Sunday 11 August Review

TPL

BEC Tero 1-1 Suphanburi
Buriram Utd 1-1 Muangthong Utd
Chiang Rai Utd 0-0 Songkhla Utd
Osotspa Saraburi 0-0 Bangkok Glass
Ratchaburi 3-0 Pattaya Utd

The current league leaders and the defending champions had to settle for a point each as they drew 1-1 at the I-Mobile Stadium. Both of the second half goals came from the penalty spot with Osmar Ibanez netting for Buriram and Mario Gjurovski for Muangthong. The draw keeps Buriram three points clear of MTU and the Thunder Castle would win the head-to-head should the duo finish level on points come November.

It was also 1-1 in Minburi between BEC Tero and Suphanburi. Suphot's 83rd minute low drive spared the blushes of teammate Decha after he'd put through his own net.

Ratchaburi continue to pull away from danger after they eased to a 3-0 win over Pattaya United. A Douglas penalty midway through the first half sent the Dragons on their way. Pattaya were reduced to ten men in the 29th minute when Theerayut was given a second yellow card following a rash challenge on Eakarat. Ten minutes after the break Obregon scored from close range to end the contest. The Dolphins miserable day was complete in the 67th minute when Cordero cheekily chipped a penalty to make it 3-0.

Chiang Rai's point in the goalless against Songkhla wasn't enough to lift them out of the bottom three. Worrying times are ahead for the northern club as their next two fixtures are against Buriram and Muangthong.

It was also blank in Saraburi between Osotspa and Bangkok Glass. BG's Amnaj was red carded in the 52nd minute, but Osotspa couldn't press home their man advantage.

Division 1

Khon Kaen 2-2 Siam Navy
Krabi 0-0 Rayong Utd
Phuket v Nakhon Pathom Utd
Rayong FC 0-0 BBCU

The Rayong clubs remain in deep trouble after the pair submitted 0-0 draws. Siam Navy are also still in dark waters after they threw away a 2-0 lead in Khon Kaen. Goals from Chusana and Kojima had the Sattahip club in front, but Recio reduced the deficit before Nakahara Shogo's penalty levelled proceedings 12 minutes from time.

Teco's first match at the helm of Phuket ended successfully with a 2-0 victory over Nakhon Pathom United. Kornprom's first half injury time strike gave the Islanders the lead and Alex rattled home a free kick after the break to secure the three points.

Buriram United 1-1 Muangthong United

The 'Super Big Match' ended honors even with both goals being netted from penalty kicks. Overall a draw was a fair result and it keeps the title race interesting for the majority of the Thai football community.

The first keeper called into action was Visanusak of Muangthong after seven minutes. He punched a whipped in Theerathon free kick into the air as the home side made the brighter start.

Muangthong gradually settled after a nervy first ten minutes and Piyaphon's low 30 yard drive fizzed about a foot wide of the post.

In the 15th minute, Tanasak made a great block as Dagno Siaka was about to pull the trigger yards from the goal after he'd been teed up by Gjurovski.

Five minutes later, it really should have been 1-0 to Buriram when Carmello released Kai Hirano on the left. The Japanese attacker was through on the keeper, but he sliced his shot wide of the target.

Muangthong were aiming most of their attacks down the right flank, and that tactic almost paid dividends in the 31st minute. Teerasil found space behind Theerathon and his cross into the six yard box was headed tamely wide by Piyaphon's well groomed mane. It the player's positions had been reversed, surely it would have been 1-0.

Moments later at the other end, Ri Kwang Chon's attempted clearance with his back to the ball was miscued directly into the path of Berrocal. The recent signing panicked and pulled his shot meters wide of the target. The meek effort from the Spaniard summed up his contribution throughout the match. The Thunder Castle clearly missed the attacking presence of Javier Patino.

The home side were turning up the tempo and Visanusak made a great block to deny Carmelo from seven yards after Suree had pulled the ball back to him. The TPL top scorer was making his return to the side after a spell in the doghouse and it was him who was looking like Buriram's best bet for a goal.

Three minutes before the interval, a 30 yard Datsakorn free kick hit the top of the crossbar as the action crossed back to the opposite end.

It was 0-0 at the break, and it was the guests who had the first effort in the second period. Gjurovski found Thitipan down the right, but yet again the quality of finish was poor as he pulled his shot across the goal.

Muangthong's stand in keeper was certainly a puncher and his failure to catch the ball from crosses was causing his side problems. Osmar Ibanez almost took advantage of one of his fisted flaps, but his shot on the turn was blocked on the line by a cluster red shirts. 

In the 59th minute, Buriram were awarded a penalty when Kai Hirano slipped in Surat. He was bundled over by Artit as he turned in the box. The South Korean whistler pointed to the spot and Osmar Ibanez duly opened the scoring sending Visanusak the wrong way.

Five minutes later, the referee evened things up when he penalised Tanasak for nudging over Mario Gjurovski as he was bearing down on goal. The Macedonian dusted himself down to even matters.

The match was then held up for several minutes as Visanusak received a lengthy spell of treatment that required oxygen. He was eventually replaced by SEA games hopeful Kampol.

The match lost it's way once it resumed with both sides seeming content to settle for a point. There was very little to note in the last quarter as it ended 1-1.

The draw leaves Muangthong three points behind Buriram in the official TPL table having both played 20 games. It should be noted that Muangthong's points haul includes the 2-1 win at Sisaket earlier in the year. So effectively Buriram are six points clear having played an extra game.

Saturday 9 August Review

TPL

Army Utd 3-2 TOT
Chonburi 1-0 Bangkok Utd
Samut Songkhram 1-0 Chainat

Saturday's action saw three narrow home victories with the most dramatic coming at the Royal Thai Army Stadium. With 90 minutes played, TOT held a 2-1 lead, but that was wiped out in stoppage time thanks to a Bjorn Lindemann double. Bas Savage had given TOT the lead before Nipol levelled early in the second half. Somchai's 71st minute goal appeared to have won the contest for TOT. Noppol of TOT was ordered off before the late strikes from the German ensured Army remained in fifth place.

Chonburi are only six points behind leaders Buriram Utd after their 1-0 win over Bangkok United. A win for Muangthong over Buriram in the "Super Big Match" today would allow Chonburi back onto the periphery of the title race. Defender Suttinan was yet again on the score sheet with his close range first half goal being the difference between the sides.

It was the same result in Mae Khlong as Prawat's goal on the hour earned Samut Songkhram a vital three points. The 1-0 triumph over Chainat moved Samut Songkhram out of the relegation zone, but that will change if Chiang Rai Utd beat Songkhla Utd later today.

Division 1

Bangkok FC 2-1 Ayutthaya
Nakhon Ratchasima 3-0 Trat
PTT Rayong 1-1 Saraburi
Singh Tarua 4-1 Sriracha
TTM 2-2 Air Force

Wins for Singh Tarua and Bangkok FC moved them closer to the Top 2 after PTT Rayong and Air Force drew.

Bernard Henri's 80th minute goal earned a creditable draw for Saraburi at the PTT Stadium. Kirati had earlier given PTT the lead.

Kouassi Yao Hermann spared Air Force's blushes as his brace grabbed his side a point at TTM. His 84th minute penalty equalizer earned Air Force's first point in three attempts as the Airmen's stuttering form continues.

For the second successive Saturday, Bangkok FC were grateful to Lee Tuck as he scored the winner right at the death. The Englishman had an eventful afternoon. His goal was sandwiched inbetween a penalty miss and a second yellow card in the 96th minute. Antonio Vega's drive gave Ayutthaya a 14th minute lead shortly before birthday boy Olof Watson replied for Bangkok FC. Ayutthaya had Siriwat and Melo sent off before Tuck's spectacular winner.

The Bulligans stay fourth after Singh Tarua beat Sriracha 4-1. It was a slightly flattering scoreline as late goals from Ali Diarra and Narongrit added some gloss to the result. Sriracha would have been disappointed with their flat performance and they'll point to the first half penalty decision as the changing moment of the contest.

Nakhon Ratchasima's 3-0 win over Trat moved them up to fifth place. The Swatcats are in decent form although they may have made their move too late as they have an eight point gap to retrieve on third placed Singh Tarua. A crowd of just over 10,000 braved the monsoon conditions to watch goals from Saruch and two from Yusuke Kato as Trat suffered their third straight loss.

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.

Matchday 21 Preview

TPL

Saturday
Army Utd v TOT
Chonburi v Bangkok Utd
Police Utd P-P Sisaket
Samut Songkhram v Chainat

Sunday
BEC Tero v Suphanburi
Buriram Utd v Muangthong Utd
Chiang Rai Utd v Songkhla Utd
Osotspa Saraburi v Bangkok Glass
Ratchaburi v Pattaya Utd

There is no doubting which match captures all the attention on Matchday 21. Leaders Buriam United host second placed Muangthong United and a victory for the Thunder Castle would have the TPL crown firmly within their grasp. Buriram only have one blemish on their home record this term and that was back on the first weekend of the season when newly promoted Suphanburi earned an unexpected draw.
Muangthong are currently producing their best football of the season after their TPL form stuttered during their disastrous AFC Champions League campaign. Muangthong have Djurovski back from suspension and it wouldn't surprise me if Kawin is thrust back into the starting line-up too.

The games at BEC Tero, Chiang Rai, Ratchaburi and Saraburi will very much play second fiddle on Sunday. It's a shame really as form team Osotspa Saraburi will be looking to Chananan, who is currently on a hot goal scoring streak, to inflict more damage onto Bangkok Glass after they suffered a humiliating 5-0 loss at Police last weekend.
Jhon Obregon has been receiving rave reviews since his recent transfer to Ratchaburi and the "Balotelli of Columbia" will fancy his chances of notching a couple of goals against the worst defence in the league (Pattaya).
BEC Tero stopped the rot last Saturday with a 1-1 draw against Bangkok United and realistically another point from fourth placed Suphanburi would be an adequate return.
The longest trip on the TPL schedule will be undertaken when Songkhla United embark on the 3,500km round trip to Chiang Rai. The Fighting Beetles will begin as favorites after they finally broke their duck at the United Stadium last week with a victory over Chainat.

On Saturday, third placed Chonburi should be expecting to extend their unbeaten run in the league to five when they welcome Bangkok United while TOT will travel to Army hoping to make amends for the 4-0 mauling the suffered in Laksi back in April.

Samut Songkhram have only scored a pitiful 11 goals from 19 matches. Time is running out for Mackerels and three points are vital from the visit of mid-table Chainat.

Division 1

Saturday
Bangkok FC v Ayutthaya
Nakhon Ratchasima v Trat
PTT Rayong v Saraburi
Singh Tarua v Sriracha
TTM v Air Force

Sunday
Khon Kaen v Siam Navy
Krabi v Rayong Utd
Phuket v Nakhon Pathom Utd
Rayong FC v BBCU

The Top 6 are all involved on Saturday with two of them clashing at the PTT Stadium. PTT Rayong hit the top of the table last weekend, and they can still boast an unbeaten record in the league. Their opponents, Saraburi, have won their last three games to keep within striking distance of the Top 3.
Air Force have lost their last two matches and have dropped to second position as a consequence. They'll be hoping to get back to winning ways at TTM's nearby temporary home, the Bunyajinda Stadium, before they host Bangkok FC next Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Bulligans welcome Ayutthaya as they play their fifth successive home match while for Singh Tarua's fourth consecutive game at the PAT Stadium, Sriracha will be gracing the away locker room.
Korat's new Japanese coach, Sukao Kambei, has made an impressive start winning his first two competitive fixtures. Their guests Trat have lost their last two and their season is endanger of petering out.

On Sunday, Phuket will unleash new coach, Stefano 'Teco' Cugurra. Regrettably for the Brazilian, the Islanders previous coach, Paniphon Kertyaem, has left their under achieving squad with an eight point gap on third placed Singh Tarua. Teco will need to reignite the magic he produced in 2010 when his Chiang Rai squad produced a flawless late run-in to earn promotion to the TPL.
Rayong FC were pitted against Buriram United in the semi final draw of the League Cup, but they'll need to overlook their upcoming glamour tie for now as three points from BBCU is their immediate priority.
Krabi will be confident of making it three wins in a row when they host Rayong United, and Khon Kaen will harbor similar thoughts when they welcome a Siam Navy side that hasn't travelled well this season.The Sattahip club will be hopeful that new coach Arjhan can lead them to their first away win of the campaign.

Toyota League Cup Semi Final Draw

Ratchaburi v Nakhon Ratchasima
Rayong FC v Buriram Utd

The two-legged ties are scheduled for 18 September and 2 October.
The Rayong FC v Buriram tie will need to be rearranged due to Buriram's involvement in the AFC Champions League.

Edit: It appears that both first legs have been switched to 4 September. 

Sunday 4 August Review

TPL

Army Utd 3-2 Pattaya Utd
Chonburi 4-2 Ratchaburi
Osotspa Saraburi 4-0 TOT
Samut Songkhram 1-3 Suphanburi


There were plenty of goals scored on Sunday as Chonburi and Suphanburi both submitted wins to heat up the battle for third place. Chonburi's 4-2 win over Ratchaburi was four days too late for the liking of most Chonburi fans, but it did at least erase some of the pain felt after their league cup exit on Wednesday. Suttinan bundled the ball into his own net before he made amends at the correct end to level. Ajayi set up Kushida and Therdsak to make it 3-1 before scoring the fourth himself in the 88th minute. Cordero's late drive pulled one back for Ratchaburi.

The match between Samut Songkhram and Suphanburi came to life after the break with Boskovic giving Suphan the lead. Watcharapong levelled before the unfortunate Porawat scored an own goal to give Suphanburi the lead again. Former Samut Songkhram favorite Bireme Diouf wrapped up the 3-1 win in stoppage time.

Osotspa blitzed TOT with four second half goals with Chananan claiming a hat-trick. Shipahu added the fourth as Osotspa extended their unbeaten run to nine games.

A Bjorn Lindemann brace helped Army over the line as they beat Pattaya 3-2. The Bangkok side appeared to be heading for a comfortable win as they held a 2-0 advantage at the break. Pattaya fought back and looked to have earned a point when Dyachenko netted the Dolphin's second six minutes from time. However a Lindemann free kick delivered into the box found it's way into the back of the net to move Army up to fifth place.

Division 1

Nakhon Ratchasima 1-0 Air Force
PTT Rayong 2-1 Ayutthaya
Siam Navy 2-2 Sriracha
Singh Tarua 1-0 Rayong Utd

PTT Rayong and Air Force traded places after yesterday's games. PTT moved to the top after they edged out Ayutthaya 2-1. Sorasak's goal for Ayutthaya was the first scored by a visiting team at the PTT Stadium yet it wasn't enough as the Oil Millionaires grabbed two of their own. Adisak got the faintest touch to a free kick for the first while Kirati flicked home a corner for the second. Sorasak was sent off late on for Ayutthaya.

A crowd just shy of 10,000 watched Nakhon Ratchasima beat Air Force 1-0. The away side were reduced to 10 men before Yusuke Kato scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot.

Air Force must be nervously looking over their shoulder as Singh Tarua and Bangkok FC are closing in on them. Singh Tarua beat Rayong FC 1-0 to move back into third spot at the expense of Bangkok FC.

Siam Navy and Sriracha shared the points as the Chonburi derby finished 2-2. Both sides still remain in the thick of the relegation battle.

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

Saturday 3 August Review

TPL

BEC Tero 1-1 Bangkok Utd
The draw ended Tero's sequence of defeats while it doubled United's points haul on the road. Anon gave BEC the lead after a scuffed Cleiton Silva free kick landed kindly into his path. However, Bangkok United drew level shortly after the interval when Sompong scored from close range. The Fire Dragons will feel slightly unfortunate not to have won as they were denied twice by the woodwork.

Chiang Rai Utd 2-1 Chainat
The Orange Power finally witnessed a home victory after their favorites edged out Chainat 2-1. Nantawat headed the Fighting Beetles infront, but that was cancelled out ten minutes later when Mbengono Yannick raced onto a long kick from the goalkeeper to level. Choklap's second half winner helped CRU climb above Samut Songkhram and more importantly, out of the danger zone.

Police Utd 5-0 Bangkok Glass
The Pathumthani derby went the way of Police United as they hammered Bangkok Glass 5-0. Michael Murcy was the hero of the day bagging a hat-trick. The defending for all five goals from BG was atrocious as they succumbed to their heaviest defeat of the season. Pokkhao and Felipe Ferreira were the other two scorers for the Crimson Cops.

Songkhla Utd 0-2 Muangthong Utd
A crowd of 19,444 watched Muangthong United win 2-0 in Songkhla.The returning Edvaldo Hermoza gave Muangthong a first half lead and a scrappy Teerasil goal wrapped up the points ten minutes from time. In the official TPL table, Muangthong are now three points behind Buriram having played the same amount of games.

Division 1

Bangkok FC 2-1 Nakhon Pathom Utd
Lee Tuck scored at the death to give Bangkok FC a vital three points. Antonio Pina had given the Bulligans the lead before Cho Kwang Hoon equalized after Renato had his penalty saved. Leslie Ablorh was dismissed five minutes into the second half as Bangkok FC struggled to break down the ten men of Nakhon Pathom. The late winner move Bangkok FC back into third place and they'll be hoping that Rayong United can take something off Tarua later today.

Khon Kaen 2-0 BBCU 
BBCU's early season promotion hopes are now a distant memory and if form doesn't improve, they could get sucked into a relegation scrap. Second half goals from Li Xiang and Matias Recio moved the T-Rex three points clear of danger.

Krabi 3-2 Trat 
Goals from Soukaphone, John Mary and Ekaphan helped Krabi win their second successive match. The defeat for Trat was their second in a row and the White Elephants have fallen nine points away from third place. 

Phuket 1-1 TTM
Phuket fans were again left frustrated as they dropped two points at home to TTM. The Islanders were looking good for the win when Alex headed them in front early in the second period. Alfred Emuejeraye's chip come cross earned TTM a point to move them onto 20 points.

Rayong FC 0-2 Saraburi
Two first half goals from Errol Stevens gave Saraburi victory against Toyota League cup semi finalists, Rayong FC. The defeat for Rayong FC leaves them second from bottom while Sarburi remain in fifth. 

Bangkok FC 2-1 Nakhon Pathom United

Lee Tuck scored the winner on the stroke of full time as Bangkok FC earned a hard fought win over a gritty 10 man Nakhon Pathom United.

The lingering dark rainclouds over the Bangkok skyline finally opened in Bang Mod 15 minutes prior kick off, and they continued to drizzle over the  72-years Anniversary Stadium for the entire 90 minutes.

The first keeper called into action was the Worawut of the Iron Bulls who had to make a double save from Paulo Renato after Jakkrapong had 'fresh-aired' an attempted clearance.

The home side gradually began to dominate and Rocha dos Santos almost connected to an inswinging free kick from the luminous green boots of Antonio Pina.

Two minutes later, it was a pair of brightly coloured pink boots that grabbed my attention as Tana's curling free kick was unconvincingly smothered by Nakhon Pathom's keeper, Narong.

Orange was the next colour up moments later with Decha drilling a shot across the guest's goal.

The first goal of the afternoon arrived on the half hour when Pina drilled home from inside the box after his shot was too hot for Narong to handle.

Bangkok FC seemed to be thoroughly in control, but within five minutes the away side had levelled. Andre Houma's turn and cross hit Jakkapong on the arm and a penalty was awarded. It was slightly harsh as it was accidental, but under the "letter of the law," the referee probably called it right.

Paulo Renato's penalty was weakly hit and Worawut parried it away, but in the resultant scramble, the ball was cut back to Cho Kwang Hoon to stroke home the equalizer.

The next major incident came four minutes after the break when Nakhon Pathom were reduced to 10 men. Leslie Ablorh was given his marching orders after he kicked out at Jaturong after the BEC Tero loanee had kicked the ball into the former JW Rangsit man as he was lying on the ground. Again, it was a bit soft as Jaturong made a meal of it, but the referee was correct as he's just following the punishment code he's been given.

After the sending off, the guests dug in and Bangkok FC were struggling to profit from their man advantage.

Midway through the second half, the Bulligans switched Lee Tuck from right midfield to striker, and they started to create chances.

Antonio Pina came close on a couple of occasions while Tuck was becoming an increasing threat in the final third. At the other end, Worawut smartly saved a drive from Kiattisak as Nakhon Pathom made a rare venture over the halfway line.

With two minutes remaining, NP almost snatched a winnner after a slip from Jakkapong on the touchline gifted possession to Houma, but his shot come cross was cleared after he'd embarked on a pacy run.

The winning goal was scored seconds after the fourth official had held up the board indicating five minutes of injury time. Antonio Pina ran from the halfway line and his precise pass sliced through the middle of the Nakhon Pathom defence to enable Lee Tuck to slot home the winner.

The relief around the stadium at the final whistle clearly indicated that it had been a hard fought victory for Bangkok FC. The home side weren't at their best and they'll need to improve if they are to make it to the TPL. Nakhon Pathom weren't particularly pretty to watch yet their stuffy resistance almost earned them a point.

Man of the Match: Antonio Pina - A goal and an assist from the centre of the park

Nakhon Pathon score