The Story So Far (Part 4) - Relegation Candidates

As the TPL table stands just now, it appears that any five from the seven below will be taking the drop to the first division.

Sisaket

Current Position: 14th

The Dangerous Kouprey can be reasonably pleased with their return to the TPL after a lengthy courtroom battle left them idle for the majority of 2013. There aren’t many household names in the squad, but that’s possibly why it’s working so far. Their key to survival is beating the teams currently below them in the table. At this moment, they are just above danger zone courtesy of goal difference. The important factor for Sisaket is to remain in the TPL and build from there. 

Bangkok United

Current Position: 15th

The club parted ways with the wily Sasom Pobprasert during the off-season and they probably regret doing that now. His replacement Rui Bento didn’t even make it to Songkran festival and former Police coach Thawatchai has been given the task of saving the Angels. I expect he'll be one of the busiest mangers in the upcoming transfer window as he brings in fresh faces to replace some of the well paid journeymen currently at the club. In the meantime, losing 7-0 at Tero a fortnight ago hardly inspires confidence and the underachieving squad are in real danger of dropping down a division.

Songkhla United

Current Position: 16th

The big dream of being the Buriram of the south has never emerged and the club are on route to return to the first division were the now extinct Songkhla FC once lingered. The Fighting Bulls are averaging less than one goal per game and the have the equal worst defensive record in the league. That’s not a good combination. Home form could be their savior.

Police

Current Position: 17th

It’s been a Jekyll and Hyde start to the season for Police. An impressive 5-1 win over Air Force and a 1-1 draw at Muangthong wasn’t capitalized on with the club losing five out of their next six games. That run cost Carlos Roberto his job and he’s been surprisingly replaced by Mika Lonnstrom. The Finn was recruited from a Roi Et United side that were second from bottom in Division 1. If Police can get their strikers firing, then they should be able to avoid the drop.

PTT Rayong

Current Position: 18th

The Oil Millionaires got off to a decent start and a comfortable mid-table finish appeared on the cards. However, the turning point in their season came when they blew a 2-0 lead at home to Chonburi, eventually drawing 2-2. Since then, their solid defensive unit have started shipping goals and their only win came nine games ago against Samut Songkhram. Fortunately, for the club, they have the money and resources to revamp their squad for the second leg.

Samut Songkhram

Current Position: 19th

The usually dysfunctional club seemed set for a stable season after a new sponsorship deal allowed them to make early purchases in the transfer market. Unfortunately hardly any of them have lived up to their billing. The upgrade of their home stadium has seen them relocate to the stadiums of Ratchaburi and Army. In their absence from home, they’ve lost all four contests. The Mackerels only win was at Air Force and they need to return to home base as soon as possible if they have any chance of survival. 

Air Force

Current Position: 20th

It’s been a dismal return to the top flight for Air Force. With no wins in 11 attempts, it appears incredibly likely that they will be making an instant return to the second tier. Instead of building on their promotion winning team, they dismantled it and brought in several new faces. Lee Tuck was acquired from Bangkok FC and with Kouassi Hermann, they were expected to bang in the goals. Neither of the duo have managed to find their first division goal scoring form and as a result Air Force are rooted to the floor of the TPL. They are already 7 points from safety and are in danger of being cut adrift at the bottom. 

Sriracha 1-1 Sisaket (Sriracha won 4-2 on penalties)

Sriracha eventually prevailed winning a penalty shootout to knock TPL side Sisaket out of the League Cup.

It was a lively start to the game with both sides intent on attacking. The first goal of the evening went Sisaket's way when a free kick from Suttinan caused confusion at the back for Sriracha and a Diego Pishinin own goal (I think) give Sisaket the lead.

The Blue Marlins responded three minutes later with a goal of their own. Rewat unleashed a right footed shot from the left which curled past the Sisaket keeper into the net.

On the half hour, Rewat almost added a second, but his diving header was tipped over the bar by the keeper.

Maros Bacik came close for the Dangerous Kouprey slicing a shot inches wide as it ended all even at the break.

Sriracha were certainly on the front foot after the interval with Rewat heading wide and Pornsak forcing the Sisaket stopper into another sprightly save.

Preecha really should have put the TPL side into the lead seven minutes from time, but he headed the ball into the ground and over the bar.

With time ticking down, Seiya Kojima hit the visitor's crossbar and extra time was to be played.

It was a fairly uneventful extra 30 minutes and the tie had to be resolved with a penalty shootout.

Sriracha won 4-2 with Ratinho scoring the decisive penalty.

Overall, Sriracha were the better side and if they keep playing like this, I expect them to climb the Division 1 table.

Man of the Match: Rewat Meerian - Was a constant menace for the Sisaket defence.

Shoot-out

Sisaket 1-2 Muangthong United

Teerasil's 92nd minute winner earned a hard fought 2-1 win for Muangthong United at Sisaket.

Sisaket set their stall out to sit deep while at the same time allowing Muangthong's back 3 unchallenged possession in their own half.

After only eight minutes, that plan took a severe beating when Adnan Barakat unleashed a peach of a strike with his left foot past Pusit in the Sisaket goal. The opening goal came after a sustained spell of Muangthong possession.

The pattern of the match continued with the visitors stroking the ball around patiently with the hosts digging in playing chase ball.

Muangthong could have been two up on 24 minutes, but the linesman thought otherwise. Datsakorn split the Sisaket back 4 to release Piyaphon whose low cross was chested in by Linz. Replays show that Linz may have used his arm but the assistant referee made an incorrect call initially by flagging Piyaphon offside.

The injured Panupong had to be replaced by Thritti on the 28th minute for Muangthong, and seconds later Weera was picking the ball out of his net. A through ball from midfield found a suspiciously offside looking Kittirach who stroked the ball past the advancing Weera to level for Sisaket.

Sisaket were second best for most of the first half, but most importantly for them the scoreline was 1-1 going into the break.

After the interval, clear cut chances were hard to come by and it began to look increasingly likely that the next goal would be the winner.

Teerasil was thwarted twice by Pusit before Datsakorn was furiously kicking the post midway through the half after he slid an effort wide infront of an open goal.

With six minutes left, Weera had to race from his box to head clear after Muangthong's high back line had been caught out by a long ball.

At the other end, Teesasil's strike from a tight angle hit the outside of the post as injury time loomed.

Muangthong's persistence paid off when they hit the winner in the 92nd minute. Dagno's long chip from the right was nodded back across goal by Naphat to Piyaphon. His header bounced off the underside off the bar and Jan Marcin's attempted clearance was bundled home off a combination of Teerasil's face and arm.

On the balance of play, a 2-1 scoreline was fair although some might have sympathy for Sisaket as they possibly deserved a point for their effort and robust defensive display. Muangthong still aren't firing on all cylinders but a brace of 2-1 victories ensure that they'll end this round of fixtures on a higher points total than Buriram United, Chonburi and BEC Tero.

Man of the Match: Dagno Siaka - Energetic performance

BEC Tero 2-1 Sisaket

BEC Tero edged past Sisaket to book themselves a spot in the last 8 of the Thai FA Cup.

The home side started on the front foot and forced a few early chances. Just as Sisaket looked to be getting into the game, Tero took the lead on 38 minutes when Ronnachai's shot from the edge of the box was deflected off a Sisaket defender into the net.

The lively Gilbert Koomson laid on Tero's second with a precise pass from the right, allowing Leesaw to strike home what proved to be the winner midway through the second half.

Rathinho pulled back a late goal for Sisaket from the spot after Piyachart clumsily tackled Tana in the box.

In the other FA Cup tie tonight, Pattaya were thumped 6-0 at home by Muangthong United.

The 8 remaining teams in the FA Cup are: Buriram PEA, Muangthong, BEC Tero, Sriracha, Army Utd, Songkla, Chainat and Loei City. I'm not sure when the draw for the quarter finals will be made, but I assume it will be in the next couple of days.