Bangkok FC 4-1 BBCU

Bangkok FC moved a step further away from the relegation zone with a comfortable 4-1 win over BBCU.

It was nonetheless BBCU who came quickly out of the traps as they forced three early chances in the first five minutes. Bayongon Osse, in the Bangkok goal, had to get down sprightly to tip a header from Anucha Chuaysri around the post.

However it was Samual Danquah who put the Bulligans ahead when he nipped in front of a BBCU defender to hit the opener, and a Josef Tirer shot that beat Beyeme in the BBCU goal saw the Bulligans 2-0 up after 17 minutes.

Ononiwu Julius beat the offside trap five minutes before the break to half the deficit, but Josef Tirer restored the two goal lead a minute later with a crisp strike to give the home side a 3-1 advantage at half time.

The second half never reached the excitement of the first half as Bangkok sat back and waited to pounce on the counter attack.

BBCU's misery was complete in injury time when substitute Lee Tuck scored Bangkok's fourth from inside the penalty box.

It wasn't all doom and gloom for BBCU as Songkla lost at home to Bangkok United 2-0. That result leaves the Pink Power needing only one point to confirm promotion to the TPL. For the Iron Bulls, their first division status for 2012 hasn't been secured yet, but one more win should see them over the safety line.

Anyway, if you ever wondered why 99% of Thai football games kick off late, below is a 4 step guide demonstrated by Bangkok FC to help you:

The National Anthem

Team photo for facebook

Squad huddle

and finally, the starting 11 huddle

Weekend Preview 17-18 December

TPL
Army v Buriram PEA (Sat)
TOT v TTM Pichit (Sat)
Sriracha v Bangkok Glass (Sat)
Pattaya v Chiang Rai Utd (Sat)
Sisaket v Muangthong (Sun)
Samut Songkhram v Thai Port (Sun)
Navy v Osotspa (Sun)
BEC Tero v Chonburi (Sun)
Police v Khon Kaen (Sun)

Buriram PEA will wrap up the TPL title if they can beat Army United on Saturday. Their inevitable title celebrations will come earlier than expected as nearest challengers Muangthong have endured a week that they'll want to forget. Last weekend they let a 2-0 lead slip deep into injury time at Khon Kaen and on Wednesday evening they suffered their first ever home TPL defeat after they were humbled by lowly Siam Navy 3-1. Club owner, Rawi Lohtong, lambasted his side in the press after they squandered the 2 goal lead at Khon Kaen and you have to wonder what the media tycoon had to say after the home defeat to Navy. With Rawi's hiring and firing policy, it looks doubtful that Robbie Fowler will still be in the Muanthong hot seat when the 2012 league season commences.
Anyway on the pitch, Muangthong have a difficult task this weekend with a long trip to Sisaket. Another defeat for the Nontaburi side could leave them trailing second placed Chonburi by 6 points if the Sharks can claim three points at BEC Tero. At the bottom, time is running out for Khon Kaen and Sriracha. The two strugglers meet Pathumthani sides with Sriracha hosting Bangkok Glass and Khon Kaen travelling to Suphanburi to meet Police United. A poor run of three consecutive defeats has seen Samut Songkhram slip into the relegation places. They will face an inform Thai Port side who are unbeaten in five. The two sides sitting just above the drop zone, Navy and TOT, will both be confident of collecting three points as they welcome Osotspa and TTM Phichit respectively.

Division 1
Chantaburi v Air Force (Sat)
Saraburi v Chainat (Sat)
Customs v Suphanburi (Sat)
Thai Honda v Phuket (Sat)
Chiang Mai v JW Rangsit (Sat)
Bangkok FC v BBCU (Sun)
Buriram v Raj Pracha (Sun)
PTT Rayong v RBAC (Sun)
Songkla v Bangkok United (Sun)

The first division promotion race has hardly set any pulses racing this season as the top 3 of Buriram FC, Chainat and BBCU have been miles ahead of the chasing pack for months now. Chainat just need a point to join Buriram FC in the top flight, while BBCU could accompany the other two if their result betters Songkla's on Sunday. It won't be easy for BBCU as they travel over the river to take on a Bangkok FC team who are fighting to survive the drop. Two recent away victories have helped the Bulligans creep away from danger. Plummeting in the opposite direction are Air Force United who have alarmingly only picked up 1 point from the last 12 available and more worryingly, they've failed to find the net since the 2nd of October. A loss at Chantaburi for the Airmen could see them fall into the relegation places for the first time this season if Customs can overcome Suphanburi at the Forza. The bottom two sides of Thai Honda and RBAC, will finally be condemned to second division football if they lose.

Division 2 Play-offs
(Group A) (Sunday)
Pattalung v Kasetsart
Loei v Phitsanoluk
Phichit v Ratchaburi

(Group B) (Saturday)
Krabi v Rayong
Nth Bangkok v Lamphun
Korat v Roi Et

In Group A, Ratchaburi are already promoted as winners of the group. Second placed Pattalung should join them as a home victory over bottom placed Kasetsart would guarantee them second spot. Failure to collect 3 points for Pattalung would leave the door open for the winners of Loei and Phitsanoluk to sneak into the second promotion place.

The only game of any real significance in Group B is Krabi v Rayong. A win or draw would be good enough for Krabi to join Korat in Division 1. A victory for Rayong though, would see the Wild Horses hurdle over Krabi into the top 2. It will be party time in Korat as they host fellow north east neighbors Roi Et. The pressure is finally off the Swatcats and the home fans will be able to relax for the first time in months.

Weekend Review 10-11 December

TPL

TOT 0-0 Sisaket

Khon Kaen 2-2 Muangthong

Sriracha 0-1 Buriram PEA

Samut Songkhram 2-3 TTM Phichit

Chiang Rai 2-1 Osotspa

Police Utd 3-1 Bangkok Glass

BEC Tero 0-0 Thai Port

Army 2-0 Navy

Chonburi 2-2 Pattaya

Buriram PEA only require six points to be crowned TPL champions after Franck Ohandza's netted the only goal of the game in their 1-0 win at Sriracha. Muangthong United looked to be comfortably holding out for a victory at Khon Kaen as they held a 2-0 lead in the 89th minute. However some unconvincing goalkeeping proved costly for MTU as two injury time goals salvaged the league's bottom side a point. In the Eastern Seaboard derby it finished 2-2, while Police United were triumphant in the Pathumthani clash as two early goals helped them see off Bangkok Glass 3-1. The downtown Bangkok derby ended 0-0, and a short distance up the road in Din Daeng, Army won the bragging rights of the military clubs as they beat Navy 2-0. TOT moved up a place to 14th as they shared the spoils with Sisaket at the TOT Stadium.

Division 1

Air Force 0-0 Suphanburi

Chantaburi 0-0 BBCU

Chainat 4-0 Raj Pracha

Saraburi 1-0 JW Rangsit

Chiang Mai 1-2 PTT Rayong

Customs 1-0 RBAC

Thai Honda 0-1 Bangkok United

Buriram FC 7-0 Phuket

Buriram FC are now only one win off being Division 1 title holders after they demolished Phuket 7-0. Chainat's comfortable 4-0 win over Raj Pracha leaves the Hornbills on the brink of promotion. One point from their last four games will guarantee TPL football for Chainat. Similarly, BBCU only need 4 points to confirm their place in the top flight after they earned a decent point down in Chantaburi. A point for Air Force halted their three game losing streak and with games in hand over their relegation opponents, the Blue Eagles should just about have enough to stay up. An injury time winner for Customs over RBAC lifted them out of the relegation zone above Bangkok FC as the Bulligans had the weekend off. Division 1 will shortly be saying "adios" to RBAC and Thai Honda as they are all but mathematically down after they both suffered 1-0 losses on Sunday.

Division 2 Play-offs

(Group A)

Kasetsart 1-1 Loei City

Phitsanoluk 2-3 Ratchaburi

Phichit 4-2 Pattalung

(Group B)

Roi Et 0-0 Krabi

Rayong 1-0 Lamphun

North Bangkok 0-2 Korat

Ratchaburi and Korat reserved their places in Division 1 next year as both sides racked up away victories. The two teams from the south, Krabi and Pattalung, were looking nailed on for promotion a couple of weeks ago, but the "jitter bugs" have set in and the southern duo need home victories next weekend to secure the second promotion berths.
It was an entertaining round of fixtures in Group A. Ratchaburi were always in control after they raced into a two goal lead in the first 10 minutes at Phitsanoluk. In the day's earlier game, Loei City blew their promotion chances as they could only draw 1-1 at struggling Kasetsart. Pattalung could have been promoted if they had beaten Phichit, but they lost their second successive game in the north. Nonetheless, Pattalung will go into the last round of fixtures as favourites to join Ratchaburi in Division 1 with a home game against Kasetsart surely a home banker.

Surprise package Korat, booked their spot in the 2012 Division 1 with a 2-0 away win over North Bangkok. They jumped over Krabi to the summit of the group as the Andaman Eagles could only take a point in Roi Et. Krabi now sit one place and one point above Rayong after the Wild Horses edged out Lamphun, and the winner of next week's clash between the pair, will join Korat in the first division next term.

Group A Standings: Ratchaburi 19, Pattalung 14, Loei 13, Phitsanoluk 13, Phichit 10, Kasetsart 5
Group B Standings: Korat 19, Krabi 18, Rayong 17, Roi Et 11, Nth Bkk 5, Lamphun 4

Midweek Fixtures (All Wednesday)
TPL
Chonburi v Sriracha
Muangthong v Navy
Khon Kaen v BEC Tero


Division 1
Raj Pracha v Bangkok FC
Saraburi v Songkla

Samut Prakarn Customs United 1-0 RBAC

Forza Stadium

Substitute Emmanual Ndjock scored an injury time winner to secure a narrow win over RBAC at the Forza Stadium and lift Customs out of the relegation zone.

Emmanual Ndjock had only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes when he latched onto a goal kick to slot the winner two minutes into injury time.

RBAC half time team talk

After an even first half, it was Customs who had the better chances after the break with Jirawat Sarunwan and Artorn Saingam coming close on a couple of occasions for the Lat Krabang side.

Leonel Saint Prux

RBAC's best chances came in the first half with a Leonel Saint Prux shot that was tipped over the bar and a Suchart Chaiyai free kick that struck the woodwork.

Good catch!!

The 1-0 win was probably a fair result as Customs were rewarded for their second half pressure. RBAC now have to win their last three games and hope that other results work in their favour if they have any chance of avoiding the drop to Division 2 next season.

Incidentally, when I hear the words "the Forza Stadium," it conjures images of Italia 90 and the San Siro or the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa - not a paintball field with four small Subbuteo stands next to a temple adjacent to "Swampy" airport.

Attendance: 480

North Bangkok 0-2 Korat

Korat's 2-0 victory over North Bangkok earned the Swatcats their place in Division 1 next season. Results from elsewhere conspired to work in favour for Korat and it now leaves an intriguing winner takes all game between Krabi and Rayong next weekend to see who goes up with Korat.

The game today bizarely started 4 minutes ahead of schedule and finished with a lunar eclipse visable in the Bangkok skyline. Both are rare occurrences and I wouldn't like to put my money on which one I will see next!!

The first half was fairly even and within a few minutes, the home side thought they had taken the lead, but their goal was ruled out for offside.

Korat had a couple of decent chances in the first period with a Prompong header striking the post, and shortly before the break, Marcel should have done better when he got to the ball before the advancing North Bangkok keeper, but he tamely screwed his shot wide from outside the area.

Ten minutes into the second half, Korat took the lead through a Jiranwut shot after he'd linked up well with Marcel.

The game was over 20 minutes from time when Marcel headed home a Jagkree corner.

Korat held out without any threat from North Bangkok as the Swatcat fans anxiously tried to find out results from elsewhere. Once the Krabi result came through, the players, officials and fans of Korat celebrated at the final whistle. I expect there will be a party atmosphere next week in Korat when they host Roi Et for their final game.

Weekend Preview 10-11 December

TPL

TOT v Sisaket (Sat)

Khon Kaen v Muangthong (Sat)

Sriracha v Buriram PEA (Sat)

Samut Songkhram v TTM Phichit (Sat)

Chiang Rai v Osotspa (Sun)

Police Utd v Bangkok Glass (Sun)

BEC Tero v Thai Port (Sun)

Army v Navy (Sun)

Chonburi v Pattaya (Sun)

There is a downtown Bangkok and Pathumthani derby to wet the appetite of local fans this weekend. The last time Police and Bangkok Glass met in the league, it produced a 5-3 cracker with a Sarayoot hat-trick helping BG to win. This time though the game will be played in Suphanburi instead of Pathumthani. It was also a high scoring game earlier in the season when Thai Port and BEC Tero clashed at the PAT Stadium with the Khlong Toei side edging out Tero in a 5 goal thriller. Army United will be favourites against Siam Navy in the battle of the military sides, and likewise Muangthong should be expecting to haul all 3 points from their trip up to Khon Kaen. TOT's sequence of home games continues with the visit of an off colour Sisaket team.

Division 1

Air Force v Suphanburi (Sat)

Chantaburi v BBCU (Sat)

Chainat v Raj Pracha (Sat)

Saraburi v JW Rangsit (Sat)

Chiang Mai v PTT Rayong (Sat)

Customs v RBAC (Sun)

Thai Honda v Bangkok United (Sun)

Buriram FC v Phuket (Sun)

Bangkok FC v Songkla (31 Dec)

Times have been tough lately for Air Force United both on and off the field. Their home stadium was victim to severe flooding while on the playing front, poor form and lack of games have seen them drop to the verge of the relegation zone. On Saturday, they will face Suphanburi at Ramkhamheang University Stadium. Customs have a winnable game against RBAC and victory for them would heap more pressure onto the Airmen if they lose to Suphanburi. At the other end of the table, BBCU travel down to Chantaburi to face the Hares who have won their last two outings. A victory for Chainat over Raj Pracha on Saturday would leave the Hornbills needing just one solitary point to confirm their place at the top table next season.

Division 2 Play-offs

(Group A) (Sunday)

Kasetsart v Loei City

Phitsanoluk v Ratchaburi

Phichit v Pattalung

(Group B) (Saturday)

Roi Et v Krabi

Rayong v Lamphun

North Bangkok v Korat

It crunch time as the playoffs enter their penultimate round of fixtures this weekend. Group A is interestingly poised with 4 teams vying for the two promotion spots. A victory for top of the league Ratchaburi at third placed Phitsanoluk would be enough to fire the Dragons into Division 1. However, 3 points for Phitsanoluk would move them onto 16 points, level with Ratchaburi. The team currently sandwiched between these two sides in the table, Pattalung, travel up north again this time to Phichit. The Swallows flight up north last time out was disappointing as they lost 1-0 at Loei City. That victory kept City in the promotion picture and they’ll be expecting to collect 3 points at Kasetsart in Kampaeng Saen.

Group B has less promotion permutations as it’s now a 3 horse race between Krabi, Korat and Rayong. On paper, Krabi have the most daunting task this Saturday as they make the long journey up to Roi Et. Whispers coming out of Roi Et this week suggest that there are several unhappy campers amongst the playing staff after the White Squirrels disappointing playoff campaign. Korat will meet North Bangkok in central Bangkok at the Thephasadin. North Bangkok have lost their three previous home games and if Korat can make that number four, the Swatcats would be on the brink of promotion. Third placed Rayong return to their home stadium after they were forced to play their last game in nearby Sattahip. The guests this week in Rayong are Lamphun Warriors and anything other than a home win would most likely see the end of Rayong’s promotion bid.

Thai Port 1-0 Chonburi

Thai Port moved into the top half of the TPL courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Chonburi.

The 4pm kick off started in Khlong Toei with barely a few hundred spectators inside the PAT Stadium. If the game had been played on a weekend, I'm sure the crowd for the opening of the match would have been quadrupled.

The game though was a decent throughout as both teams had numerous chances.

The best effort of the first half came shortly before the interval when Pipob's header from a Therdsak cross was fantastically blocked by Munze with his right leg.

Shortly into the second half, the home side's keeper was called upon again to beat away a Highuchi shot from close range with his right arm.

As the game entered the final third, Chonburi seemed to lose impotence upfront as Thai Port began to press for a winner. The threat of Ekkapoom was evident all game, and with 10 minutes left on the clock, the wee man was at the near post to nod in a Mongkol freekick.

The rest of the game was most noticeable for Chonburi's keeper Sintaweechai attempting to play centre forward for the Sharks as they desperately searched for an equalizer.

Tonight was one of those games that could have gone either way. Had it been played earlier in the season when Chonburi were on fine form, or even when Thai Port were going through their wretched run under Thongchai when he first took over, then I'm sure Chonburi would have won this game. Today though, Thai Port played with the spirit that has seen them take 10 points out of the last 12.

Attendance: 2*15 - I didn't hear correctly what the 2nd digit was :(

Weekend Review 3-4 December

TPL
Chonburi 2-1 Army
Police 0-2 Muangthong
Bangkok Glass 2-0 BEC Tero
TOT 1-0 Sriracha
Osotspa 2-1 Sisaket
TTM 1-2 Navy
Pattaya 3-0 Khon Kaen
Thai Port 1-1 Chiang Rai Utd
Buriram PEA 3-0 Samut Songkhram

The relegation picture took a new twist after this round of fixtures as TOT defeated Sriracha 1-0 and Siam Navy came from behind to win 2-1 at TTM Phichit. The 386 spectators in Chaeng Wattana had to wait until the 81st minute for Kone Mohammed's penalty spot winner. Navy's 85th minute winner keeps them to within 2 points of safety. Losses for Sriracha and Khon Kaen leaves them both staring ominously at Division 1 football next season. The battle for 2nd place remains as tight as ever after Saturday victories for Chonburi and Muangthong. Chonburi beat Army 2-1 despite playing the majority of the second half with only 10 players, and two early goals for Muangthong saw them comfortably hold off Police Utd in Chainat. The BG fans finally had something to smile about after weeks of misery has surrounded the Leo Stadium. Two second half goals from the Glass Rabbits ensured they completed the double over BEC Tero this season.  On Sunday, the mid-table battle in Klong Toei between Thai Port and Chiang Rai Utd predictably ended with honours even. The 1-1 was the fourth time this season that these two sides have drawn matches with each other.

Division 1
RBAC 0-0 Thai Honda
Songkla 2-3 Chiang Mai
Bangkok Utd 1-2 Bangkok FC
Suphanburi 0-2 Buriram FC
JW Rangsit 2-1 Customs
BBCU 1-0 Saraburi
Raj Pracha 0-3 PTT Rayong
Phuket 0-2 Chantaburi
Chainat 7-0 Air Force

Buriram FC left it late in Suphanburi with two goals just before full time. That victory ensures that the Lava have won promotion to the TPL. To win the title, Buriram only need 6 points from their last five outings. Third placed BBCU were far from convincing as they beat Saraburi 1-0. The Pink Power stay 12 points clear of fourth placed PTT Rayong. At the other end of the table, RBAC and Thai Honda cancelled each other out in a 0-0 draw. The point apiece does neither side much good as Chiang Mai and Bangkok FC both won. The Bulligans 2-1 victory at mid-table Bangkok United lifts them out of the relegation placings as Customs lost at JW Rangsit. Air Force finally returned to action with a 7-0 mauling at Chainat. The rusty Airmen must be looking nervously over their shoulders as they are now only 3 points above the drop zone. 

Division 2 Play-offs
(Group A)
Loei 1-0 Pattalung
Ratchaburi 4-0 Kasetsart
Phitsanoluk 3-1 Phichit

(Group B)
Krabi 0-1 Korat
Rayong 2-1 Nth Bkk
Lamphun 0-0 Roi Et

Group A has become very interestingly poised after Loei City beat Pattalung 1-0. As expected Ratchaburi were too strong for Kasetsart and likewise Phitsanoluk over Phichit. Ratchaburi now sit top on 16 points followed by Pattalung on 14, Phitsanoluk 13 and Loei 12.

Similarly Group B is curiously balanced after Korat beat Krabi in their own back yard to move one point behind the league leaders. It looks like it's two from three for promotion after Roi Et all but dropped out of the race with a 0-0 in Lamphun. Rayong kept themselves in third place with a 2-1 victory over North Bangkok in neutral Sattahip. With two games remaining Krabi have 17 points, Korat 16, Rayong 14 and Roi Et 10.

BBCU 1-0 Saraburi

Malick Ndape's goal kept BBCU looking odds on for promotion from Division 1 as Saraburi FC were narrowly defeated.

Team Line-ups

The first half was probably one of the worst I've seen since the infamous Germany v Austria second half way back in the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

Offside!!

Saraburi thought they had taken the lead on the hour mark but their goal was ruled out for offside by the assistant referee.

As the game looked to be heading out to a goalless stalemate, BBCU moved ahead when a long free kick into the box wasn't collected by the Saraburi keeper and Malick was on hand to strike the ball into the net.

That was it as far as the action went and BBCU held on to the lead to maintain their 12 point lead over 4th place PTT Rayong.

Overall it was a disappointing game, and from what I saw tonight, BBCU would need to seriously invest in the squad if they have any chance to survive in the TPL next season.

One positive thing from tonight was the weather. Evening football in December is cool and pleasant to sit in for spectators. It's also nice not to have to attend the match with a raincoat awaiting the inevitable downpour that we see between May to October. I'm certainly in favour of the Thai football season being played outwith the rainy season.

Thai FA Cup Draw - Last 8 & Semi Final

Loei City v Songkla

Muangthong v Sriracha

Buriram PEA v BEC Tero

Army Utd v Chainat

Ties to be played on 4th January.

The semi final line up is:

Loei City/Songkla v Muangthong/Sriracha

Buriram PEA/BEC Tero v Army Utd/Chainat

The semi final ties to be played on 7th January.

The final will be played on Wednesday 11th January