The Story So Far (Part 4) - Relegation Candidates

As the TPL table stands just now, it appears that any five from the seven below will be taking the drop to the first division.

Sisaket

Current Position: 14th

The Dangerous Kouprey can be reasonably pleased with their return to the TPL after a lengthy courtroom battle left them idle for the majority of 2013. There aren’t many household names in the squad, but that’s possibly why it’s working so far. Their key to survival is beating the teams currently below them in the table. At this moment, they are just above danger zone courtesy of goal difference. The important factor for Sisaket is to remain in the TPL and build from there. 

Bangkok United

Current Position: 15th

The club parted ways with the wily Sasom Pobprasert during the off-season and they probably regret doing that now. His replacement Rui Bento didn’t even make it to Songkran festival and former Police coach Thawatchai has been given the task of saving the Angels. I expect he'll be one of the busiest mangers in the upcoming transfer window as he brings in fresh faces to replace some of the well paid journeymen currently at the club. In the meantime, losing 7-0 at Tero a fortnight ago hardly inspires confidence and the underachieving squad are in real danger of dropping down a division.

Songkhla United

Current Position: 16th

The big dream of being the Buriram of the south has never emerged and the club are on route to return to the first division were the now extinct Songkhla FC once lingered. The Fighting Bulls are averaging less than one goal per game and the have the equal worst defensive record in the league. That’s not a good combination. Home form could be their savior.

Police

Current Position: 17th

It’s been a Jekyll and Hyde start to the season for Police. An impressive 5-1 win over Air Force and a 1-1 draw at Muangthong wasn’t capitalized on with the club losing five out of their next six games. That run cost Carlos Roberto his job and he’s been surprisingly replaced by Mika Lonnstrom. The Finn was recruited from a Roi Et United side that were second from bottom in Division 1. If Police can get their strikers firing, then they should be able to avoid the drop.

PTT Rayong

Current Position: 18th

The Oil Millionaires got off to a decent start and a comfortable mid-table finish appeared on the cards. However, the turning point in their season came when they blew a 2-0 lead at home to Chonburi, eventually drawing 2-2. Since then, their solid defensive unit have started shipping goals and their only win came nine games ago against Samut Songkhram. Fortunately, for the club, they have the money and resources to revamp their squad for the second leg.

Samut Songkhram

Current Position: 19th

The usually dysfunctional club seemed set for a stable season after a new sponsorship deal allowed them to make early purchases in the transfer market. Unfortunately hardly any of them have lived up to their billing. The upgrade of their home stadium has seen them relocate to the stadiums of Ratchaburi and Army. In their absence from home, they’ve lost all four contests. The Mackerels only win was at Air Force and they need to return to home base as soon as possible if they have any chance of survival. 

Air Force

Current Position: 20th

It’s been a dismal return to the top flight for Air Force. With no wins in 11 attempts, it appears incredibly likely that they will be making an instant return to the second tier. Instead of building on their promotion winning team, they dismantled it and brought in several new faces. Lee Tuck was acquired from Bangkok FC and with Kouassi Hermann, they were expected to bang in the goals. Neither of the duo have managed to find their first division goal scoring form and as a result Air Force are rooted to the floor of the TPL. They are already 7 points from safety and are in danger of being cut adrift at the bottom. 

Army Utd 2-2 Police Utd

The heavens opened yet again at the Royal Thai Stadium as it finished 2-2.

Aron da Silva twisted and turned in the box before firing home the opening goal in the 20th minute.

It had been relatively dry until then but then it started to piss down and it was becoming increasingly likely that the game would be halted.

It wasn't, and Police drew level ten minutes before the interval when Murcy got a faint touch to knock an inswinging corner delivery over the line.

Lindemann's shot from 16 yards restored the lead in the 59th minute but the away side levelled once more when Paitoon took advantage of a goalkeeping error to stab the ball over the line.

Overall I thought Police United were worthy for a point. The game was entertaining enough but for me it wasn't one for the purists due to the downpour.

TOT 1-1 Police Utd

TOT came from behind to claim a point in a 1-1 draw against Police United at the TOT Stadium.

The home side shaded the first half with Rodoljub Paunovic coming close on three occasions. His first attempt was scooped over the bar on three minutes while his second was a low shot saved by Pattara. The Serb's third effort of the half curled inches wide after he'd been set up by Bas Savage.

1-0 Police

Police never really had any clear cut chances in the opening period, but it was them who took the lead in the 52nd minute when Lee Han Guk sent a rasping shot past Manthewa.

On the hour, Noppol's curling free kick from the left clipped the crossbar as TOT pressed for an equaliser.

With 15 minutes left, Police played their defensive card by taking off Daniel Cortes, who'd looked their best attacking threat, to bring on Whoo Hyun as a defensive midfielder.

That tactical decision backfired three minutes later when Panomkorn drilled a low shot home to level for the hosts.

Pokkhao almost restored the lead for Police after his shot was tipped onto bar and over by Manthawa.

As the clock whittled down, TOT made a defensive change and both managers seemed content with a point. The draw meant the duo remain unbeaten and moved onto four points.

From what I saw, both sides have mid-table written all over them and I'd be surprised if either of them got sucked into a relegation battle.

Gangnam Style

Man of the Match: Noppol Pol-udom - He pulls the strings for TOT in the centre of the park. 

Police United 1-2 Chonburi

Second half goals from Nattapong and Adul helped Chonburi come from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Police United at the Army Stadium.

Chakrit Buathong was alert early doors to pounce on a defensive mix up between Diakite and Nattapong to give the Crimson Cops the lead on seven minutes.

With Therdsak and Pipob doing time on the bench, Chonburi really struggled to get any flow to their game going as Police comfortably saw out the first half 1-0 in front.

The introduction of the old stagers for the second half certainly livened things up, but the Sharks were grateful to Diakite as he cleared a goal bound shot at the back post on 55 minutes.

On the hour mark, Chonburi levelled when Nattapong neatly controlled a looping cross on his chest before blasting it into the roof of the net.

After the equalizer, Chonburi certainly had a bit more impudence about their play and looked the more likely winners, but they had a couple of scares while the clock was ticking down as a Prakorn free-kick and a Assaming shot flew inches wide of the target for Police.

Pipob's header did hit the top of the bar from a corner on the 87th minute, yet the late drama wasn't finished as the second half sub's short pass cut through the Police back line and Adul netted from an acute angle to win the three points for the Sharks.

At 1-0, Police seemed content to sit on their lead and were happy to call for the stretcher boys to waste time when they should have been trying to double their advantage. For anybody familiar with the TPL, there are no prises for guessing who the prime suspect was. The Insee are dropping close to the relegation zone, but with an abundance of home games to come in the second leg, they should be able to secure their predicted mid-table finish.

For Chonburi, even the most optimistic of the Blue Bloods would sympathize that the TPL is out of their reach this season. However, I'm sure most of them would concur that you always start with your strongest 11 no matter who your opponents are. Chonburi's rotation policy got out of jail tonight, but on other nights they might not be so fortunate.

Thai Port 0-1 Police United

Police United won their first game of the season as they kept Thai Port rooted to the foot of the TPL table.

The gloomy gray skies surrounding the PAT Stadium during the game reflected the mood of the home fans throughout and they vented their feelings at the final whistle after another meek performance saw Thai Port lose their fourth consecutive game of the season.

The first half was largely forgettable, but it improved after half-time as Police upped the tempo. Surachart could easily have broken the deadlock twice shortly after the break. His first attempt was blasted over the bar with only the keeper to beat, and his second effort was tipped onto the post by Wanlop.

Police had been the better side and they were rewarded on 72 minutes when Leandro slotted home a pass from the right to net Police United's first goal this season.

As the game was drawing to a close, there were three sending offs within the space of a few minutes. The first to go for an early bath was Thai Port's Kiatjaroen for two yellows and he was closely followed by his teammate, Ittipol, for a similar offence to reduce the homeside to 9 men. The referee obviously fancied doing some after match paperwork as he dismissed Police United's Jerry Amara with a straight red (I think) in the final moments.

In between all the dismissals, Steven Robb's slided effort was denied an equalizer by the Police keeper, Patarakorn, and Pokkhao of Police missed a sitter from yards out after Wanlop had produced a smart save.

As the match finished, Mario Cesar was desperately baying for a handball in the area from the final play of the game.

As mentioned earlier, the final whistle was greeted with cries of "ork bai" by the Klong Toei army towards the clubs owners/management. The latest rumour tonight is that Piyakul Kaewnamkang has resigned as Thai Port head coach and Adul Luekijna has stepped into the role.

TOT 1-1 Police United

TOT remain in the bottom 3 after they could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to mid-table Police United. Fortunately for the Laksi side, their fate still remains in their own hands with games against Samut Songkhram (H) and BEC Tero (A) to follow.

The goals today were both a tale of two goalkeeping errors. Thankfully the national goalkeeping coach, Stefan Brasas, wasn't present to witness them.

The first mistake came 10 minutes from time when a free-kick from Prakorn Prempak appeared to be creeping by the post, but as Wattanapong in the TOT goal went to collect it, he inadvertently dropped it into his own net. It was straight out of the Bruce Grobbelaar fumbles of the 80's!!

The TOT keeper's blushes were spared 2 minutes later when a long shot from Thai international squad member Thanasak was spilled by Pattarakorn for Kone Mohamed to tap in the equalizer.

The draw was a fair result but from what I saw today, TOT will need to play better if they wish to remain in the TPL next season.

 Attendance: 662

Thai Port 3-1 Police United

Thai Port won an evenly fought contest over Police United 3-1 at the PAT Stadium.

For the first 30 minutes this game looked like a pre-season friendly as the Saturday afternoon crowd slowly trickled into the stadium.

The breakthrough came on 36 minutes with an individual goal from Steven Robb. The Scot easily beat the Police right back and then struck a left foot shot past Sompong at his near post.

Robb was again involved for the second Port goal on 51 minutes as his pinpoint cross was met with a neat diving header from Sarawut.

The two goal advantage for the home side was shortly lived as Tanat pulled one back when his shot deflected off Mario past Wanlop into the roof of the net.

The Pathumthani side then pressed for an equalizer but they were undone 15 minutes from time when shoddy marking allowed Todsapol to head home a Worawut free kick.

Attendance: 1,635

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.

Thai Port 2-0 Police United (agg 2-0)

The reigning Toyota League Cup winners moved into the last 8 of the competition with a 2-0 home victory over Police United.

The first leg's 0-0 draw at the Thammasart Stadium last month was a non event as far as excitement was concerned. Tonight's game was a bit more lively and lady luck was certainly on the side of Thai Port, courtesy of a blunder from the Police goalkeeper, Sompong Yod-ard, and the generosity of the referee.

The opening exchanges were pretty lively, and in the 10th minute the home side's keeper had to be alert to tip a long range shot over the bar.

After the initial flurry of activity, it appeared that the game was going to be a tight contest, but that was about to change on the half hour mark.

An innocuous, out swinging cross from Ekkapoom was harmlessly sailing across the Police goal line, and the catch looked like a routine one for the Police Utd goalkeeper. However, as Sompong leaped to catch the ball at the far post, he somehow managed to spill it into the net for an own-goal. It was that bad a mistake, it deserves to be on a Xmas 2011 DVD howler's compilation.

Just before half-time, Thai Port were again fortunate when the referee awarded a penalty for a weak challenge in the box on Ekkapoom. Even the loyalist Port fans in the PAT Stadium were shaking their heads in disbelief. Nonetheless, their joy then turned to fear as the man who missed Sunday's penalty against Pattaya, Worawut, stepped up to take the spot kick. This time though, he made amends by sending Sompong the wrong way.

The second half never really got going until 15 minutes from time. Police Utd then began to exert some pressure, and the closest they got to scoring was from a long range shot from Maxime that clipped the bar.

It wasn't to be for the Pathumthani side as Thai Port whittled down the clock to hold on for a 2-0 win.

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

BK Magazine Mid-season Review

A half-season review of the 7 Bangkok based TPL clubs courtesy of BK Magazine.

 
Part One - TOT, Army, BEC Tero, Police Utd

Part Two - Muangthong, Thai Port, Bangkok Glass