The Story So Far (Part 2) - The Surprise Packages

Part 2 has a look at four of the sides doing slightly better than anticipated.

Singh Tarua

Current Position: 3rd

If you’d have offered any Singh Tarua fan 20 points after 10 matches in February, they’d have bitten your hand off. The goalscoring form of Leandro Luz in the first month of the season propelled Tarua to the top of the table. The Brazilian’s form tailed off in April but other players stepped up and hard graft has seen them grind out three gritty 1-0 wins recently. The big concern now is the long term injury loss of Leandro. The TPL leading goalscorer isn't expected to return until the latter weeks of the campaign. In this season of unpredictability, it’s difficult to envisage where Tarua will be positioned in the table by the time he returns. The back up strikers of Joo Sung Hwan and Thierry Fidjeu have yet to impress and a big onus will now be on the effective central defensive pairing of Lee Sang Ho and Jakkapong to keep it tight at the back.

TOT

Current Position: 4th

In the second half of last season, TOT were atrocious. They only managed to stay afloat because they had collected a decent haul points in the first half of the season. During their woeful run, they were without the duo of Lee Junki and Takahiro Kawamura for long periods. The fact that they are both back to full fitness is no coincidence on how well TOT are doing this term. They aren’t pretty to watch yet they should avoid any relegation scares this time around.  A top ten finish and a year away from danger would be seen as progress.

Ratchaburi

Current Position: 8th

The Dragons came flying out of the traps and they were being considered as serious title contenders after six matches. The fact that they had travelled to Suphanburi, Buriram, Chonburi and Muangthong and remained unbeaten astounded the Thai football public. The manager of the month award for March was given to new boy Ricardo Rodriguez but since then Ratchaburi have stuttered through an easier batch of fixtures dropping to 8th in the process. A top 6 finish is a realistic target for Ratchaburi

BEC Tero

Current Position: 2nd

The Minburi club are the only side yet to suffer defeat and they are probably the second favorites in the title race. Their chief goal hawk Cleiton Silva departed for Mexico in the New Year and it was highly anticipated that his goals would be a huge loss. However, Tero have been defensively sound so far and their goals have been shared around the squad. The news that Cleiton Silva may return for the second leg could be the final piece in the jigsaw to end Tero's 12 year wait for a top flight title. In my opinion, they need to add another couple of quality signings if they are to lift the TPL trophy in November.

Singh Tarua 1-0 Suphanburi

It was another gritty win for Singh Tarua as they beat Suphanburi 1-0. Joo Sung Hwan shrugged off the attentions of a Suphanburi defender to fire his side ahead in the 17th minute.

Suphanburi had a lot of possession but lacked penetration as Singh Tarua held out relatively easily until the break.

After the interval, Suphanburi should have had a penalty/free kick on the edge of the box when Jakkapong tripped the lumbering Lindemann. The German was clear through on goal but his lack of pace was evident as Jakkapong made up five yards on him.

Suphanburi knew it wasn't going to be their day when unmarked Bireme Diouf blasted his shot high and wide from the 18 yard line.

The game should have been put to bed seven minutes from time but Kroekrit wanted an extra touch on the ball which allowed a defender to come across and block his shot.

The win moved Singh Tarua back to the top of the league. Suphanburi's coach, Mano Polking, was very animated throughout the match and he appeared furious to have lost this game.

Bangkok United 2-2 Singh Tarua

The spoils were shared between Bangkok United and Singh Tarua. Both sides had a man sent off as the tie swung from end-to-end.

The home side almost took an early lead but the woodwork denied Kalifa Cisse's towering header.

After a shaky opening, Singh Tarua eased themselves into the game. The first goal of the evening came after a quarter of an hour when Leandro's looping free kick sailed over Pisan into the Bangkok United goal.

Tarua held their advantage until the stroke of half time. A handball from Watchara was penalised and Wichaya sent Chanin the wrong way to level.

Within four minutes of the restart, the Tarua keeper was picking the ball out of the back of his net again. Chanin fumbled a shot directly into the path of the prowling Paitoon and he gleefully tapped in the host's second.

Kroekrit hit the bar minutes later as Tarua pressed for a leveler. In the 57th minute, they were given a man advantage when Korawit received a second yellow card for an unnecessary rugby tackle.

In the 63rd minute, Singh Tarua were back on level terms when Leandro nodded in Lee Sang Ho's cross.

Tarua were looking the more likely to find a winner but that changed seven minutes from time when Warut was given a second yellow for pulling back an opponent.

Both sides seemed content to play out the remaining minutes for a point and on reflection it was a fair outcome. Leandro has scored all six of Singh Tarua's goals this season so there are no prizes for guessing who their key player is. Bangkok United's goal difference sees them just above the relegation zone. The have a strong squad and with the players they have available they should avoid relegation.

Singh Tarua 2-1 Chiang Rai United

Leandro Luz was yet again the match winner as his double strike helped Tarua come from behind to beat Chiang Rai United.

It was however Chiang Rai's very own Leandro who netted the first goal of the evening. He latched onto a delicious pass from Uilian Souza to slot past Chanin just after the half hour mark.

At this point Chiang Rai were controlling the midfield and Ryan Marques should have added to the lead moments later but the big man blasted a chance into the car park behind Zone B.

As many were heading for half time refreshments, Leandro levelled. His low left foot shot crept into the bottom corner of the net.

The winning goal came 14 minutes from time when Leandro nodded home a long cross from Saruta.

Chiang Rai were reduced to ten in injury time when Peerapong was shown a second yellow.

The win moved Singh Tarua up to third and it extended their unbeaten run at home to 15 matches. Chiang Rai United only have one point from three matches and now sit at the foot of the table. Next up for them is a winnable home encounter with the side just above them, Samut Songkhram.

Singh Tarua 1-1 PTT Rayong

The two newly promoted sides shared the spoils as they began life in the TPL.

PTT Rayong did have the ball in the net twice during the tense opening period, but there was no controversy as the officials had clearly called a halt to the play long before the ball hit the back of the net.

Spaniard Rufino Sanchez should have given the guests a 39th minute lead but he turned his close range shot wide following some indecisive goalkeeping.

Leandro had struggled to make any impact on the game but he came close to opening the scoring when his 59th minute looping header crashed onto the top of the bar.

In the 69th minute, Sanchez atoned for his first half miss when he turned in a cross from 8 yards.

The lead didn't last long and six minutes later the Khlong Toei side were level. Leandro and Saruta played a short corner together and Leandro's whipped-in cross ended up in the back of the net. The Brazilian was credited with the goal even though it appeared to have taken a touch on its route to goal.

That was it as both sides played down the clock apparently satisfied with a point.

Out of the two sides, PTT Rayong look more likely to stay in the TPL. They are well organized and they appear strong defensively. Tarua had nine players making their debuts so it was always going to be a tough start. None of the new boys really stood out for me and it appears that the creativity onus is going to be on Leandro's shoulders again.

Singh Tarua 2-1 Air Force

A nervy Singh Tarua booked their place for the 2014 TPL with a 2-1 victory over a lackluster Air Force.

At half time, the signs weren't looking good for the majority of the bumper crowd inside the PAT Stadium. Bangkok FC were 1-0 up at PTT Rayong while Tarua couldn't penetrate the Air Force rearguard after bossing the play in the opening 45 minutes.

However, an equalizer for PTT in Rayong eased the tension before Singh Tarua were awarded an extremely soft penalty on the hour. A composed Leandro stepped up to slot past Warut in the Air Force goal.

The hosts continued to control the contest but with four minutes left a scuffed effort was clipped in by Kittipoom to silence the Klong Toei Army.

In the 93rd minute, Singh Tarua regained the lead when substitute Sarawut outjumped his marker to nod home Ali Diarra's cross.

Seconds later, the celebrations commenced as the referee blew the final whistle. That was the cue for fireworks and flares to be set off and several fans invaded the pitch to share their joy with the players. It was even touching to see the Tarua and Air Force supporters mutually bond at the end as they applauded each other. How different that would have been had Singh Tarua not been promoted!!

The duo now have just over three months to prepare for life in the top flight. Both clubs have a decent nucleus of talent in their squad but several new recruits will need to be brought in for them to survive.

Man of the match: Warut Metmusik - Safe handling

Bangkok FC 2-1 Singh Tarua

A Tawin double gave the advantage to Bangkok FC in the battle for the third promotion place as the Iron Bulls beat Singh Tarua 2-1.

The away side had their noses infront coming into the game and it was they who set up with a cagey 4-5-1 formation. The opening half hour was fairly devoid of any action yet it was the hosts, playing with a more traditional 4-4-2 formation, who were more intent on making the breakthrew.

The opening goal came in the 32nd minute when Tawin neatly cut inside his marker and fired home from inside the box. 

Tarua made a double substitution at half time in a bid to bolster their attacking options. However, it was Bangkok FC who doubled the lead in the 57th minute when Lee Tuck slithered his way along the byline before teeing up Tawin to shoot home at the near post.

Within two minutes, Tarua were back in the game after Ali Diarra headed home a Leandro cross after the Brazilain's initial corner had returned to him.

The closest Tarua came to equalizing was a Sarawut header in the 66th minute which landed on the roof of the net.

Unfortunately for the 2,000 plus Tarua contingent, there was to be no fightback as Bangkok FC whittled down the clock fairly easily with a combination of stubborn defending and timewasting. The visitors ran out of ideas and resorted to hitting aimless high balls up to Leandro and Christen.

The 2-1 victory means that Bangkok FC move two points clear of Singh Tarua with three games to play. They only positive from today for Tarua is that they'd hold the better head-to-head record if both teams finished level on points. Bangkok have Rayong FC (A), Krabi (H) and PTT Rayong to finish. Singh Tarua now need to beat TTM (H), Nakhon Pathom (A) and Air Force (H) and hope that the Bang Mod side drop points in one of their three remaining fixtures.

Disappointingly, or somewhat predictably, the end of the game was marred with crowd trouble as both sets of fans were supposed to be paying respect to each other in the traditional Thai way.

Man of the Match - Tawin Butsombat: Match winning double

Singh Tarua 1-0 Nakhon Ratchasima

Singh Tarua increased their winning streak to nine at the PAT Stadium with a narrow win over Nakhon Ratchasima.

Noah Chivuta came close for Nakhon Ratchasima in the opening minutes but for the rest of the opening period it was the home side who were on top.

Ivan Petrovic set up Kroekrit in the 25th minute but the Chonburi loanee fired his low shot wide of the target. Two minutes later Leandro's flicked effort hit the base of the post as the hosts increased the pressure.

Tarua finally made the breakthrough on the half hour mark when Leandro finished off a move at the second attempt after Ali Diarra's galloping run on goal had been blocked by Prasit.

As the interval approached, Tarua had chances to double their lead. First, Patrick Reichet scuffed his shot across goal and then Leandro's shot flew just wide.

The second half was rather quieter as Tarua sat on their lead inviting the guests to attack. Korat lacked creativity in the centre of the park and had little cutting edge upfront. At times, the Swatcats were committing too many men forward which left them vulnerable to the Tarua counter attacks.

Kriakiat's long range shot in the 77th minute was palmed over the bar by Watcahara and that attempt was the closest it got for Nakhon Ratchasima.

I thought the 1-0 victory for Singh Tarua was slightly more comfortable the the scoreline suggests. Korat to me seemed to have their eye on the bigger prize of winning the second leg of their League Cup semi final against Ratcahburi on Wednesday.

The win keeps Tarua sandwiched in third place one point behind PTT Rayong and one ahead of Bangkok FC.

Singh Tarua 2-1 Krabi

Singh Tarua recorded their eighth successive home win beating Krabi 2-1. Leandro was yet again the leading man as his double helped Tarua come from behind to claim three precious points.

Ali Diarra struck the crossbar in the second minute with an angled drive from an acute angle. At the other end, John Mary let rip from 30 yards and his strong shot wasn't far away.

In the 12th minute, Reichelt should have done better when a defensive error allowed him in on goal, but his shot was palmed wide by Chookiat.

Krabi's opener came slightly against the run of play in the 37th minute. Former Thai Port striker Valci Junior played in John Mary and the big man turned and powerfully prodded his shot home from fifteen yards.

Nevertheless, the hosts reasserted their authority seconds later when the referee awarded a penalty after Chookiat brought down Leandro. There was a strong hint of handball by the Brazilian in the build up to the penalty, but he wasn't bothered as he sent the Krabi keeper the wrong way to net his 17th league goal of the season.

The Krabi goal was breached again moments into the second half when Leandro capitalized on a howler from Chookiat. A weakly hit shot from Reichelt appeared to be heading wide, but for some reason the stopper dived to save it and he inadvertently fumbled the ball straight into the path of Leandro.

The other keeper's handling had been impressive but Watchara almost allowed Krabi back into the game just after the hour when he went walkabout. Fortunately for him, Seekit got himself back on the line to head John Mary's chip over the bar.

In the 75th minute, Valci Junior's shot from just inside the box crept agonisingly wide as the Andaman Eagles pressed for an equalizer.

However, it was Singh Tarua who looked more likely to add a third in the closing stages with Chookiat making a decisive block from Kroekiat while two minutes later Narongkrit cut inside and fired inches over the bar.

The victory for the Klong Toei side was made even sweeter with promotion rivals Air Force and Bangkok FC losing. Tarua now have a three point buffer over Bangkok FC for that last promotion spot. The big showdown between the pair comes on October 5th when the Bulligans welcome the Port Lions.

Man of the Match: Leandro - Another match winning brace

Singh Tarua 2-1 Phuket

Singh Tarua fought back from a goal down to extended their winning home run to six games.

The Islanders started with a 4-3-3 formation and it was them who made the brighter start. After only a few minutes, they took the lead when Pavarit was punished for some slack defending. Possession was gifted to Phuket and Alex beat Watchara with an assured low shot.

After the goal, Tarua gradually forced their way into the game and were awarded a flurry of free kicks around the Phuket penalty box.

The usually reliable Leandro was rather wasteful with his set pieces but he did play a part in the equaliser. His cut back across the box eventually landed at Ivan who produced a calm finish to level on the half hour mark.

Adisak made the save of the match five minutes after the restart when he spectacularly tipped over Leandro's header following a precise cross from Patrick Reichelt.

Five minutes later, Phuket conceded the winner when the failed to clear they danger and Leandro's scuffed effort found the back of the net.

There is no doubting that Leandro is a talented player but after the goal his theatrics were embarrassing to watch. At one point he rolled himself back onto the pitch so that play could be held up for him to receive treatment.

Nonetheless, Phuket seemed to run out of ideas as Singh Tarua held out rather comfortably for the three points. It was a vital win for Tarua considering their other rivals all won this weekend. Apart from the first 10-15 minutes, Tarua were always in control. Phuket have some good players in their squad but they seemed to run out of steam. Teco has a big job on his hands at Phuket, but hopefully he will be given time to implement his ideas for next season.

Man of the Match: Seeket - Comfortable performance at right back

BBCU 3-2 Singh Tarua

BBCU completed the double over Singh Tarua with a 3-2 win at the Royal Thai Army Stadium. Similar to the first match between the pair back in April, it was Bouba Abbo who was the difference between the sides.

Singh Tarua had the better of the early exchanges, but it was the home side that took the lead in the 15th minute. Singh Tarua's right back, Samart, allowed Kittiphop to cut inside onto his right foot, and the pint sized winger then unleashed a rasping shot past Watchara at his near post.

The visitors levelled midway through the half when Ivan Petrovic played in Leandro and the Brazilians flick with the outside of his boot beat Pomchai.

Tarua were certainly in the ascendancy in the opening period, and after the goal Leandro had a free kick and a lobbed effort that went close while Pomchai had to get of his line quickly to block an advancing Ali Diarra.

The tide turned minutes after the interval when Boonyarit's cross from the right found the head of Bouba Abbo to make it 2-1 to the hosts.

After the goal, the Big Bang enjoyed their best period of the game with Watchara doing just enough to smother Kim Woo Chul's shot while Pichit squandered a good opportunity as his close range downward header bounced up and over the bar.

The decisive goal came 20 minutes from time after slack defending from Tarua allowed Abbo to be slipped in down the right hand side of the box.  The former Buriram man produced a neat piece of trickery before slotting past Watchara.

Within three minutes, Leandro gave Singh Tarua hope when he fired a free kick home to reduce the deficit

However, BBCU were to hold out as they whittled the clock down with some stubborn defending and the inevitable calls for treatment of supposedly injured players.

Singh Tarua didn't play too badly and they just need to write this loss off and move on. Air Force's handsome victory over Bangkok FC leaves them still in the promotion places despite the loss. BBCU are too far off the promotion picture and are just playing for pride. Their striker Abbo has always impressed me and I just wonder why he's playing for such an average side.

Man of the Match: Bouba Abbo - The thorn in Tarua's side

Singh Tarua 4-1 Sriracha

Singh Tarua maintained their promotion drive to the TPL with a 4-1 victory over Sriracha.

The first half was fairly subdued until Umpai was harshly penalised when a cross from Kroekrit appeared to strike his chest. The referee pointed to the spot and Leandro sent Hassachai the wrong way to open the scoring.

An inswinging free kick from Kiatjaroen found its way into the back of the net in the 58th minute. The fact that both Kiatjaroen and Todsapol ran away to celebrate suggests that it was one for the dubious goals panel. The official TPL site credited the goal Kiatjaroen.

A section of the Khlong Toei Army thought that was game over, but Tanet gave the Blue Marlins hope two minutes later when his low free kick crashed through the Tarua wall and past the the weak hand from Watchara in the hosts goal.

Sriracha rarely threatened to level as two late goals sealed the win for Singh Tarua.

Ali Diarra finished of a Kroekrit cross from the left and Narongrit completed the scoring after Leandro had set him up.

A bemused Diego Pishinin was given a second yellow card in injury time as Sriracha finished the match with ten men. 

Singh Tarua weren't quite in full flow, but they'll have gratefully excepted the 4-1 scoreline. They'll have also been pleased to have closed the gap on PTT Rayong and Air Force after both were held to draws. They may be slightly perturbed though that Bangkok FC scored a late winner to win 2-1 for the second successive week.

The 4-1 loss for Sriracha dropped them into the bottom 4, and on this performance, it's hard to see them getting out of their current predicament.

Singh Tarua 1-0 Rayong United

Mathias Christen struck in first half stoppage time to earn Singh Tarua a scrappy win over Rayong United.

Singh Tarua started with what appeared to be a 4-2-4 formation, but they struggled to get any flow to their play as the first 30 minutes passed by without any incident of note. Leandro possibly had the best chance to score in the opening third, but he miscued a free header wide from six yards.

The game finally burst into life in the 33rd minute when a 30 yard dipping shot from Nithirot hit the crossbar. Singh Tarua then raced up to the opposite end of the park and Kroekrit beat the advancing keeper in a race to the ball, but with the empty net beckoning, the angle was too tight for him as he fired his shot across the goal line.

The decisive strike came in the first minute of first half injury time as Kroekrit played the ball into the box for Christen to slot past the keeper at his near post.

However, the goal failed to ignite any impetus in the home side as Rayong Utd enjoyed a reasonable spell of possession at the beginning of the second half. They had no outlet in the final third so most of their attacks were breaking down as they got close to the Tarua penalty box.

The closest that Tarua came to doubling their lead was just after the hour when Patompat tipped a deflected Ali Diarra header around the post. The keeper injured himself making the save and the game was held up for five minutes as Rayong Utd decided whether or not to sub the keeper. In the end, they didn't. Patompat limped on and so did the game as misplaced passes and poor control continued to be the theme of the match.

Rayong FC made a couple of substitutions in a bid to salvage a point. Saknarin's driven shot forced Watchara to make a sprightly save, and the same player's 25 yard free kick sailed inches over the bar as the 90 minute mark approached.

Byeon Seung Won was given his marching orders deep into injury time for a foul on Leandro. It was embarrassing yet amusing to watch Leandro roll around theatrically and I'm surprised he never injured himself as he was performing his WWE style feigned injury.

It finished 1-0 to Singh Tarua who'll have been pleased with the result but not necessarily the lethargic performance. Rayong United in all honesty were a poor team and I can only see one outcome for them.

Man of the Match: Todsapol Lated

Singh Tarua 2-1 Ayutthaya

Mathias Christen's stoppage-time goal earned Singh Tarua three points as both sides finished the match with ten men.

It was a fairly quiet start to proceedings with the hosts coming closest to a goal when Kittipong almost pounced following a fumble by Teerapong in the Ayutthaya goal.

But it was the away side who took the lead as Singh Tarua were robbed of possession in the 43rd minute. A quick counter attack lead by Durosinmi saw the Nigerian skin Ali Diarra before he fired across the box for ex-Thai Port loanee Anusak to knock home.

Singh Tarua quickly got back on level terms when a corner was only partially cleared to Chalermkiat on the edge of the box. His low drive took a deflection off Daniel Melo to equalize.

Ayutthaya seemed content to sit back and soak up pressure early in the second half. A low shot from Christen hit the base of the post while Antonio Vega's strike into the side netting was the closest that the Ancient Warriors came to scoring.

With a quarter of an hour left, it was advantage Ayutthaya as Chalermkiat was ordered off after receiving to yellow cards. Vega and Durosinmi both came close as the guests became more adventurous.

However with four minutes left, Rachanon was given a yellow card for a foul, and then he wouldn't retreat ten yards to allow Ali Diarra to take a quick free kick. The fact that he was taunting Diarra left the referee no other choice than to produce a second yellow card.

Mathias Christen appeared to have drilled home the winner shortly afterwards, but neither the referee or the linesman signalled that the ball had crossed the line despite the celebrations of most inside the PAT Stadium.

A draw would have been a fair result, but it wasn't to be as Christen netted a rebound after Teerapong had parried a Leandro shot into his path.

The PAT Stadium was ecstatic at the end as this last gasp victory could prove pivotal in Singh Tarua's season.

Ayutthaya would have been happy with their performance and application yet will regard the loss as being slightly unlucky.

The best player on the park was Ali Diarra, but I feel I can't award him man of the match after he was skinned far too easily by Durosinmi for the goal. Apart from that, he was immense.

Air Force 1-0 Singh Tarua

Former Portugal U20 international Zezinando capitalized on a goalkeeping flap to move Air Force 4 points clear at the top of Division 1.

In all honesty, it had been a dismal spectacle, and it looked like heading for a stalemate until Zezinando fired home after Watchara failed to collect the ball following pressure from Kouassi Hermann.

In the first couple of minutes, Leandro forced Samuel Cunningham into a full stretched save, but that was as good as it got in a turgid first 45 minutes.

The match slightly improved after the interval with Leandro firing a shot inches wide in the 57th minute while Cunningham had to make a decisive block at the feet of Christen with 16 minutes left.

In the 79th minute, Air Force just needed one chance, and they took it when Zezinando drilled home a low drive from the edge of the box.

Singh Tarua had what appeared to be a good penalty shout minutes later, but the referee produced a yellow card to Sarawut instead of pointing to the spot.

The victory moved Air Force four points clear of PTT Rayong, but more importantly, twelve points clear of fourth placed Singh Tarua. Air Force and PTT Rayong should be able to kick on and reserve a TPL spot for 2014 with any one of Bangkok FC, Singh Tarua, Phuket and Nakhon Ratchasima joining them in the top flight. 

TTM 1-4 Singh Tarua

Singh Tarua eased to a comfortable victory as they beat a lackluster TTM side 4-1.

Straight from the off, it was the away side that opened up on the front foot.

The first goal came after 10 minutes when a Leandro volley on the turn found the top corner after the TTM defence failed to clear the danger.

It seemed like it was only a matter of time until Singh Tarua added a second, but they were hit with a sucker punch midway through the opening period when Yodsak spectacularly volleyed home on the backfoot to convert a Naret cross.

The goal stunned the guests, but within a minute they were back in front when Ali Diarra squared for the Ayutthaya target, Kim Ba We, to fire low with his left foot past Shota Wada.

TTM's Japanese keeper was hardly convincing throughout, yet he produced the save of the match shortly before half time to thwart Leandro Luz.

As the interval was imminent, Leandro set up Kittipong to give the guests a 3-1 advantage at the break.

With the game won, Singh Tarua didn't need to be too adventurous after the interval and their second half efforts were slightly flat compared to that of the first 45 minutes. Nevertheless, TTM looked like a side that were just going through the motions and they rarely threatened to get back into the game.

In the final minute, Ali Diarra lambasted a shot from the right into the top corner to seal a painless victory for Singh Tarua.

It's hard to judge Tarua's promotion credentials on this match as TTM were abysmal. As Lennox Lewis once stated, "you can only beat what's put in front of you," so if that's case, Singh Tarua certainly passed the test.

For TTM, they have 19 games left to save themselves from plummeting from the TPL to the regional leagues in successive seasons. On today's evidence though, it appears they'll be able to choose which one of the six regional leagues they wish to relocate too.

Man of the Match: Leandro Luz

4-1 Game Over

Singh Tarua 2-0 Bangkok FC

Singh Tarua got back to winning ways as they deservedly beat Bangkok FC 2-0 at the PAT Stadium.

The game was played at a lively tempo and at times it got rather intense with the bulky Meedech making himself the enemy of the Khlong Toei Army.

Apart from a Lee Tuck chance that the Englishman failed to connect to from inside the box, it was Singh Tarua who had the best opportunities in the first half.

A Todsapol header hit the woodwork following a corner while Mathias Christen twice had decent chances to open the scoring. His first was a shot that trickled wide after he'd turned well in the box, and his second was a header across the face of the goal. Leandro almost scored with a free kick in injury time, but Jean Marc Beyeme tipped his strike over the bar.

The initial stages of the second half were rather quiet by comparison, but the breakthrough goal came in the 67th minute.

Pavarit crossed from the left for Leandro to head home.The Brazilan's header hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced over the line and back out. However, the linesman was on the spot to correctly awarded the goal

On 78 minutes the game was wrapped up when Teerawut scored a rare goal. The Iron Bulls failed to properly clear the danger and Ali Diarra released Teerawut to win the game.

Lee Tuck and Anon forced Watchara into a couple of late saves as Tarua held out comfortably for the win.

The 2-0 victory moves Singh Tarua to within one point of Bangkok FC. The Bulligans will be disappointed that their attacking play wasn't at their finest today. Despite the clean sheet, the home side's back 4 and goalkeeper still look like there is always a mistake waiting to happen. Nonetheless, Singh Tarua showed that with a couple of suitable additions in the forthcoming transfer window, they'll be firmly in the promotion mix come the end of the season.

Man of the Match: Ali Diarra - A vital cog in the Tarua engine room

Kick off

Streamers on the Pitch

Singh Tarua 0-1 PTT Rayong

Amadou Outtara's goal 17 minutes from time earned PTT Rayong a vital three points as they beat Singh Tarua 1-0.

The hosts came close to taking the lead twice within the opening few minutes. First, a Leandro free kick hit the underside of the bar and then the ball spun fortunately off the unexpecting Ukrit for a corner. From the resultant corner kick, the keeper had to be alert to block a Christen shot from close in.

The next 35 minutes became a bit tetchy with with neither keeper really being worked.

As half time approached, Ukrit made a sublime one handed save from an Ali Diarra header to ensure the Oil Millionaires went in level at the break.

Ukrit didn't appear for the second half and was replaced by former Army keeper Watcharapong.

The early stages of the second half flowed from end to end with the midfield of both sides generally being bypassed.

Leandro had a low headed effort blocked on the line while Ri Myong Jun and Kiatjareon fired shots narrowly over the bar for the Khlong Toei side

PTT on the other hand, came close through substitute Kirati's glancing header and Adisak could have shown more composure as he blasted a shot across the face of the goal.

The all important winning goal came in the 73rd minute as PTT Rayong countered following a Tarua corner. It was four attackers on one defender as Kirati set up Amadou Outtara to roll the ball past Suphawat into the bottom corner.

Singh Tarua pressed for an equalizer and the closest they came was in the dying moments when a Leandro header bounced off the top of the bar and over.

It wasn't to be as PTT held on for three points. I wasn't overly impressed with them in the first half, but as they game went on they seemed to improve. They remind me a bit of Suphanburi last season in that they aren't overly exciting to watch, yet they get the job done.

For Singh Tarua, they have a massive week coming up with Korat away on Wednesday and Bangkok FC at home on Saturday. They have only collected eight points from their last eight games and they need to get their promotion train back on track.

Singh Tarua 2-1 Siam Navy

Singh Tarua got back to winning ways after they edged out Siam Navy 2-1.

It was the away side who started more brightly at the PAT Stadium despite Tarua having an early Christen goal ruled out for offside.

Chutsana opened the scoring in the 8th minute when he finished off from a tight angle while Tarua players were comically colliding with each other inside their penalty box.

The Sattahip side were passing the ball around neatly, but it was the hosts who struck the next goal. After a bout of head tennis in the middle of the park, Leandro turned and smashed a dipping thunderbolt into the top corner leaving Sitphong in the Navy goal standing motionless. Rather noticeably, the Brazilian then ran off and celebrated by himself while the rest off his team mates congratulated each other in the centre of the park.

Leandro almost gave the hosts the lead shortly afterwards when he curled a free kick from an acute angle off a combination of the bar and the post before it bounced out to safety.

After the break, the home side were in the ascendancy and it looked like the next goal would win the contest.

That all important winning goal came 20 minutes from time when a quality slide rule pass from Kiatjareon found Sarawut who then cut inside his opponent and drove home from inside of the box.

Tarua held out for the 2-1 win as the Navy salvage operation never materialized.

Singh Tarua sit top of the table with 15 points yet I think it's fair to say that many of the Khlong Toei Army are still undecided about their fate this season. The defence looks shaky at times and you just wonder where the goals will come from if Leandro's form dips.

Siam Navy certainly won't feature in the promotion race and a lower mid-table finish appears their destiny.

Man of the Match: Leandro Luz - The spectacular goal alone wins him my MOTM

Singh Tarua 1-2 BBCU

BBCU ended Singh Tarua's perfect start to the season winning 2-1 at the PAT Stadium.

The bumper Sunday evening crowd was full of expectation as they entered the PAT Stadium for the 6pm start under the recently upgraded floodlights.

The anticipated home win appeared to be on cards in the 10th minute when Leandro Luz converted a penalty after Moussa Sylla was penalised for a handball.

However, four minutes later, Bouba Abbo produced a sublime piece of skill to level for BBCU. The former Buriram man elegantly controlled a long free kick with his chest before his shot on the turn rifled into the top of the net.

For the rest of the half, it was the away side who looked more likely to add the next goal, but the sides went into the interval tied at 1-1.

Abbo had been a constant threat and he gave Tarua a reminder of his danger shortly after the interval when his shot from the edge of the box skimmed the top of the bar.

In the 56th minute a BBCU counter attack provided Abbo with his second goal. Pichet's through ball caught the Tarua defence off guard allowing Bouba Abbo to fire home under Wachara's body.

Pichit should really have wrapped the game up, but he somehow managed to balloon his shot over the bar from meters out.

Tarua seemed to run out of ideas and the closest they came to levelling was three minutes from time when Kittipong unconvincingly shot straight at the BBCU keeper.

It finished 2-1 with the Pink Panthers deservedly running out winners. Both sides should be in the promotion shake up come November, yet based on this 90 minutes, I'd say BBCU are the better bet for instantly returning to the TPL.

The official attendance was 2,609 but in reality it was probably double that. It's great to see the PAT buzzing again, yet at the same time it also attracts 'halfwits' to the stadium. Some moron threw a shoe at BBCU players as they protested the penalty decision, and there is footage of a so called Singh Tarua fan spitting at the BBCU physio. The perpetrator can be clearly pinpointed on the video clip and let's hope this unsavory character is punished appropriately.

Man of the Match: Bouba Abbo - Too good for this level

http://youtu.be/qApoxSGqtIQ