Customs United 2-1 Laem Chabang City

Laem Chabang City

Laem Chabang City's inaugural game in the regional league ended in defeat as they lost 2-1 to Customs United. Their cause wasn't helped when they had a player ordered off on the stroke of half time.

The home side started on the front foot forcing a couple of early chances but it wasn't until the 42nd minute that the deadlock was broken. Chavarit's surging run released Yu who was upended in the box. The Japanese striker got up to convert the spot kick despite the keeper in the Laem Chabang goal getting a hand to it.

1-0 - Keeper almost saves

Just before the interval, Tawatchai was sent off for the visitors after a robust challenge on the touchline earned him his second yellow card.

Within a minute of the restart, Sukchai doubled the lead for Customs when his shot beat the keeper into the bottom left hand corner.

The new boys should have been dead and buried but they fought well with 10 men. Marit fired in a free kick on 72 minutes to give City some hope. It was United however who held on for a win that they probably just deserved.

Both sides looked decent defensively although I didn't see anything to suggest that either will be challenging for the end of season playoffs. Mid-table seems the most likely position for the duo.

Laem Chabang fielded only Thai players but they were quite big physically. Wasan at the back was the pick of the bunch for me as he controlled their back line. As far as their support went, there were about 100 of them who had made the journey up from Laem Chabang. They were fairly quiet by Thai standards, despite having two drums, yet they did look like they'd made the journey by choice rather than been forced to by employers/institutes which is often the case.

K. Duah

Man of the Match: Duah (Customs Utd) The youngster was composed at the back

Regional League Roll Call 2013

The 84 team regional league has expanded from five to six divisions for 2013. The leagues (except the South) are set to start this weekend.
Below are the listed teams for each region:

Bangkok

Bangkok Christian, Chamchuri Utd, Thai Honda, Nonthaburi, North Bangkok, Paknampo NSRU, Kasetsart, Kasem Bundit, Raj Vithi, Customs Utd, Samut Prakan Utd, Laem Chabang City, Assumption Thonburi, R-BEC

Central West

Krung Thonburi, Luk Tapfah Pathum Thani, Globex, Thonburi BG Utd, Prachuap, Petchaburi, Futera Seeker, Muangkan Utd, Raj Pracha BTU, Samut Sakhon, Singburi, Hua Hin City, Ang Thong

Central East

Kabin Utd, Thai Fleet, Chantaburi, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok, Pathum Thani MWA Utd, Prachinburi Utd, Phan Thong, Rangsit Uni, Maptaphut Marine, Thai Airways Luk Esan, Samut Prakan FC, Pluak Daeng, Sa Kaeo City

South

Trang, Pattani, Nara Utd, Pangnga, Satun, Chumpon, Nakhon Si Heritage, Phatthalung, Ranong, Surat FC, Yala

North

Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Phrae Utd, Kampheang Phet, Uttaradit, Phichit, Lamphun Warriors, Uthai Thani Forest, Phayao, Nan, Lampang, Sukhothai, Petchabun, Chiang Rai City, Tak

North-East

Roi Et Utd, Sisaket Utd, Udon Thani, Loei City, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Khai, Yasothon Utd, Maha Sarakham Utd, Amnan Charoen Town, Kalasin, Chaiyaphum, Nong Bua Lamphu, Surin, Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan City, Ubon Ratchathani

• From what I can gather, the top placed team from the South and the top two from the other five regions will qualify for the playoffs. The last spot will be decided via a playoff between the runners up in the South and the best placed third team from the North and North-east sections.
• As many of the Bangkok Division 2 sides are now split over three leagues, I won't be submitting weekly reviews any more. I will still write match reports from any matches that I attend and off course I'll still cover the playoffs once we reach October.