Weekend Review 26-27 May

TPL
Bangkok Glass 1-2 Buriram Utd
Thai Port 2-2 Chainat
BEC Tero 2-1 TOT
Samut Songkhram 0-0 Isan United
Chiang Rai Utd 4-3 Osotspa Saraburi
Pattaya Utd 1-0 Wuachon Utd
TTM 0-1 BBCU
Muangthong 2-0 Chonburi
Army 1-1 Police

Muangthong United scored two goals in the last ten minutes to win the much anticipated clash between themselves and Chonburi. Mario Gjurovski curled one in from a left footed free kick to give the Kirins the lead in the 83rd minute. In the 89th minute the game was put to bed when Phichitpong made it 2-0 with a powerful shot from the edge of the box.

Wee Frank was the hero for Buriram United with two goals against Bangkok Glass. Many people have begun to write Buriram off after the wheels dishearteningly fell off in their AFC campaign. Saturday's result shows that they they are still the side to beat in the TPL. Bangkok Glass did pull a goal back coutesy of the once reliable Ekwalla who put one into his own net. Nevertheless, the game will be remembered for another goal that never was. At 1-0 down , a shot from Michelini of BG rattled the bar, bounced over the line and then bounced back again off the underside of the bar before it spun back out into play. It clearly crossed the line but as with the Chainat v BEC game last week, it wasn't spotted by referee or linesman. In all fairness, it happened quickly so I think we can excuse the referee for not seeing it. However the linesman should have had a clear view, but instead he stood their motionless with his flag clasped to his backside.

The Cleiton Silva official fan club (they do exist) would have been proud of their idol after his double against TOT. The ex-Osotspa man took his chances well but TOT will be disappointed with their defending for the goals. That 2-1 win meant Tero reclaimed second spot from Bangkok Glass.

In Klong Toei, an improved Thai Port snatched a point against 10 man Chainat. Brazilians Bruno and Alex Ruella both netted their first goals for the club as they home side twice had to come from behind. In between the goals, Chainat's Sumet left the field wearing an oxygen match on a stretcher after he'd been dismissed for two yellow cards. To round off the day's entertainment, there was an incident near the end involving a moronic pitch invader, a punching club official and flying flip-flops.

It was a goal feast up in Chiang Rai as the hosts edged out Osotspa 4-3. All four of the Fighting Beetles goals were headers from crosses with Choklap being credited with three of them. At the other end of the excitement spectrum, it was an absolute stinker as Samut Songkhram drew 0-0 with Isan Utd. 

A long range free-kick from Niweat was the difference between Pattaya and Wuachon as the Dolphins won 1-0. There was to be no goal on his return to the Army Stadium for Leandro but he'll be pleased that his side fought back in the second half to earn a 1-1 draw. And finally, Jacob Aikionbare scored his first TPL goal since last May as BBCU beat TTM 1-0.

Division 1
Bangkok FC 1-2 Korat
Bangkok Utd 3-1 Raj Pracha
Khon Kaen 1-0 JW Rangsit
Sriracha 0-2 PTT Rayong
Saraburi 3-1 Krabi
Pattalung 1-1 Siam Navy
Air Force 3-1 Chantaburi
Ratchaburi 3-0 FC Phuket
Suphanburi 3-1 Songkla

There were a few unexpected results as Korat, PTT Rayong and Saraburi all defeated opponents higher ranked in the table while Ratchaburi scored three second half goals against Phuket to stay top.

A bumper crowd of 1,080 watched Bangkok United move into the promotion places as they came from behind to beat Raj Pracha 3-1. The away side's keeper, Kritsanapong, was dismissed late on for a pointless lunge at an attacker outside the box. The other side occupying a top 3 spot, Suphanburi, also won 3-1 with all four goals coming in a 12 minute burst in the second half.

There was a scary moment in Khon Kaen as Chinese defender, Li Xiang, had to have his heart pumped after he was knocked unconscious by a clash of heads with his own teammate. Thankfully the big man recovered and he'll have been doubly happy that the T-Rex beat JW Rangsit 1-0 to move into the top half of the league. 

Division 2 (Bangkok)
Central Lions 1-2 Globex
Samut Sakhon 1-0 Luk Isan
Thai Honda 3-2 Assumption Thonburi
Rayong Utd 1-0 Samut Prakarn Utd
Chamchuri Utd 1-1 R-BEC
Customs Utd 0-0 Rangsit FC
Kasetsart 3-2 North Bangkok
Krung Thonburi 2-2 Kasem Bundit
Bangkok Christian 1-0 Nonthaburi

Thai Honda, Samut Sakhon and Rayong United are pulling away at the top after they all enjoyed narrow home wins on Saturday. As usual, there will be lots of comings and goings during the mid-season transfer window and I expect that there will be other challengers emerging from the chasing pack as the season progresses.
At the bottom end, Bangkok Christian's first win of the season moved them past their weekend opponents, Nonthaburi, in the placings.