The Story So Far (Part 3) - Business as Usual

Part 3 features the clubs that aren't expected to win the title but at the same time are far too good to go down.

Army United

Current Position: 4th

Optimism wasn’t high at the Home of Gentleman pre-season but so far most of the Army support have been pleasantly surprised with what they have seen. In hindsight, I really should have included Army in the 'surprise packages' section rather than this one. Matt Elliott has his side playing decent football and the unexpected emergence of Tanakorn has boosted his side’s goalscoring options. With Goran Jerkovic upfront as well, Army are guaranteed goals provided the Frenchman is provided ammunition inside the box. New signing Wellington Priori has become a fan favourite and similar to Anderson dos Santos at Chonburi, he is just as comfortable in the back four or playing the slightly more advanced defensive midfield role. Army finished 7^th last year and they won’t finish far off that spot again. They will face a stiff test in the month of May as four of their next five games are against the top 4 sides of 2013.

Osotspa Saraburi

Current Position: 7th

Osotspa have a decent roster of players and are looking good for a top six finish. The only hindrance appears to be their temporary home at the Rajamangala. Apart from a 7-0 thumping of Songkhla, they’ve had a lean time at the national arena. On the road, Osotspa are unbeaten and have enjoyed more success on their travels. With Chananan, Komenan and Aron da Silva, the Saraburi club have no shortage of firepower.

Chainat

Current Poition: 12th

The Hornbills apparently have one of the biggest budgets in the league yet they still linger in mid-table. Defensively they have been relatively sound but they don’t score enough goals. They'll need to capture a striker or two to provide them with sufficient goals if they are to attain a top half finish. Unfortunately for Chainat, the only award they look like they’ll be winning in 2014 is the worst shirt in the TPL.

Bangkok Glass

Current Position: 11th 

Bangkok Glass have continued to be consistently inconsistent. On their day they can beat the best and then follow that up with a dire performance against one of the weaker sides. They have struggled away from their astroturf and have lost four out of six away days. BG are good going forwards but a couple of new defenders must be a requirement when the transfer window reopens.

Suphanburi

Current Position: 9th

After a fourth placed finish last year, Suphanburi were expected to kick on and were considered title candidates. They brought in Mano Polking as coach from Army who then proceeded to bring Bjorn Lindemann and Jung Myung Oh with him. The fact that their position is no better than Army’s in 2013 shouldn't come as a big surprise. In all honesty, Mano has a tough act to follow after the club exceeded all expectations last season. Nonetheless, not even the most optimistic of the Suphanblood contingent would have predicted their 5-2 humbling of Muangthong last Sunday. That result coupled with Dragan Boskovic's imminent return from injury indicates that brighter times are ahead at Suphanburi after their sluggish start.

Chiang Rai United

Current Position: 13th

After their flirtation with relegation last season, the northern side are back into their more accustom mid-table position. Leandro Assumpcao has returned from Chonburi and is the club’s top goalscorer. Pichitpong has brought grit and experience to the middle of the park and home form should see them finish somewhere in the middle of the pack.

Bangkok Glass 0-0 Chonburi

The plaudits were shared as Bangkok Glass and Chonburi played out a 0-0 draw.

Chonburi's 4-5-1 formation struggled to make any headway in the opening period with Narit in the BG goal barely tested. Former Bangkok Glass favourite Samual Ajayi was given the lone striking role but he was largely ineffective as he had to keep coming deep to collect the ball. The lack of service in the final third meant that he couldn't use his pace to frighten defenders and Ajayi was comfortably marshaled by central defenders Subara and Pravinwat.  

The best chance of the half fell to BG's recent signing Lazarus Kaimbi. The former Osotspa striker linked up nicely with Chatree before his finish sailed wide of the target. The Singha Brewery's favourite son, Leesaw, also had a decent opportunity but his low shot was thwarted by Sinthaweechai at the near post.

The Sharks improved after the break and Narit was finally tested as he got down low to save Adul's drive and then he spectacularly tipped over Arthit's free kick. That was to be the Chonburi's number 7's last involvement in the game as he limped off to be replaced by Therdsak. Quero was also hooked minutes later with Anderson dos Santos replacing the winger. It seemed that Chonburi's coaching staff were content to sit on a point.

Chakrit then entered his contender for miss of the season as he failed to hit the target from inside the six yard box. Anucha's cut back from the by-line found an unmarked Chakrit at the back post. All he had to do was stroke it into the empty net but somehow the ball bobbled of his foot sideways into the grateful arms of Narit.

After that, both sides sat back to protect what they had. A draw was a fair result and the pair would have been happy with their defensive performances.

Songkhla United 1-0 Bangkok Glass

Manop Sornkaew scored the only goal of the game as Songkhla United beat Bangkok Glass 1-0.

The first quarter of an hour was rather tentative until Kone Seydou had the ball in the back of the net. The goal was correctly disallowed as the defender had strayed offside following a flick on from a free kick.

The home side began to take control with Jules Baga forcing the bulky Narit to sprawl across the goal to block his header.

In the 22nd minute, the BG back 4 were caught napping as Wanit was allowed to run into acres of space down the left flank, but his left footed shot flew over the bar.

The home side were on top and Manop couldn't keep his lob from 25 yards on target after Narit had rushed out of his box miscuing his clearance straight to the Songkhla number 21.

As the interval approached. the game lost it's momentum with several ugly fouls disrupting the play.

Songkhla took the lead on 54 minutes when Manop held his composure to knock home after the ball had rebounded off the bar to him. It was tough on Narit who'd initially made a great save tipping the ball onto the crossbar.

Bangkok Glass had been toothless for the majority of the game and they freshened things up on 66 minutes bringing on Leandro dos Santos and Saruta for Ekkaphan and Honda.

With 5 minutes left, Glass had their best chance of the game when Saruta found space between two defenders, but he headed wide from six yards out.

There was to be no further scoring as Songkhla held out for a deserved 1-0 victory. The home side can be happy with their first outing and if they play like this every week then they should finish in mid-table.

Bangkok Glass on the other hand were a big disappointment. Their physical approach to bully Songkhla meant they conceded too many free kicks and their attacking threat in the final third lacked imagination. They do however, have Goran Jerkovic to enter the frame eventually. He won't be able to play next week as BG face his parent club Buriram United.

Man of the Match: Kone Seydou - The rock of Songkhla's back 4

Buriram United 1-0 Bangkok Glass (Agg 4-2)

Buriram United reserved their place in the Toyota League Cup final for the third successive season. The cup holder's 1-0 victory on the night saw them beat Bangkok Glass 4-2 on aggregate and they'll now face Division 1 side Ratchaburi in the final next month.

Before this match commenced, Bangkok Glass knew they needed to find two goals from somewhere to have any chance of overturning their first leg 3-2 defeat.

The away side forced an early chance when a long throw released Ajayi and Sarun was inches away from connecting with Ajayi's cross come shot across the goal.

The push from Bangkok Glass never really materialized with the hosts having chances as Jakkraphan fired over from inside the box and Goran Jerkovic crashed a header onto the bar as it remained goalless at the interval.

The goalscorer

Buriram United were looking comfortable as the second half progressed and their passage to the final was assured on 76 minutes when Adisak capitalized on an incredibly sloppy piece of defending by Noppol. The ball bobbled off the lackadaisical Glass defender straight to Adisak who slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

The Glass Rabbit's misery was complete five minutes from time when Valery Hiek was sent for an early shower after a high boot to Ekwalla's head earned him his second yellow card. There were little complaints as the big man from Cameroon slowly trudged off the park.

Attendance: 19,397

Anyway, the pair will meet again next Wednesday in the FA Cup semi final at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. For Buriram, they'll also be visiting the same stadium on Sunday to take on relegated BBCU.

Bangkok Glass 1-1 BEC Tero

Bangkok Glass and BEC Tero continue their battle for fourth place after the pair drew 1-1 at the Leo Stadium.

An early corner given to the hosts was unconvincingly punched out by Pisan straight to Leesaw who was on hand to smash home from the edge of the box.

Cleiton Silva's free kick was tipped over by Kritsana and Koomson fired wide after slack play at the back as BEC Tero began to dominate possession.

BG were mainly reliant on pacy counter attacks with Anuwin's shot being smartly saved by Pisan on the half hour mark.

Yusake Kato then came close twice to equalizing. His first attempt was headed onto the roof of the net, and then he fired straight at Kritsana after an Arzu free kick had been rebounded into his path.

As half time approached, Tero deservedly levelled when a deep cross from the left was cut back by Kato to Koomson who controlled before firing the ball into the roof of the net.

After the break, the fluency was with the away side with Arzu, Koomson, Kato and Rangsan all going close with Tero goalkeeper Pisan being a virtual spectator in the second period.

Despite the dominance of BEC, it was BG who almost snatched it late on as Leesaw struck the post after he'd turned neatly on the edge of the box.

The Fire Dragons stay four points above Bangkok Glass after today's draw, and from what I witnessed Tero will certainly finish higher than Glass in the league. The midfield trio of Arzu, Rangsan and Kato are as good as any in the league. With the skillful Silva and Koomson playing off the midfield, you wonder how BEC aren't challenging for the title. My main criticism of Tero is that they play too many horizontal passes when they have possession. For anybody who watches the EPL, they remind me a lot of Swansea.
As for Glass, that's their third draw of the week despite being mainly outplayed by their opponents once again. Their squad certainly has enough depth and if they can click between now and the end of the season, then could win one of the cups.

Thai Port 0-0 Bangkok Glass

It finished all square at the PAT Stadium as Thai Port and Bangkok Glass drew 0-0.

The main talking point came in the dying minutes as the goal line technology debate reared it's ugly head yet again with Thai Port having what appeared a decent shout for a goal overruled.

Thai Port started off on the offensive with Kiatjaroen's long shot forcing Kritsana into an early save. The resultant corner was the first of many for the hosts which were poorly delivered throughout by the combination of Sivakorn and Kritsada.

BG's best chance of the game came on 25 minutes when Giorgi sprang the offside trap. With a clear angled run in on goal, the Georgian fluffed his chance as his weak shot was blocked by Wanlop's legs.

The second period was mainly dominated by Thai Port although Glass regularly threatened on the counter.

On 70 minutes the Watson and Anusak combination almost broke the deadlock twice within a minute. The first Anusak attempt was turned away by the BG keeper, and from the next play the Muangthong loanee almost nipped in at the near post to score.

As mentioned earlier the controversial moment happened with minutes left on the clock when a Pongpipat free kick from the right was flicked goal bound. Hiek cleared it off the line and whether or not it crossed the line is highly debatable.  Having watched it several times now on the replay, I still can't fathom if a goal should have been awarded. If the referee and linesman can't clearly see it, then they can't give it.

In injury time, Pongpipat hit a stinging drive that was well saved by Kritsana but it wasn't to be for the home side.

Overall Thai Port put in a reasonable performance against a Bangkok Glass side that must have had one eye on Tuesday's league cup tie with Chonburi.

Army United 0-0 Bangkok Glass

Army United and Bangkok Glass drew a blank as they cancelled each other out for the second time in five days.

The Home of Gentlemen almost saw a goal in the opening minutes when Bjorn Lindemann warmed the palms of Kritsana in the BG goal.

The visitors prominent threats came through Leesaw midway through each half with a header that flew inches over the bar and a shot that he blasted over with his left peg after good set up play by Samuel Ajayi.

There were few talking points during the game as Bangkok Glass stay in fifth courtesy of superior goal difference over Army United in sixth.

Bangkok Glass 4-0 Thai Port

View from up top

Bangkok Glass blitzed Thai Port with four goals in the second half to maintain their place in TPL championship race.

The Glass Rabbits came out the traps fairly swiftly with Flavian Michelini forcing Wanlop into an early save and good link-up play between Ajayi and Chatree made the same keeper produce an excellent save with his left foot.

Wanlop saves

Thai Port improved as the half went on and had a couple of chances but their final ball from breakaways into the box lacked that bit of quality.

As the second half progressed, it appeared that Thai Port had set their stall out to to defend their 0-0 and nick a point. Their plan seemed to be going well but as soon as BG introduced Saruta and Anawin the home side's attacking game moved up a level.

Pinball

On 65 minutes a corner from the left pinballed around the Thai Port 6 yard box before Samual Ajayi eventually knocked it in for the opener.

Within two minutes, the Klong Toei side were reduced to 10 men when Termchai was ordered off after he needlessly kicked a BG player on the back of the legs.

With 15 minutes left on the clock, it was game over as second half substitute, Anawin, was allowed VIP access to stroll through the Thai Port defence to knock the ball into the empty net.

After that, it was just a case of how many Glass would score and Chatree and Peerapong compounded Port's misery in the dying minutes netting tap-ins.

The win moved BG up to second but I'm still not convinced they have enough about them to win the TPL. Thai Port were adequate in the first half but if they are going to sit back like they did in the second half, then they need to learn how to defend. The defending for a couple of the goals was shocking!!

Bangkok Glass and Chonburi Ends in Stalemate

TPL championship hopefuls, Bangkok Glass and Chonburi, played out a 0-0 draw at the Leo Stadium.
The first chance of the game came on 9 minutes when Sintaweechai had to tip a Samuel Ajayi shot around the post. From the resultant corner, Hiek's downward header bounced narrowly over the bar.
Chonburi's best chance of the half came on 14 minutes when the unmarked Kroekrit headed wide when he really should have it the target. Had Pipob been on the end of the cross, surely he would have opened the scoring.
The home team seemed happy to allow Chonburi possession and hit on the break using Ajayi and Saruta's pace.
On the half hour, Ajayi's shot smacked the base of the post after he'd played a one-two with Chatree. Minutes later the outside of the same post was struck by a cross from Sutee.
Chonburi had been quiet, but they reminded BG that they were still in the game when Ludo's powerful shot was knocked wide by Kritsakorn.
In first half injury time, Sintaweechai was called into action again to make a good save from Saruta's shot across goal. That was the last action of the half as the score was goalless at the break.
The second 45 minutes speaking politely was drab. The closest the game got to a goal was a Suree header from a Chonburi corner that sailed 3 feet over the bar.
Overall,  a point each is a reasonable return for both sides. They pair of them remain undefeated and their defences have yet to breached.

Thai Port 0-2 Bangkok Glass (AET)

Bangkok Glass earned a chance to avenge their 6-2 thumping at Muangthong United a few weeks ago as they defeated Thai Port 2-0 after extra time in the third round of the Thai FA Cup.

The home side started with a 4-4-2 rather than their usual defensive 4-5-1 and early on they forced chances. Ekkapoom burst through within minutes of the opening whistle, but hit a week finish, and a Todsapol header from a corner went inches over the bar midway through the half.

Thai Port played some attacking football initially but they lost momentum after 3 quick successive stoppages in play to treat the injured Worawut.

BG would have been disappointed with their first half showing although the upped their game after the break. They dominated territory even if they never really tested Thai Port's 3rd choice keeper Narong.

As the game was heading for extra time, the contest notably livened up. Jacob Aikhionbare could have scored a late winner when he was clear through but he preferred to fall in the box rather than shoot. The ball incidentally fell nicely for Sarawut yet he shot wide. In injury time, Sarayoot twice made Narong pull off saves.

The game went into extra time and within a couple of minutes BG broke the deadlock. A long corner from the right was headed back across the goal and Glass' captain, Amnaj, nodded in the knock back.

Thai Port never looked like getting back into the contest and the game was wrapped up near the end of the extra period when Sarayoot netted a rebound after Peter Lang's shot had rebounded off the bar.

From Thai Port's point of view the opening half hour was encouraging, but they seemed to lack ideas once their creative period had ended. The absence of options from the bench also didn't help matters.

As for Bangkok Glass, they'll be happy with the result despite playing a bit negative in the opening period. Overall they probably deserved to advance to the next round, but they'll know they have to play better if they want to beat Muangthong next week.

Attendance: I thought I heard 5,400 but I could be wrong

Bangkok Glass 1-3 TOT

TOT earned are rare double as they beat Bangkok Glass 3-1 on a dull, drizzly night in Pathumthani.

The BG faithful were frustrated with another disappointing result, but I think a lot of credit should be given to TOT for a gutsy performance. If they play like this for the remainder of the season, they should finish outwith the bottom 3.

The first half started in a lively fashion. Glass almost took the lead in the first few minutes when a cross come shot from Saruta struck the edge of the crossbar.

The open play continued and it was TOT who took the lead on 14 minutes with a shot from outside the box from Kraisorn.

After the goal, TOT sat back and waited for Bangkok Glass to attack them. The tactic worked well as TOT looked lively on the counter attack.

On the stroke of half time, the away side doubled their lead. The ball seemed to ping around in the 6 yard box a few times before it ended up in the net. It was hard to see from the other end of the stadium who scored it, but the goal was credited to Noppol by the stadium announcer.

The Glass Rabbits thought they were back in the game when Sarayoot equalized on the hour. He swept in a low curling shot into the net after the ball had been crossed to him from the right after a pacy run by Saruta.

The majority of the 4,339 crowd thought that would be the turning point but it wasn't to be. TOT defended stoutly and the wrapped the game up in injury time when a Suriya shot sneaked into the bottom right hand corner.

TOT are still in the relegation zone, but are now only one point behind Siam Navy in 15th place. On this performance, they should be able to move safe from relegation danger.

Bangkok Glass unveiled their new 14m Baht scoreboard tonight. It is impressive, but sadly it won't produce improved performances on their artificial pitch.

Attendance: 4,339

Edit: With the benefit of watching TV replays, the second TOT goal has to go down as an own goal for Thritti.  There wasn't much he could do as an attempted clearance from Amnaj cannoned of him into the net.

TOT fans infront of the new scoreboard

Expats at Thai Football

The other day when I was at the Army Stadium watching Army United against Thai Port, it was rather noticeable that there were a large number of expats supporting Thai Port. At an estimate, I'd say there were about 100 foreigners there to cheer on the side from Klong Toei.

So it got me thinking, why have these foreigners opted for Thai Port rather than the other two downtown based TPL clubs BEC Tero Sasana and Army United? When you study the TPL table there isn't much difference between the 3 clubs position wise. All the stadiums are centrally located with BEC Tero and Thai Port being easily reached by public transport.

In fairness to Army United, it's only this season that their fan base has increased to the Thai public so it's perhaps too early for them to be attracting masses of newcomers. Nevertheless, there are still a handful of foreigners dawning the bright green shirts of Army United this season. 

BEC Tero on the other hand, have been established as one of the strongest teams in Thailand for several years now and it's only the last couple of seasons that they've slid down the table. There are a few farangs following them but not as many as you would expect for a centrally based Bangkok side. For me the most off putting thing about BEC is their stadium. Despite it being conveniently positioned next to the shopping malls of Siam, it's never really been a stadium I've enjoyed visiting. The view from inside is terrible wherever you sit and there is very little legroom for the average Westerner to stretch their legs whilst seated.

In my opinion, there are two things that make Thai Port more appealing than the other two teams. The first is the PAT Stadium. The stadium is one of the few in Thailand that doesn't have a running track around the pitch, and that makes viewing far more pleasurable. Also as the fans are close to the pitch, it creates a better atmosphere around the stadium. The second is the friendliness of the Klong Toei Army. They have a reputation with other Thai fans as being a bit rough and ready, but to the foreigner they are always welcoming and proud that these people have chosen to follow their team. At the Army Stadium, many of their supporters are still new to Thai football and are still learning the game themselves. The BEC Tero fans appear more middle-class and hence more reserved.

Further afield from downtown Bangkok, arguably the team with the most foreign supporters is Muangthong United. Even though they play in Nontaburi, much of their support is drawn from Bangkok. The attraction is fairly evident. They are the 2 time reigning champions, the team play entertaining football and the atmosphere inside the Yamaha Stadium is one of the best in Thailand. Throw into the mix that they've just signed Robbie Fowler, then you can see why they are so appealing to Thai and Western football fans.

Muangthong's ex-tenants, TOT, have recently moved back to their snug stadium in Chaeng Wattana Road. The telephone company barely have any Thai fans so the chances of them attracting fans from another country is minimal.

In Pathumthani to the north of Bangkok, most farangs have aligned themselves with Bangkok Glass rather than Police United. The big spending Glass Rabbits have bought several of the top players in Thailand in the last couple of years even though a major trophy continues to allude them. The big signings along with the fact that their home stadium is called the Leo Stadium has attracted many newcomers to watch their football on the Rangsit- Nakhon Nayok Road rather than Thammasart University where Police United play. In regards to Police United, their association with the uniformed boys in brown must surely put off some potential supporters from following them.

Elsewhere in the TPL, Buriram PEA, Chonburi and Pattaya United all have several expats following them too. If Pattaya United ever finish building their stadium in Pattaya, the foreign support that they could attract would be phenomenal. It's a pity for them that they are currently homeless and playing their home games 60km away in Chonburi.

The first division boasts a plethora of teams based in Bangkok and its environs. They include BBCU, Bangkok United, Bangkok FC, Air Force United, RBAC, Thai Honda, JW Rangsit, Raj Pracha and Samut Prakarn Customs. However, unlike the TPL, the Thai 1st division attracts very few foreign fans. At many of these games, you'll struggle to spot another white face in the crowd. That may change at BBCU next season if they can win promotion to the TPL and Bangkok United should become more appealing now that they've moved back to the Thai-Japanese Stadium in Din Daeng.

The second division is similar to the first as it hasn't yet captivated the attention of non-Thais. On my one visit to watch Raj Vithi, it was surprising to see that many of the fans in attendance were Africans. Raj Vithi do have several African players so I'd guess that most of them were there as friends of the players rather than as supporters of Raj Vithi.

It has been a remarkable transition in the last couple of years in Thai football. Before 2008 there were only a scattering of Thai fans watching Thai football let alone foreigners. Wind the clock forward 3 years and there was a crowd of 35,000 to watch a 1st division game between Songkla and Buriram FC earlier this month. The increase in support has been good for the Thai game and thankfully the locals see the foreign fans are a welcome addition to the Thai stadiums.

Mid Season Transfers - Summary

Listed below are the ins and outs from the mid season transfer window for TPL sides based in the Bangkok region.
I'd like to thank Wolfman from Thai League Football for providing me with this information. You can follow the Thai League Football twitter feed on the right hand side of this blog.

Army Utd

IN:
Kraisorn Sreeyan (TTM)
Pakasit Saensuk (MTU - loan)
Anusorn Sreechaluang (Police)
Piyawat Giartjaroen (Lopburi)
Sakgongpop Sukprasert (Yasothon)
Jaco Perreira (Brazil league)
Klesli Ribeiro (Brazil league)

OUT:
Chaiwat Nakeeyam (TOT - loan)
Dragunchat Tongbai (Chiang Mai - loan)
Kosin Hembut (Chiang Mai - loan)
Ratagit Chanana (Chiang Mai - loan)
Wanmai Settanan (Osotspa - returned from loan)
Amnat Domhom (PTT - loan)
Eksapa Tanyagam (PTT - loan)
Jarupong Sangpong (Chiang Mai - loan)
Tanongsak Muangsiri (Luk Isan Thai Air - loan)
Vinicius De Carvalho (cancelled contract)
Kochi Jun (only eligible for cup matches)

Bangkok Glass

IN:
Rafael Souza Da Silva (Buriram PEA)
Flavien Michelin (Singapore League)
Henrique Dos Santos (Brazil League)

OUT:
Jongrak Pakdee (Phuket - loan)
Panuwat Failai (Osotspa)
Michael Byrne (Chai Nat)
Paul Ekkolo (Pattaya)
Syvain Indangar (Osotspa)

BEC Tero

IN:
Nareut Tamarotsopon (Police)
Soran Rajovic (Leostar)
Gilbert Kumson (promoted from youth side)

OUT:
Samuel B. Cunningham (Supanburi)
Mohammed Gado (PTT)
Altamir Martins (released)
Ekele Udojoh (CS maritimo)

Muangthong United

IN:
Ponlawat Wangtahat (Chantaburi)
Nontapan Jiersapawong (Police)
Robbie Fowler (Perth Glory)
Romane Rose (Queen's Park Rangers youth)

OUT:
Kapfa Bunmatun (Chai Nat)
Athit Daosawang (Supanburi - loan)
Santi Chaipeuak (Supanburi - loan)
Amorn Tamanan (Supanburi - loan)
Pakasit Saensuk (Army - loan)
Bubaka Issofur (Phuket - loan)
Miroslav Toth (Bangkok Utd)
Toni Kallio (released)

Police United

IN:
Tanat Wongsupalak (TTM)
Wacharapong Kongchuay (PTT)
Amara Jerry (Navy) - earlier reports said this was a return from loan
Maxime Ongmagong (Bangkok Utd)

OUT:
Nontapan Jiersapawong (MTU)
Natareut Tamarotsopon (BEC Tero)
Chang Chung Won (Songkla)

Thai Port

IN:
Santipap Siri (TOT)
Kim Dong Chan (PTT)
Kim Ba Wee (Korean League)

OUT:
Sompong Soleb (Buriram FC)
Ekachai Sumree (Buriram FC)
Jirawat Makarom (Buriram FC)
Alef Baoji (Buriram FC)
Tada Keelalai (Air Force - loan)
Teerawut Sanpan (Ang Thong - loan)
Olar Limsampansanti (Ang Thong - loan)
Pana Ganjanasomsak (Ang Thong - loan)
Yoo Myeong Han (released)
Valci Junior (released)
Jay Harris (BBCU)

TOT

IN:
Chaiwat Nakeeyam (Army)
Tanagorn Pichitchaipojanarot (Ayuthaya)
Ittipon Gaewkieaw (Bangkok Christian)
Attawut Janchang (Rachapreuk College)
Gongapon Rungreuangrojana (Sri Racha)
Diego Walsh (Charleston Battery)
Sheik Habib Fofana (Lopburi)
Kwane Attram (Ghanain League)

OUT:
Santipap Siri (Port)
Oumar Konde (released)
Richard Langley (released

Thai Port 1-1 Bangkok Glass - Match Abandoned

The FA Cup match between Thai Port and Bangkok Glass was abandoned on roughly 35 minutes tonight after a deluge of rain flooded the PAT Stadium pitch.

Before kick off, the dark clouds were looming ominously over the Bangkok skyline. Any thoughts of them passing by the stadium were quickly forgotten when the heavens opened 5 minutes into the game. Oddly, it wasn't the usual vertical downpour commonly seen in Thailand. It was more of a UK style of diagonal, windy rain that swept through the PAT.

After about 10 or 15 minutes of this cup tie, the conditions were becoming farcical but it didn't prevent Thai Port taking the lead on 20 minutes. Their goal was scored by a Worwut shot from outside the area. Five minutes later, BG leveled with a goal from Japanese striker, Saruta. By this time the match officials should really have stopped the game but they let it continue for another 10 minutes before calling a halt to the play.

The rain did eventually cease. However, when the match officials examined the pitch 30 minutes later they decided to abandon the game. In my opinion, it was the correct decision as the pitch was saturated. While the halt in play was called, it was nice to hear the BG and Thai Port fans singing each others team names. It seems that all the animosity from the final game of last season between the two sets of fans is a distant memory.

(thailandsusu.com)