Buriram United 0-2 Nagoya Grampus

Jungo Fujimoto's double won the Toyota Cup for Nagoya Grampus as they beat Buriram United 2-0 at the Supachalasai Stadium.

Buriram were given an early warning of Fujimoto's attacking threat when a questionable offside decision by the assistant referee ruled out his goal after he'd dinked the ball over the advancing Siwaruck before tapping it into the empty net.

For large periods of the first half, the Japanese side bossed the centre of midfield, and they were rewarded on the half hour when Naoshi Nakamura was allowed to waltz across the Buriram rearguard. He linked up with Fujimoto twice before the Nagoya number 8 flicked the ball past the Buriram keeper with his left peg.

Buriram United appeared tired after their midweek exertions and made some second half changes which made little effect. With nine minutes left on the clock, "Denso" timed his run perfectly to latch on to a through ball to kill the contest with his second goal.

The Thai League Cup holders hit the bar late on but it was the Japanese club who were celebrating at the end. They become the first Japanese side to lift the cup since it was introduced three seasons ago.

Next up for the Thunder Castle is a trip to the Rajamangala* next Saturday to take on Muangthong United in the Kor Royal Cup. That will be followed three days later with Buriram heading to Japan to meet Vegalta Sendai in their opening AFC Champions League match. Incidentally, Buriram beat Vegalta Sendai after a penalty shoot-out in the Toyota Cup last season.

*Game switched to Supachalasai

Man of the Match: Jungo Fujimoto

Weekend 10-11 November Review

Toyota League Cup Final
Buriram Utd 4-1 Ratchaburi

Buriram United won their second cup final of the week as they strolled to a 4-1 win over a Ratchaburi side that was down to it's bare bones. The first division champions had no substitutes listed due to having eight inelligable Buriram United loanees on their books.
With the unconvincing Pathomporn in the Ratchaburi goal, a giant killing never looked likely. In the 36th minute, the Dragon's keeper weakly flapped at a Theeratorn free kick allowing Ekwalla to open the scoring, and minutes later Jerkovic netted from close range to kill off the contest before the half time interval.
Osmar headed Buriram three in front just after the hour before Sivakorn feebly patted the ball onto the unsuspecting Adisak to give Ratchaburi a consolation two minutes later. Goran Jerkovic bagged his double three minutes from time as his header completed an easy day at the office for the Thunder Castle.

Division 2 Playoffs
(Group A)
Roi Et Utd 2-0 Pattani
Rayong Utd 3-1 Ayutthaya
Phitsanulok 1-0 Paknampo NSRU

There were three home wins in Group A as Ayutthaya finally tasted defeat for the first time. The Ancient Warriors lost 3-1 at Rayong United but they still have the benefit of a five point cushion on third place.
At the other end, Phitsanulok won their first game to keep their distant promotion hopes smouldering. Somlak's goal shortly before half time was the only goal of the contest.
Roi Et moved into second spot after they beat Pattani 2-0. A Piyapong penalty and a Michael Victor goal that shouldn't have stood in my opinion won it for Roi Et Utd.

(Group B)
Trang 0-4 Trat
Sisaket Utd 1-1 Thai Honda
Chiang Mai FC 0-0 Rayong FC

Trat were the only side to win on Round 6 as they submitted an impressive 4-0 win at Trang. An early Toth opener followed by a Wuttichai double and a late Raymond goal moved the White Elephants one point clear at the top with a game in hand.
It was a late show at Sisaket United with the points shared between the hosts and Thai Honda. Jimmy Shola's 85th minute goal appeared to have won the points for Sisaket United but they were denied late on when Pornchai's strike earned a point for Thai Honda. The late equalizer proved costly for Sisaket Utd as they dropped to second in the group.
Chiang Mai FC enjoyed the bulk of the chances against Rayong FC despite playing the majority of the game with 10 players. Even though Rayong FC had the man advantage, they seemed content to settle for a point. The draw keeps Rayong FC in third place one point behind Sisaket United. Chiang Mai are six points off the promotion spots although they do have the replayed match against Trat up their sleeve.

International Friendly
Thailand v Bhutan

Thailand host Bhutan in their second warm-up match for the AFF Cup. The Thais will be looking to build on last week's encouraging 2-0 victory over AFF holders Malaysia. I imagine Schafer will mix and match his team again as he bids to find his strongest 11. The latest FIFA rankings released on 7th November had Bhutan ranked in 207th place, equal last with San Marino and the Turks and Caicos Islands. It should be a comfortable win for Thailand which will hopefully be supplemented with a morale boosting performance.
The friendly will be played at 6pm on Wednesday at the Thai Japanese Stadium in Din Daeng.

Weekend Review 17-19 February

Division 2 BKK
Bangkok Christian 0-3 Globex FC
Central Lions 2-1 RBAC-BEC Tero 
Customs Utd 1-1 Kasem Bundit
Samut Sakhon FC 1-1 Samut Prakarn United
Prachinburi FC 2-0 Assumption Thonburi
Chamchuri United 4-1 Luk Issan Thai Airways
Kasetsart 2-0 Nontaburi FC
Krung Thonburi 0-1 Thai Honda
Rangsit FC 0-1 North Bangkok FC


The Friday night opener ended with a surprising 3-0 win for Globex as they dispatched a youthful Bangkok Christian at the Thephasadin.
Chamchuri signalled their early intent the following day as they comfortably beat last season's bottom team, Luk Issan, 4-1. It was honours even in the battle of the "Samuts" as they drew 1-1 in Samut Sakhon. Central Lions and Prachinburi both scored home wins while recently relegated Customs got off to a disappointing start as they could only muster a point from their home game with university side Kasem Bundit.
On Sunday, last season's top 2, Kasetsart and North Bangkok, both got off to winning starts. Kasetsart beat Nontaburi 2-0 while North Bangkok won 1-0 at near neighbors Rangsit FC 1-0. In the other game, newbies Krung Thonburi lost 1-0 at home to Thai Honda.

ACL Playoff
Pohang Steelers 2-0 Chonburi

Underdogs Chonburi can be proud of themselves even though they lost 2-0 to the much fancied South Korean side Pohang Steelers. The Thai team, playing in unfamiliar chilly weather conditions, had a couple of good chances, but the Chonburi attack was well marshalled by the stronger looking Steelers back 4 throughout. A goal in each half was the Shark's undoing as they now have to contemplate life in the AFC Cup Group G with Citizen AA, Home United and Yangon United.

Toyota Cup Final
Buriram United 1-1 Vegalta Sendai (Buriram United won 4-2 on penalties)

Goalkeeper Sivaruck was the hero for Buriram United as he saved two penalties in the shoot out with Japanese side, Vegalta Sendai. Frank Achaempong gave Buriram a first half lead, but it was cancelled out in the second half by a Yoshiaki Ota penalty. The drawn tie headed straight to penalties and it was Buriram United who collected the Toyota Cup after a successful penalty shoot-out.

Div 2 BKK Opening Weekend Preview 17-19 February

Division 2 BKK
(Friday)
Bangkok Christian v Globex FC
(Saturday)
Central FC v RBAC FC
Customs v Kasem Bundit
Samut Sakhon FC v Samut Prakarn United
Prachinburi FC v Assumption Thonburi
Chamchuree United v Luk Issan Thai Airways
(Sunday)
Kasetsart v Nontaburi FC
Krung Thonburi v Thai Honda
Rangsit FC v North Bangkok FC

The expanded 18 team Bangkok Division 2 kicks off this weekend. There are seven new teams joining the league this year and predicting a winner from this region is nigh on impossible as most teams will have totally revamped their squads during the close season.
The three relegated sides from Division 1 last term, Customs, RBAC and Thai Honda, will all be looking to bounce back at the first attempt.
The feisty Samut Sakhon have moved over from the Central & East region. The Proud Junk Ship (Oh yes!!) finished third in their league last season and will be hoping that the Bangkok region is an easier route to the Division 2 play-offs.
With last season's top three of Kasetsart, North Bangkok and Samut Prakarn United still looking strong, it indicates that there is plenty of strength in depth in this league.
Other teams like Nontaburi, Chamchuree, Bangkok Christian and Prachinburi can't be written off either, but they'll need to show more consistency after mid-tables finishes in 2011. 
Also joining the league are Central FC, Krung Thonburi and Rangsit FC. I can't see Central FC or Krung Thonburi challenging for promotion although Bangkok Glass's feeder club, Rangsit FC, might fancy their chances of hitting the top half.
Teams departing the league are NSRU, Raj Vithi, Thanyaburi Asia United, Maptaphut Rayong and Thai Fleet. Raj Vithi have decided to take a year out, NSRU have moved to the Northern region, while the undistinguished trio of Maptaphut, Thanyaburi and Thai Fleet have all shifted to a weakened looking Central & East league.
The opening fixture on Friday evening pits Bangkok Christian against Globex. The pick of the games on Saturday sees the reformed Central FC hosting an RBAC side who will be backed by BEC Tero Sasana this year. On Sunday the highlight will be a local derby for the recent Khor Royal Cup winners, Rangsit FC, as North Bangkok make the walkable trip along the Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road to the Leo Stadium.

ACL Playoff
Pohang Steelers v Chonburi (Sat)

Chonburi travel to South Korea to face Pohang Steelers in a one off qualifier for the Asian Champions league. The Korean side finished 2nd in the K-League last season which suggests it will be a difficult match for Chonburi at the Pohang Steelyard.

Toyota Cup Final
Buriram United v Vegalta Sendai (Sat)

This first official game for Buriram United against Japanese side Vegalta Sendai at the Supachalasai is basically just a friendly, but it will be taken far more seriously than it should be as there is a trophy awarded at the end. Expect to see plenty of snapshots taken before, during and after the game for various glossy media sites.