Saturday 17 August Review

TPL

Bangkok Utd 4-2 Ratchaburi
Buriram Utd 2-0 Chiang Rai Utd
Muangthong Utd 3-2 Pattaya Utd
Songkhla Utd 0-2 Police Utd

It's as you were at the top after Buriram and Muangthong earned home victories over relegation threatened opposition. Muangthong's win over Pattaya was their second 3-2 success of the week. Kriangkhai gave the Dolphins a surprise lead, but MTU replied in first half injury time when Edvaldo Hermoza slotted home a hotly disputed penalty. A Teerasil header had the Kirins in front before Bang Seung Hwan sealed the three points with 15 minutes left to play. Darlington did pull one back for Pattaya to give the champions a nervy last ten minutes.
Buriram got the job done with a 2-0 win over Chiang Rai Utd. Carmelo Gonzalez won't be on the plane to Tehran today, but his fine individual goal gave the Thunder Castle the lead yesterday. Adisak added a second to keep Buriram in pole position. However, they could drop to second on Wednesday if Muangthong win in Chiang Rai. Buriram travel to Iran to face Esteghlal in their first leg of the AFC quarter finals.

The game of the day proved to be the one at the Thai Japanese Stadium with Bangkok United beating Ratchaburi 4-2. Panupong gave Ratchaburi an early lead but goals from Milos Bugonovic and Paul Ekollo swung the tie back in favour of the Bangkok Angels. Ratchaburi's Ukrit will be having sleepless nights when he looks back at his error for Ekollo's goal. Nevertheless, a Douglas strike helped to erase some of the pain as the four goal first half drew to a close. After the break, Bkk Utd regained the lead through a Anthony Ampaipitkwong header and Ekollo scored a tap-in to make the tie safe in injury time.

Police United won 2-0 in Songkhla to move to within one point of the southern club. Michael Murcy barged his way through the Songkhla defence to opening the scoring in the second half and Pedrinho doubled that with a spectacular long range free kick.

Division 1

Air Force 2-2 Nakhon Pathom Utd
BBCU 2-2 Krabi
Khon Kaen 1-0 Phuket
Siam Navy 3-1 Singh Tarua
Sriracha 3-0 Rayong FC

It's been a horrendous week for Singh Tarua as they lost for the second time in four days. The Klong Toei Army who had made the trip down to Sattahip must have been shaking their heads in disbelief as Siam Navy lambasted Tarua with three goals early in the second half. Kittipong pulled a late goal back for Tarua and they'll be hoping that Trat and Saraburi can do them a favour this evening against Bangkok FC and Nakhon Ratchasima respectively.

The Tarua result might have slightly comforted Air Force after Lesley Ablorh's late equalizer denied them three points. The Blue Eagles could be knocked off top perch this evening if PTT Rayong win at bottom club Rayong United.

It's been a pleasant week for Sriracha after they beat Rayong FC 3-0. Their second home win in four days has lifted the Blue Marlins three points clear of the drop zone. The club were boosted with news that they can now field Chonburi loanees, Irfan Bachdim and Ivan Boskovic. The loss for Rayong FC leaves them in deep trouble.

BBCU and Krabi shared a 2-2 draw in the mid-table battle while Matius Recio was the toast of Khon Kaen again after he netted the only goal in their win over Phuket.