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.