TTM 0-0 Krabi

It was a drab game between two mediocre sides. Looking at the positives, both sides seem fine defensively. However, they both seem rather toothless up front.

Bangkok FC 3-1 Krabi

Two late goals kept Bangkok FC's TPL dreams alive as they beat Krabi 3-1. With minutes remaining, the Iron Bulls were being held 1-1 but a debatable penalty and subsequent sending off were to be the talking points of the day.

After last week's 3-0 loss at Rayong FC, Bangkok's promotion fate was out of their own hands and there was a sombre end of season feel to the contest as the match kicked off.

It was an even start to the game although it was Krabi who had the early chances with Anuwit and Somkid coming close.

The hosts first real effort came midway through the half when Tawin's drilled left foot shot across goal forced Anusorn to block with his foot.

The same duo were involved three minutes later when the goalkeeper rather recklessly brought down the Bangkok number 22 leaving the referee with the simple decision of awarding a penalty.

Lee Tuck took his trademark stuttered run up for the spot kick but Anusorn dived the right way to block his shot. However, Meedech was the swiftest to react and he knocked in the rebound to give the hosts the lead.

Inspired substitution

Krabi were struggling to get back into the match and they hooked Tanat for John Mary minutes before the break. The former Buriram striker made an instant impact as his rasping shot from the edge of the box landed in the back of the net.

After the interval, Bangkok were applying most of the pressure while the team from the south were looking dangerous on the break.

Tawin's header from a long throw went just over the bar and an Olof Watson shot hit the side netting as the hosts pressed. At the other end, John Mary couldn't connect properly as his shot 18 yards was saved by Worawut and Anuwit blazed over following a quick break.

The Bulligans thought they'd taken the lead shortly after Sam Danquah's arrival but his teasing cross was knocked tantalisingly back across the goal by Watson with the Krabi keeper stood rooted to the spot.

With time running out, Bangkok FC were awarded a debatable penalty. Whether or not Adisak clipped Jutarong is open to discussion, but the reaction of the Krabi players was rather childish. In the rugby scrum that swarmed the man in the middle afterwards, it appeared a slap was aimed at his head and Onuora was shown a red card. After about 15 minutes of heated argument on the touchline, the red card was given to Thaweephong after he appeared to own up. Lee Tuck could finally take his second spot kick off the afternoon and this time the Englishman made no mistake as he sent Anusorn the wrong way to make it 2-1.

Moments later, Bangkok should have had a third penalty but the referee decided to hedge his bets and awarded a free kick on the edge of the box instead. Tuck then gently rolled the ball to Watson and the Swede rifled home into the bottom corner to secure the 3-1 win.

There was double joy at the final whistle for the Bang Mot side when the news filtered through that Nakhon Ratchasima had beaten PTT Rayong. Next week PTT Rayong host Bangkok FC and a win for the Iron Bulls would send them into the TPL. 

Singh Tarua 2-1 Krabi

Singh Tarua recorded their eighth successive home win beating Krabi 2-1. Leandro was yet again the leading man as his double helped Tarua come from behind to claim three precious points.

Ali Diarra struck the crossbar in the second minute with an angled drive from an acute angle. At the other end, John Mary let rip from 30 yards and his strong shot wasn't far away.

In the 12th minute, Reichelt should have done better when a defensive error allowed him in on goal, but his shot was palmed wide by Chookiat.

Krabi's opener came slightly against the run of play in the 37th minute. Former Thai Port striker Valci Junior played in John Mary and the big man turned and powerfully prodded his shot home from fifteen yards.

Nevertheless, the hosts reasserted their authority seconds later when the referee awarded a penalty after Chookiat brought down Leandro. There was a strong hint of handball by the Brazilian in the build up to the penalty, but he wasn't bothered as he sent the Krabi keeper the wrong way to net his 17th league goal of the season.

The Krabi goal was breached again moments into the second half when Leandro capitalized on a howler from Chookiat. A weakly hit shot from Reichelt appeared to be heading wide, but for some reason the stopper dived to save it and he inadvertently fumbled the ball straight into the path of Leandro.

The other keeper's handling had been impressive but Watchara almost allowed Krabi back into the game just after the hour when he went walkabout. Fortunately for him, Seekit got himself back on the line to head John Mary's chip over the bar.

In the 75th minute, Valci Junior's shot from just inside the box crept agonisingly wide as the Andaman Eagles pressed for an equalizer.

However, it was Singh Tarua who looked more likely to add a third in the closing stages with Chookiat making a decisive block from Kroekiat while two minutes later Narongkrit cut inside and fired inches over the bar.

The victory for the Klong Toei side was made even sweeter with promotion rivals Air Force and Bangkok FC losing. Tarua now have a three point buffer over Bangkok FC for that last promotion spot. The big showdown between the pair comes on October 5th when the Bulligans welcome the Port Lions.

Man of the Match: Leandro - Another match winning brace

Ayutthaya 2-1 Krabi

Ayutthaya came from behind in an ill-tempered contest to win a hard fought victory over Krabi. There were three goals and three dismissals, and a plethora of tetchy confrontations throughout the match.

The Andaman Eagles took the lead midway through the first half when Ittiphol pounced from close range after Sirichai could only parry John Mary's header into his path.

The hosts equalised in the 39th minute when Watcharapong converted from the spot after Rachanon was adjudged to have been felled by Liade Michel in the box.

After the break, the visitors applied great pressure and Sirichai was called upon to make a host of saves. The Ayutthaya stopper made blocks denying John Mary and Anuwat while Ittiphol had a couple of chances that were inches wide of the target.

The winning goal came eight minutes from time when Daniel Melo was on hand to sweep in following a precise pass from Wittiwat.

With five minutes left, both sides had a player sent off after an off the ball altercation. Krabi's Sornchai took exception to a challenge from Nuttapat and swung at his opponent to express his displeasure. The Ayutthaya man retaliated and both were sent for an early shower.

In injury time, Krabi's goalscorer, Ittiphol, joined them when he was given a second yellow for a swipe at Durosinmi's legs.

On the balance of play, Ayutthaya were slightly fortunate to claim three points, but it was vital victory considering the Rayong duo and TTM all won this weekend. From what I saw, The Ancient Warriors will probably stay up thanks to league reconstruction. Had the original quota of four sides being demoted been applied, then I wouldn't feel so hopeful.
Valci Junior wasn't playing for Krabi and his threat in the box was certainly missed.

Man of the Match: Sirichai - Several fine saves

BBCU 2-2 Krabi

Four goals were shared in the second period as BBCU and Krabi drew 2-2.

There was no sign of BBCU's midweek hero, Bouba Abbo, as the sides lined up, but the sight of 'Bomber' Thanom as the match official suggested it was going to be a lively game.

Within a minute, BBCU could have been ahead, but Nawin couldn't keep his header on target as his effort sailed a couple of yards over the bar.

Krabi then had a couple of chances of their own shortly afterwards. Valci Junior was denied by Pornchai in the fifth minute and Soukhaphone's low drive from the edge of the box hit the base of the post.

The game then lulled until the 37th minute when a 30 yard free kick from Marcio rattled the upright. Seconds later the heavens opened and the fans of the Yellow Blue had to then scramble into the virtually empty covered main stand to their left.

The downpour had eased off by the time the Pink Panthers took the lead two minutes after the restart. A floated free kick from Eduardo Salles found the head of Nawin to open the scoring. The BBCU striker was left unmarked as the Krabi defence were posted missing.

Minutes later, the goalscorer had a good penalty shout knocked back when he was sent tumbling by Ittiphol in the box. By this time, the home side were pressing for a second, and Anusorn had to be alert to tip a Nawin's 25 yard set piece over the bar.

On the hour, Krabi levelled when Jean Michel Liade rose well at the back post to head home Sornchai's cross.

BBCU could have retaken the lead seconds later, but there were no takers after Mongkol had curved an intriguing ball across the six yard box.

Nonetheless, the Bangkok side were back in front midway through the second half when Eduardo Salles curled home a free kick home from inside the D. Anusorn was left rooted to the spot as the Brazilian ran off to celebrate.

Once BBCU had restored the lead, it was just like Wednesday evening's encounter with Singh Tarua all over again as they tried to wind down the clock by wasting time.

Krabi rallied and they were rewarded in the 82nd minute when John Mary equalized with a scruffy goal. In the celebrations afterwards , Ekachai, who had just been subbed, ran over to rejoice with his colleagues. He took his shirt off and was then shown a second yellow card by Thanom. The substituted player was subsequently sent to sit on the naughty step in the front of the main grandstand.

The game finished 2-2 which was probably a fair result. It wasn't a dirty game, but I reckon the yellow card count must have reached double figures. Both sides showed flashes that they could be higher than their mid-table position, yet that's the position where the pair will ultimately finish.

2-2 sending off

Air Force 1-0 Krabi

Air Force edged out Krabi 1-0 to win a largely forgettable match.

Ugly game

The only goal of the game came in the 34 minute when Supphakorn won possession on the left flank, and his ball across goal eventually ended up at right back Taweesap who fired low through a crowded goalmouth into the net.

John Mary shot wide and Natthapol forced Cunningham into a save as the visitors tried in vain to muster a fightback in the second half.

Bored spectator

Kouassi Herman almost added a second for the hosts three minutes from time but he failed to latch onto Julius Oiboh's cross.

In the last minute of the match, Liade Michel was give a second yellow card to reduce Krabi to 10 men. In all honesty, he should have been sent off in the first half for an ugly lunge at Kouassi.

Attendance: 1,672


Man of the Match: Me - For sitting through 90 minutes of this dour encounter to write a match report

Bangkok FC 2-1 Krabi

Lee Tuck and Sarayoot were on target as Bangkok FC signed off the season with a 2-1 win over Krabi.

The match was supposed to have been played with no home fans present after crowd disturbances marred the final whistle last week against Sriracha. In my estimation, at least 1,000 of the official 1,239 attendance would have gone home happy after this contest!

On the rebound

Samuel Danquah should have opened the scoring early on before Sarayoot was tripped in the box by goal stopper, Theerawat. Lee Tuck's stuttering run up from the resultant spot kick didn't fool Theerawat as he blocked the Englishman's shot, but fortunately for the division's top goalscorer. the rebound fell comfortably into his path to be tucked away. The goal was his 23rd of the season and it ensured that Lee Tuck topped the Division 1 goalscoring chart.

Wrong way

On 34 minutes, the referee awarded his second penalty kick of the match when Christiano Lopes was adjudged to have been felled by Mika Chunuonsee in the box. The ex-Sriracha man dusted himself down and made no mistakes as he sent Naratip the wrong way to level.

The Energy should have gone ahead minutes later when Soukaphone jinked his way into the box, but his effort on goal was rifled over from yards out.

The hosts looked the more likely after the break as they targeted the left flank for several raids. Their persistence paid off on 71 minutes when Lee Tuck's cross from the left was headed in by Sarayoot.

Thaweepong and Bolarinwa Ayotomiwa came close to adding to the Bulligans lead, while Chaninthorn whistled a couple of free kicks inches wide for Krabi as the game finished 2-1 to Bangkok FC. At full time, there appeared to have been a red card flashed towards Rachanon as the teams departed the field.

At the end of the season, Bangkok FC finished 10th and five points clear of relegation. Overall they'd have settled for that one month ago, but when you consider the money that has been invested in the club by the owner, they really have underachieved.

Krabi on the other hand should be satisfied with a sixth placed finish although they will be disappointed that they couldn't maintain their promotion push after an excellent first leg of the season.

I'd say both clubs have a decent nucleus in their squads to build on for next term. With sensible investment, I can see the pair challenging for promotion next year.

Krabi 4-1 Raj Pracha

Krabi read the last rights to Raj Pracha's existence as a first division side as they brushed them aside 4-1.

Straight from the off, Krabi were on the front foot and the most surprising thing was that it took them five minutes to score. Ekachai and Anuwat had both come close before Ekaphan netted after he'd been set up by his family member Ekachai.

First half action

The goalscorer then blazed over minutes later before Ekachai volleyed into an empty net after the Raj keeper punched the ball weakly into his path.

It was one way traffic and Raj Pracha were fortunate when Michel Liade's free header from a corner hit the bar.

Raj Pracha did eventually force a bit of pressure and they pulled one back on 39 minutes when a header across the goal went through the Krabi keeper and Rewat tapped in.

Krabi always appeared to be in control and they regained their two goal lead shortly before the hour. Ekaphan crossed low from the right and the ball seemed to bobble off Thaweepong into the guest's goal.

The game quietened down until the stroke of full time when a breakaway from substitute Justine Uche Prince set up Thaweepong to sweep home for his second goal of the night.

Overall it was a comfortable win for the Energy. Raj Pracha had a couple of 10 minute spells were they looked half decent but for the main they played like a side that was resigned to their fate.

Attendance: 1,525

Air Force United 0-2 Krabi

An early and a late goal were enough to give Krabi a 2-0 victory over first division strugglers Air Force at the Thupathemi Stadium.

Thaweephong stroked home from close range for the Energy in ten minutes after Devala Gorrick had twice blocked previous attempts.

With about ten minutes left, a low cross from the right channel was flicked on by Lopes to set up Aran who gleefully netted to end the contest.

In between the goals, Annan's fierce first half shot for Air Force flew inches wide while Krabi almost doubled their lead in the second period with an inswinging free kick that stuck the crossbar.

Air Force's hopes of salvaging an unlikely late point were dashed as Theerawat saved a late penalty from Kouassi Yao Herman to complete a disheartening night for the Airmen.

Both sides' seasons now hinge on how they perform in the transfer window. Air Force to me, look about 50/50 whether or not they'll stay up. The same could be said of Krabi as they bid to enter the TPL. The addition of loan signing John Mary could be the final piece in the jigsaw. Only time will tell!!

Look at the second from right. The mascot is as tall as the Krabi player.

Suphanburi 1-0 Krabi

The Suphanblood

Suphanburi moved to within one point of the summit of Division 1 with a well earned 1-0 victory over current league topper's Krabi.

The only goal of the match came five minutes after the break when Jorrin John cut in from the right to strike past Teerawat in the Krabi goal.

The first half was a tightish affair with the home side slightly on top. Both sides had shots cleared off their lines from early attempts before Pipat headed inches wide in the 20th minute for the half's closest effort.

John's strike on 50 minutes proved to be the only goal of the game although the home side could have doubled their lead late on when Bolarinwa Ayotomiwa's shot crept agonisingly wide after a precise pass from Worawut.

The "Suphanblood" have finally hit form after a stuttering start to the season. With the mid-season transfer window set to open soon, you'd expect that Suphanburi will dip into their plentiful resources to strengthen their claim on one of the three promotion spots.

As it stands tonight, Krabi still top the table. Defensively Krabi are pretty solid but they seem to lack potency up front. Carlo Coppari has still to find his feet in Thai football and the Energy could do with Christiano Lopes returning from injury to boost their attacking options.

Bangkok United 0-1 Krabi

Krabi moved to the top of Division 1 with a second half winner from pint-sized Laotian, Soukhaphone Vongchiengkham.

The first half was rather tepid although Bangkok United did strike the woodwork twice. Theerawat, in the Krabi goal, knocked a glancing header onto the crossbar while Jaruwat struck the post five minutes before the interval.

Krabi improved and made much of the running after half time. The breakthrough came on 51 minutes when Soukhaphone latched onto a headed through ball for his third goal of the season.

Antonin Trilles produced a couple of good saves to keep the home side in the contest and midway through the half the Angels were given a golden opportunity to equalize.

Sompong on ground after penalty decision

Sompong was nudged in the back by a Krabi defender and a penalty was awarded much to the displeasure of the away side. The ex-Thai Port man dusted himself down to take the spot kick, but his soft effort was easily saved by Theerawat.

The Energy

Theerawat palmed a shot around the post in injury time as "The Energy" held out for the win. Krabi weren't at their best in the first half, but they showed enough in the second to suggest that they'll be in the thick of the promotion race. Bangkok United though, severely missed their French talisman, Romain Gasmi. I'm not sure if he was injured or suspended tonight, but without Gasmi, Bangkok United lacked creativity.