Division 2 Playoff Fixtures

Group A

(Saturday 5 October)
Kasetsart v Luk Esan
Nara Utd v Roi Et Utd
Prachuap v Phitsanulok

(Saturday 12 October)
Luk Esan v Prachuap
Nara Utd v Kasetsart
Phitsanulok v Roi Et Utd

(Sunday 20 October)
Phitsanulok v Luk Esan
Prachuap v Nara Utd
Roi Et Utd v Kasetsart

(Sunday 27 October)
Kasetsart v Prachuap
Luk Esan v Roi Et Utd
Nara Utd v Phitsanulok

(Saturday 2 November)
Luk Esan v Nara Utd
Phitsanulok v Kasetsart
Roi Et Utd v Prachuap

(Saturday 9 November)
Kasetsart v Phitsanulok
Nara Utd v Luk Esan
Prachuap v Roi Et Utd

(Saturday 16 November)
Phitsanulok v Nara Utd
Prachuap v Kasetsart
Roi Et Utd v Phitsanulok

(Saturday 23 November)
Kasetsart v Roi Et Utd
Luk Esan v Phitsanulok
Nara Utd v Prachuap

(Sunday 1 December)
Kasetsart v Nara Utd
Prachuap v Luk Esan
Roi Et Utd v Phitsanulok

(Sunday 8 December)
Luk Esan v Kasetsart
Phitsanulok v Prachuap
Roi Et Utd v Nara Utd

Group B

(Sunday 6 October)
Nakhon Nayok v Chiang Mai Utd
Paknampo NSRU v Ang Thong
Sukhothai v Udon Thani

(Sunday 13 October)
Ang Thong v Udon Thani
Chiang Mai v Paknampo NSRU
Sukhothai v Nakhon Nayok

(Saturday 19 October)
Ang Thong v Chiang Mai
Paknampo NSRU v Sukhothai
Udon Thani v Nakhon Nayok

(Saturday 26 October)
Chiang Mai v Udon Thani
Nakhon Nayok v Paknampo NSRU
Sukhothai v Ang Thong

(Sunday 3 November)
Ang Thong v Nakhon Nayok
Chiang Mai v Sukhothai
Udon Thani v Paknampo NSRU

(Sunday 10 November)
Nakhon Nayok v Ang Thong
Paknampo NSRU v Udon Thani
Sukhothai v Chiang Mai

(Sunday 17 November)
Ang Thong v Sukhothai
Paknampo NSRU v Nakhon Nayok
Udon Thani v Chiang Mai

(Sunday 24 November)
Chiang Mai v Ang Thong
Nakhon Nayok v Udon Thani
Sukhothai v Paknampo NSRU

(Saturday 30 November)
Nakhon Nayok v Sukhothai
Paknampo NSRU v Chiang Mai
Udon Thani v Ang Thong

(Saturday 7 December)
Ang Thong v Paknampo NSRU
Chiang Mai v Nakhon Nayok
Udon Thani v Sukhothai

Division 2 Playoffs Draw

Group A
Kasetsart
Luk Esan Thai Airways
Nara Utd
Roi Et Utd
Prachuap
Phitsanulok

Group B
Ang Thong
Sukhothai
Chiang Mai
Paknampo NSRU
Udon Thani
Nakhon Nayok

Teams will play each other home and away and the top two from each group will be promoted to the first division. The opening fixtures will be played on the 5th October.

In Group A Roi Et will start as favorites and they'll be hoping it's third time lucky after two failures in the last two seasons. Phitsanulok will fancy their chances of making it and nobody will relish travelling to Nara Utd. The other three sides can't be written off either.

There is no doubting that Chiang Mai are the side to beat in Group B.Udon Thani have shown in the League Cup that they have what it takes and Pakhampo will surely be in the hunt too. Similar to Group B, the other three sides are in with a decent shout too.

Fixtures to follow:

Sunday 22 September Review

TPL

Army Utd 0-0 Buriram Utd
Bangkok Utd 1-1 Bangkok Glass
Osotspa Saraburi 1-1 Police Utd
Pattaya Utd 3-0 Chainat

The Army v Buriram contest was a washout ending 0-0. The Thunder Castle had the better chances but couldn't make the vital breakthrough. The point maintains Buriram's five point lead over Muangthong as the season enters the home straight. 

Pattaya moved six points clear of the relegation placing with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Chainat. Marian Juhas headed the Dolphins ahead just after the half hour before Ajoku Obinna netted a rebound to make it 2-0 before the interval. Jeera rounded things off in the 77th minute shooting home from an acute angle.

In Din Daeng, Piyachart was red carded for BG after an altercation with Wittaya. Despite being a man down, it was Glass who took the lead in 31st minute when Flavien Michelini flicked home with the outside of his right boot. The ten men couldn't hold out as Naruphol followed in to level after a weak goalkeeping flap.

Kobenan gave Osotspa a third minute lead in their 1-1 draw with Police Utd. Michael Murcy crashed a penalty onto the crossbar yet his blushes were spared when Pinyo equalized with the last kick off the game.



Division 1
Bangkok FC 4-1 Siam Navy
Krabi 4-1 Rayong FC
Nakhon Ratchasima 3-2 Khon Kaen
PTT Rayong 2-2 Singh Tarua

The big game of the day ended 2-2 between PTT Rayong and Singh Tarua. Phaisan headed the hosts infront before Leandro canceled the lead out with a header of his own. The slapstick moment of the day ended with the unfortunate Decha sliding home Ivan's goalbound effort after a comedy of errors between goalkeeper and defence. Phaisan stabbed home from close range in the 71st minute to bag his second of the day and in doing so earned his side a point.

Lee Tuck got his picture back onto the TPL official top goal scorer list with a hat-trick against Siam Navy. His first was a crisp drive form 25 yards and he then netted two from the penalty spot. In between, Seksan was dismissed and Souleymane Coulibaly levelled for Navy. Anonio Pina added some gloss to the result in the 94th minute.

Rayong FC's survival bid took a severe dent as they were pounded 4-1 at Krabi while Nakhon Ratchasima won the bragging rights of the north-east with a 3-2 win over Khon Kaen. The attendance of 23,844 in Korat was the division's highest of the season.

Army United 0-0 Buriram United

The impending dark rainclouds in Bangkok burst open moments before the match was about to commence and it made conditions almost unplayable.

During the first half I could barely see the pitch as the rain was pelting down furiously. My recollection of the half was a decent shout from Aron da Silva for a penalty as he was bundled over in the box, and a lunging Suchao effort following a corner which he skied over at the back post.

Osmar spurned the best opening of the match ten minutes into the second half when he spooned over an Anawin cross from inside the six yard box.

Lindemann came closest for Army but his attempt landed on the roof of the net.

Kai Hirano could have won the contest late on for Buriram but he got stuck in a puddle as he tried to round the Army keeper and his shot landed ridiculously wide of the target.

Given the conditions coupled with MTU's result yesterday, Buriram might grudgingly have accepted the 0-0 draw. For me the rain ruined a contest which I was looking forward to viewing. At this time of year, I suppose we have to accept that some games are going to be washouts.

Saturday 21 September Review

TPL

Saturday
BEC Tero 2-4 Chiang Rai Utd
Chonburi 5-1 Songkhla Utd
Samut Songkhram 1-1 Muangthong Utd

Only the most optimistic of Muangthong fans would consider the title race still to be alive after the champions dropped two points at lowly Samut Songkhram yesterday. Mark Babo capitalised on some soft defending to give the Raging Mackerels a 14th minute lead. MTU did level sixteen minutes from time when Chainarong headed home. The draw leaves Muanghthong four points behind Buriram and that could be extended to seven later today if Buriram are successful at Army United.

Anurak Srikerd got of to a flying start in his first game in the CRU hotseat with a 4-2 win at BEC Tero. The new coach had barely taken his seat in the dug-out when goals from Nix and Leonardo gave his side a 2-0 lead. Tero fought back after the interval with Cleiton netting twice, but Narul and Choklap ensured the former Phatthalung coach got off to a winning start. The Fighting Beetles are currently three points from safety.

Songkhla United must be wishing the season was over after they suffered a 5-1 drubbing at Chonburi. The returning Thiago Cunha opened the scoring in the 18th minute before Assumpcao doubled that lead three minutes later. Former Chonburi man Darko did pull one back before the break, but three second half goals courtesy of Thiago, Ajayi and a cheeky Therdsak penalty completed a miserable evening for the Fighting Bull.

Division 1

Saturday
Ayutthaya 3-3 Saraburi
Nakhon Pathom Utd 2-0 BBCU
Phuket 0-0 Trat
Rayong Utd 2-2 Air Force
TTM 2-1 Sriracha

A crowd of 275 watched bottom club Rayong United hold leaders Air Force to a 2-2 draw. Noppol's shot just crept over the line to give the Elephant Warrior the lead before Julius Oiboh's fine solo goal levelled in the 55th minute. Four minutes later, Anat restored the lead for RU but yet again Air Force fought back with a Zezinando thunderbolt. The draw ensures Air Force will remain at the top after this round of fixtures. Rayong United are still six points from safety.

The match of the day came at Ayutthaya as they shared six goals with neighbors Saraburi. The Red Knight took a 2-0 lead into the break with strikes from Yutthana and Nakarin. However, by the midway point of the second half it was all square as Durosinmi and Pongtep found the back of the net. Bernhard Henry restored the lead for Saraburi before Sathit curled a free kick home to equalise in the 87th minute. The point edges the Ancient Warriors three ahead of second bottom Rayong FC.

Elsewhere a brace from Nirut helped TTM beat Sriracha 2-1 while Ablorh and Houma were on target for Nakhon Pathom United as they beat BBCU 2-0. Phuket v Trat finished goalless.

Matchday 29 Preview

TPL

Saturday
BEC Tero v Chiang Rai Utd
Chonburi v Songkhla Utd
Ratchaburi P-P Sisaket
Samut Songkhram v Muangthong Utd

Sunday
Army Utd v Buriram Utd
Bangkok Utd v Bangkok Glass
Osotspa Saraburi v Police Utd
Pattaya Utd v Chainat
TOT v Suphanburi

After a run of six games which has seen Chiang Rai Utd collect only two points, the Fighting Beetles have turned to BG's Anurak Srikerd to save them from the drop. With six fixtures to fulfill plus the concluding last quarter from the abandoned Samut Songkhram match, it was deemed by the top brass that Henk Wisman's services weren't sufficient to prevent the club from taking the drop. The northerners have only won twice all season and they'll possibly need to win four of their remaining fixtures to have any realistic chance of staying up. Anurak has a tough start this Saturday with Tero (A), followed by Army (H) and Chonburi (A). They'll then conclude the Samut Songkhram game before three winnable contests against Ratchaburi (H), Pattaya Utd (A) and Bangkok Utd (H).

Another foreign coach enduring tough times is Franz Schwarzwalder of Songkhla United. Since the German replaced Jadet Meelarp at the end of leg 1, Songkhla have only collected six points from ten games, and have been scoring an average of 0.5 goals a game. Thankfully, the Fighting Bulls have enough points in the bank not to be dragged into relegation matters. Nevertheless, you will get long odds on them winning at Chonburi this weekend.

Also on Saturday, Muangthong could briefly reduce the gap on Buriram to two points should they win at Samut Songkhram. It won't be easy as the stadium in Samut Songkhram will be packed and playing on their notoriously soaked pitch at the peak of the rainy season makes it a lottery. This match was originally scheduled for Sunday but it was brought forward 24 hours at the request of Muangthong to give them extra time to prepare for next Wednesday's FA Cup semi final with Buriram

The bulk of the weekend action takes place on Sunday. Buriram are in Bangkok to visit Army Utd. The Thunder Castle will need no reminding that they spurned a 3-0 lead last year at the Royal Thai Army Stadium as Army fought back for a point. Army United are currently involved in the scrap for fourth place with Suphanburi and Bangkok Glass. The latter pair will also be in the capital with Suphanburi at TOT and Glass at Bangkok United.

If you cut the Osotspa v Police tie in half you would see 'mid-table' boldly printed inside of it. Eighth place Osotspa are currently four points ahead of Police who sit one place below them in ninth.
Pattaya's mini three game revival came to an end last week at Bangkok Glass. The visit of Chainat gives them a reasonable chance to get back on the winning trail.

Division 1

Saturday
Ayutthaya v Saraburi
Nakhon Pathom Utd v BBCU
Phuket v Trat
Rayong Utd v Air Force
TTM v Sriracha

Sunday
Bangkok FC v Siam Navy
Krabi v Rayong FC
Nakhon Ratchasima v Khon Kaen
PTT Rayong v Singh Tarua

The main clash of this round takes place on Sunday between PTT Rayong and Singh Tarua. The Port Lions have been formidable at the PAT Stadium lately with eight successive wins. Away from home, they've lost their last four and their last away win came at TTM over three months ago. The month of September hasn't been kind to PTT Rayong with only one point amassed out of a possible nine. In saying that, a win over Singh Tarua would leave them with one foot firmly in the TPL door.
Elsewhere on Sunday, a win for Bangkok FC over Siam Navy would see them close the gap on at least one of the aforementioned sides. The Iron Bulls have lost their last two games to lower half opposition so they won't be taking Navy lightly.
Rayong FC's last trip to Krabi ended painfully in 2011 when a 93rd minute equalizer earned Krabi promotion from the regional leagues at the expense of the Wild Horses. Nonetheless, a win for Rayong FC this weekend would be their fourth league win on the trot and would consequently suck Krabi back into the relegation mire.
The Esan derby has more riding on it for Khon Kaen than Nakhon Ratchasima as the T-Rex are only five points above the relegation line while the Swatcats are only 90 minutes off a place in the final of the Toyota league Cup. They'll start as favorites for the second leg after they fought out a goalless draw in Ratchaburi.

On Saturday, it's bottom versus top as Air Force travel to Rayong Utd. On paper it seems like an away banker but it should be noted that Air Force have only won once on their last seven road trips and that Rayong FC have collected seven from the last nine points available.
It should be packed at Ayutthaya as they welcome near neighbors Saraburi. The Ancient Warriors are only two points above safety and a home win is vital.
The winner of the TTM v Sriracha contest would virtually be home and dry while the matches between Nakhon Pathom v BBCU and Phuket v Trat have little riding on them other than pride.

Buriram Utd 1-2 Esteghlal (agg 1-3)

Brave Buriram United put up a gallant effort as their AFC Champions League adventure came to an end. The Thai league leaders dominated the opening 45 minutes but a second half fightback from Estaghlal saw them win 2-1.

Buriram were trailing 1-0 from the first leg and they started the second leg with no recognized striker. That left them with no focal point upfront and their best attacking threats came down the flanks in the opening period. Suree's low cross from the right caused panic in the visitor's box before it was eventually cleared. Suchao was then blocked out as he tried to connect with Jakkrapan's deflected cross from the other wing.

At the other end, Siwaruk got his body behind a stinging effort from Andranik in the fifth minute, but apart from that he was a spectator for the first 45 minutes.

The 1-0 first leg advantage for the Iranian side was wiped out in the 37th minute when an unmarked Osmar rose highest to nod home Jirawat's corner. There was no doubting that the Thai side bossed the first period as they took a one goal advantage into the break. 

The visitors changed their formation and brought on captain Farhad Majidi for the second half. The sub came close with a header shortly after his introduction as Esteghlal looked more lively.

In the 53rd minute Esteghlal got the crucial away goal that they were looking for. Omranzadeh outjumped Suree at the back post to head home a precise cross from Andranik.

Fahrad almost scored a spectacular overhead kick five minutes later but Osmar was in the right position to block.

The game lulled for 15 minutes as the Iranian side sat back to defend their advantage. Buriram pushed Osmar forward and he tested Rahmati with a shot from the edge of the box. Minutes later the big Spaniard had another free header from a corner but this time it was deflected wide.

In injury time, Esteghlal won the game on the night when Andranik lashed in a screamer from 35 yards. Siwaruk had no chance as it ended 3-1 on aggregate

Esteghlal will now meet FC Seoul in the semi final next Wednesday. On tonight's evidence they don't appear good enough to be the champions of Asia but they'll fancy their chances against FC Seoul.

For Buriram it's been a major achievement reaching the last 8 of the competition. Tonight if they'd had a proper attacking outlet, it could have been a different story. It's now back to the bread and butter of the TPL and a trip to Army United on Sunday.

Sunday15 September Review

TPL

Chainat 2-0 Ratchaburi
Songkhla Utd 1-2 Army Utd
Suphanburi 3-0 Bangkok Utd

Suphanburi got back to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over Bangkok United. Naphat headed the War Elephants into a 39th minute lead before late goals from from Sutee and Boskovic added a touch of gloss to the result.
Aron da Silva returned to Songkhla and bagged the winner in Army's 2-1 win. Tossawat fired the guests into the lead before Atitat levelled on the stroke of half time. Aron da Silva pounced on a defensive error to net the winner midway through the second period. Songkhla United are now nine without a win and only 1,921 locals were in attendance yesterday.
Sumanya scored directly from a corner to give Chianat an 18th minute lead over Ratchaburi. The Dragons had a great chance to level 12 minutes from time but Douglas blazed his spot kick over the bar. Somjet made it 2-0 five minutes into injury time to secure the three points for the Hornbills.

Division 1

BBCU 1-1 TTM
Khon Kaen 1-1 PTT Rayong
Rayong Utd 1-1 Nakhon Pathom Utd
Trat 1-1 Ayutthaya

Bizarrely all four Division 1 matches ended in 1-1 draws. Pipat's equalizer in the 42nd minute moved PTT Rayong seven points ahead of fourth placed Bangkok FC. For Khon Kaen they are five points above the drop zone.
Elsewhere at the foot of the table, Ayutthaya's draw at Trat edged them two points clear of Rayong FC while TTM's point at BBCU gives them a five point buffer. Rayong United's point at home to Nakhon Pathom United wasn't much use as they have a six point deficit to make up on third bottom Ayutthaya.

Raj Vithi 1-4 Kasetsart

Kasetsart booked their place in the Division 2 playoffs with a 4-1 victory over Raj Vithi.

It only took four minutes for the university side to open their account when a quickly taken free kick from the halfway line caught the Raj Vithi defence and the linesman napping. An offside Jakkaphan broke down the right before he squared the ball across the box for Chawin to score.

The hosts eventually came into the game and Watcharin's free kick forced Rungroj to punch over. From the consequent corner, the same man headed narrowly wide.

In the 24th minute, it was 2-0 when Jakkaphan burst through the home defence too easily. The advancing keeper got to the ball first, but his clearance was ineffective and Chawit beat the defender in attendance to prod home.

Kasetsart were in cruise control but they shot themselves in the foot seven minutes before the break as Arlindo da Silva tripped Pairat on the edge of the box. Kim then tucked the penalty into the bottom right corner to reduce the deficit.

The big Brazilian defender made amends nine minutes into the second period when he rose highest in the box to head home Suphan's free kick.

Raj Vithi tried to fight back and Songkrod twice came close. First he snuck in at the back post and sidefooted just wide, and then his long range free kick was spectacularly tipped over the bar by Rungroj.

Chawin should have completed his hat-trick three minutes from time but he rattled his shot from eight yards onto the bar after he'd been set up by Dion Marc. He did however complete his treble in the last minute when he tapped home after the keeper had parried Dion Marc's shot into his path.

The win means Kasetsart will enter the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. Last time, they were the whipping boys of their group. I can't see that happening again this time, but then again, I doubt Chiang Mai or Roi Et will be shaking in their boots at the prospect of facing Kasetsart.

Raj Vithi now go into hibernation for five months. The fact that they have no permanent home stadium, no shirt sponsor and more playing staff than fans makes it seem rather pointless to continue unless some investment is made.

Man of the Match: Chawin - Hat-trick hero

Kaset celebrate third goal

Saturday 14 September Review

TPL

Bangkok Glass 4-1 Pattaya Utd
Buriram Utd 2-0 BEC Tero
Chiang Rai Utd 0-3 Osotspa Saraburi
Muangthong Utd 2-1 TOT
Police Utd 0-1 Samut Songkhram

Time is surely running out on Chiang Rai United's TPL tenure after they were beaten 3-0 at the United Stadium by Osotspa Saraburi. The home side's defending was fairly shambolic as Kabfah, Anthony Moura and Chananan sent the bus load of Osotspa supporters home happy.
To make matters worse for CRU, Samut Songkhram grabbed an unexpected 1-0 win at Police United. Sittipan scored the only goal of the game in the 49th minute to move the Makerels seven points ahead of Chiang Rai United.
Pattaya's mini revival came to an end after they lost 4-1 at Bangkok Glass. The game was basically over in nine minutes as Leesaw and Lazarus gave BG a 2-0 lead. Suphasek and Korakod added two more in the second half while Efe Obode got Pattaya's goal.

It's as you were at the top with Buriram and Muangthong earning home wins. Adisak and Theerathon found the net for the Thunder Castle while it was Edivaldo and Teerasil for MTU. TOT did grab an injury time consolation and the match ended with Mario keeping goal for the last couple of minutes. 

Division 1

Rayong FC 1-0 Phuket
Saraburi 2-1 Air Force
Siam Navy 2-0 Nakhon Ratchasima
Singh Tarua 2-1 Krabi
Sriracha 2-0 Bangkok FC

The wheels are beginning to fall off Bangkok FC's promotion bid as they suffered their second successive 2-0 loss. Ivan Boskovic bagged a second half double for the Blue Marlins to move them onto 33 points. The Bulligans misery would have been compounded when a pair of Leandro goals inspired Singh Tarua to a 2-1 win over Krabi. It's now advantage to the former TPL side as they hold a three point cushion over the Bang Mot club.
Air Force would have breathed a sigh of relief at Bangkok FC's defeat as their 2-1 defeat at Saraburi still left them nine points clear of fourth spot. On a rain swept evening, Valery Djomon and Errol Stevens fired the Red Knights into an early lead before Hermann quickly pulled one back. Air Force had a controversial second half goal ruled out for offside as it finished 2-1 to Saraburi.

Rayong FC can't stopped winning with Chanatphol's penalty earning the plaudits over Phuket. The match officials yet again took center stage in a game at the Rayong Provincial Stadium. Kriangkrai had a headed goal chalked off which severely infuriated the Phuket players. Rayong's Anukorn was then given a second yellow card and he was shortly followed into the showers by Phuket's Thongchai. Ludo hit the bar for the Islanders as their winless streak moved onto seven matches.

Polawat received his third dismissal of the season as Nakhon Ratchasima lost 2-0 at Siam Navy. The sending off was sandwiched in between goals from Rafael Moretto and Souleymane Coulibaly.