BB-CU 1-1 TTM

Rajamangala Stadium

A point respectively wasn't the desired outcome for either side as BB-CU and TTM drew 1-1 at a sparsely filled Rajamangala Stadium.

TTM had an early shout for a penalty with a strong hint of hand ball, but it was the hosts who took the lead on 22 minutes. A cross from the left flank was tamely palmed away by Won Yoo Hyun allowing Jacob Aikionbare to head over the Korean into the empty net.

On the half hour Pichet flicked a corner onto the top of the crossbar as BBCU almost doubled their advantage.

Within a couple of minutes, TTM drew level when sloppy defending left an unmarked Eakartit to smash home at the back post.

Game over for Pornchai

During the build up to the goal. BBCU's keeper, Pornchai, and Tassana of TTM collided and shortly after play resumed both left the field with injuries. I reckon there must have been 7 or 8 minutes of stoppage time in the first half yet the fourth official only awarded 3 minutes. The ref then blew the half time whistle after exactly 3 minutes while the game was stopped for a player receiving treatment. Even more surprisingly, the whistler had the second half resumed within exactly 15 minutes. With the exception of internationals and AFC games, it's very rare that we have 15 minutes intervals here in Thailand.

More injuries

The Big Bang almost retook the lead on 63 minutes when Jacob set up Syllla only for the TTM keeper to tip his shot around the post.

BBCU obviously weren't going to settle for a point and they brought on two attackers as the second half progressed. Pichit thought he had scored on 82 minutes but his effort was ruled out for offside by the linesman.

Despite the home side's efforts, it was TTM who almost snatched it deep into injury time when Pattana's shot raced across the goal.

Both sides appear destined for the first division unless something spectacular happens. Without Juninho, BBCU rely to much on crosses and set pieces, and their central defence is suspect. In all fairness to TTM, they try to pass the ball on the deck, yet they lack quality in several departments. Eakartit was lively in attack and Jung Hoo Jin and Sakda were solid defensively, but they have too many average players to suggest that they'll beat the drop.

Attendance: 295

Army United 2-2 TTM

Giorgi Tsimakuridze scored a stoppage time equaliser as struggling TTM secured an unexpected point.

Army went ahead on 18 minutes when slack marking allowed Danny Invinsible a headed goal following a cross from the right.

First half pressure from Army

Danny Blanco doubled the lead eight minutes later when he planted a header from a corner into the roof of the net. TTM weren't helped as they were down to 10 men after defender Diomanda Adama decided that he needed unnecessary treatment for an injury. When will these players learn that you don't ask for treatment whilst defending a set piece!!

The away side were gifted a goal shortly after the interval when Army sloppily lost possession in the center of the park, and from the resultant break down the right, the cross into the box cannoned in off Army's Danny Blanco and goalkeeper Kosin to give TTM a lifeline.

Giorgi waiting for treatment

Despite the goal, Army were on course to secure a welcome three points, but in the third minute of added time, Giorgi collected a half cleared corner on the edge of the box and rifled past Kosin to salvage a precious point for TTM.

Army will have been bitterly disappointed to have thrown away a two goal lead and will rue how easily they gifted TTM the first goal. Surely now their priority in the transfer window is to find a Thai striker who can replace the slot disappointinly vacated by Jo 5 Yards. Or as some have hinted, a decent coach!

The Thailand Tobacco Monopoly still remain at the fag end of the league table and on tonight's evidence in the first 45 minutes, that's the position they'll fill at the end of the season. Nevertheless, their fightback should offer them encouragement as they aim to claw back the four point gap between themselves and safety.