lucky not to be red carded five minutes later when he made an ugly sliding lunge at Kai Hirano. The referee leniently let him off with a yellow card in my opinion.

Siwarak's first save came in the 24th minute after Sun Ke had neatly turned Theeratorn on the edge of the box, but his shot was saved by the Buriram keeper.

In the 33rd minute Bustos spurned a great opportunity to open the scoring when Jiangsu had pushed their defenders up for a free kick. Buriram broke quickly from the free kick and Hirano released Bustos clear through on goal, but the Chilean's effort was weakly struck straight at the keeper.

As the game looked to be heading into the break even, Buriram were hit with a double sucker punch in the 42nd and 43rd minute.

First up, Lu Bofei found the bottom corner of the net after Siwarak had parried away a Ren Hang shot, and 60 seconds later with Buriram still reeling from conceding the opening goal, Sun Ke headed home Ji Xiang's cross to make it 2-0.

Buriram kept plugging away, but it was rather scrappy after the interval.

Carmelo Gonzalez pulled a shot wide for the Thai side while Sun Ke had a goal ruled out for offside as Jiangsu happily watched the clock tick down.

Haimdi Salindi thought he'd added a third for the Nanjing team in the 84th minute, but his header was blocked on the line by Anawin.

However, five minutes later Anawin was heading to the locker room after collecting two yellow cards. There were no arguments as the substitute slowly trudged off the field.

It was a deserved win for Jiangsu Sainty on the night, yet it all could have been so different had Bustos scored in the first half when the score was 0-0.

Next up for Buriram United in the AFC Champions League are back-to-back home matches against Jiangsu Sainty and Vegalta Sendai. Two wins would have the Thunder Castle right back on track.

Man of the Match: Sun Ke

Kasetsart 3-0 Chamchuri United

Kasetsart strolled to a 3-0 victory over Chamchuri United to win the sunny Monday afternoon encounter.

The home side took the lead on 13 minutes when Chawin played a slide rule pass into the box for Dion Marc Sede who squared it to Augustine to bundle into the net.

Chamchuri's tactic was to get crosses into the box for the tall striking pairing of Narawich and Rittiporn while Kasetsart preferred passing the ball on the deck and hitting on the break.

Dion had a goal ruled out for offside before the lead was doubled for the hosts in the 40th minute. Chawin broke down the right and swept a low cross into the box. Nattapong in the Chamchuri goal blocked Dion as he was about to pull the trigger, but unfortunately for the keeper the ball rebounded to Jakkaphan on the edge of the box who rammed home to make it 2-0.

The away side made a couple of changes early in the second half, yet they made little difference. Jakarin in the Kasetsart goal could have pulled out a deck chair and smoked a cigar as he didn't have much action to preoccupy himself.

Dion and Chawin wasted gilt edged chances to secure the game before Dion did that in the 78th minute. A long throw in from the left somehow made it through a cluster of bodies to Dion at the far post who then drilled a shot into the bottom corner to wrap up the three points.

The game was done and dusted, but Kasetsart were reduced to 10 men near the end when Prakasit needlessly elbowed an opponent in the kisser while he was standing two meters in front of the referee.

Man of the Match: Chawin Srichan

Sunday 31 March Review

TPL
Bangkok Glass 0-1 Police Utd
Chainat 0-0 Chiang Rai Utd
Pattaya Utd 1-2 Army Utd
Ratchaburi 1-1 Chonburi
Suphanburi 1-0 Samut Songkhram

An injury time Thiago Cunha penalty cancelled out Sila's first half strike to salvage a point for Chonburi. The penalty award was originally given as a free kick just outside the box, but after consulting his assistant the referee changed his mind and awarded a penalty kick. The replays show clearly that Cunha was at least one meter inside the box when he was fouled. However a section of louts wearing Ratchaburi shirts decided to dish out their own justice after the match attacking Chonburi fans and their vehicles.
A Wuttichai goal was enough to win the points for Suphanburi against Samut Songkhram while Mbuta and Tatree were on target for Army at Pattaya as the Bangkok side picked up their second win of the week. The wins move Suphanburi up to the giddy heights of third while Army climb into the top half.
Chiang Rai United earned a decent point at Chainat but whether that was adequate enough to satisfy the "Teco Out" brigade remains to be seen.
Police United took the bragging rights as they beat Bangkok Glass 1-0 in the Pathumthani derby. The only goal of the match came as half time beckoned with Tanat heading home a corner.

Division 1
Ayutthaya 0-0 PTT Rayong
Saraburi 1-1 Rayong FC
TTM 0-1 Phuket

TTM slumped to the bottom of the table after their 1-0 loss to Phuket.  A Kritsada free kick from the right touchline ten minutes from time won the points for the Islanders although it has to be said that TTM keeper Shota Wada made a meal of trying to deal with it.
Newly promoted Ayutthaya and Rayong FC grabbed a point each but it wasn't enough to move either out of the relegation zone. There were plenty of chances in the Ayutthaya v PTT Rayong goalless draw while Warut struck midway through the second period to equalize for Rayong after Bernard Henri had headed the Warlords in front in the 16th minute.