It looks like the two Chilean players (Carrasco and Vega) have both been ditched by BEC Tero, but they've just signed 4 new foreign players to bolster the squad:

Ever Benitez: Paraguay - Defender
Mariano Sorrentino: Argentina - Midfielder
Israel Rodriguez: Paraguay - Striker
Angelo Machuca: Paraguay - Midfielder

Byrne to Bangkok Glass





Link: http://www.thaileagueonline.com/news.php?id_news=2299&page=1

I think Davey Johnson had to retire with a back injury, so Chonburi are definitely better off with "Hertha" Berlin Ndebe-Nlome  .

Let's hope he is as good as his look-a-like!  

Looks like it's a done deal!

link: http://www.thaileagueonline.com/news.php?id_news=2290&page=1

New signing for Chonburi?

The Thai Premier League website lists ex Pompey player Berlin Ndebe-Nlome in the squad.




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Ndebe-Nlome

I just saw your e-mail. Thanks! 

Tickets priced between 100 & 500 baht. More info here: http://www.thaiticketmajor.com/sport/atletico-vs-thailand-eng.php

Thanks Loko! I didn't know that Thai Port vs Osotspa was on NBT11  . I thought it was on FBS TV.

It's on the AFC website: http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-champions-league/29849-suwon-rope-in-takahara-to-bolster-attack

I think your suggestion of forfeiting the game is the best solution to the problem. Better make it 10-0 rather than 3-0 to stop any potential jiggery pokery! 

If you watch the video again, keep your eye on the number 2. He clearly motions to head-butt the ref. Shame he didn't show the same tenacity about 10 seconds earlier when he bottled out of a challenge on the half way line  .

It was Andy Welsh wasn't it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Welsh

Is he better than Ali Dia 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Dia

Thailand eyes ACL re-entry

Kuala Lumpur: For the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), being reaccepted into the AFC Champions League fold will be like being born again into this world.

FAT have been working very hard in the past year so that the country fulfils the criteria to compete in Asia's premier club competition, said its Deputy General Secretary Thara Pluckcha-Oom.

Thara was part of the FAT delegation to the AFC House on Thursday to prove that Thailand, the new Thailand Premier League (TPL) and its clubs fulfil the revamped ACL criteria.

Thara said during an interview that the footballing landscape in his country has improved a lot since the ACL criteria was revamped towards the end of 2008 to make way for better football professionalism.

Thara said: “The TPL has improved a lot in the past few years. For one, the number of spectators watching a league game has soared to as high as 20,000. On average, about 5,000 people would be watching a match”.

Thara was also happy with the level of cooperation accorded to FAT by clubs in Thailand to facilitate the football association’s effort to be included in the ACL.

“All the clubs were doing their best to show that they are good enough to qualify for the ACL.

“The support we received from them was tremendous. They were willing to do what we requested them to do, which shows how serious they are to improve their level of professionalism in line with the ACL criteria,” Thara explained.

Thara was also very positive about Thai clubs’ future performance should the country be accepted back into the fold of the premier clubs showdown in the continent.

“Two of our clubs – Muangthong United and Thai Port – will be in the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup this September.

“We plan to repeat this performance in the ACL,” aspired Thara.

In 2006-07, the country’s football structure was in tatters. Fans were bewildered after being forced to follow two leagues that competed against each other – one featuring clubs attached to government entities and the other comprising provincial sides.

Instead of choosing to watch one or the other, fans merely stayed away.

Towards the end of the year 2008, the AFC excluded Thai clubs from the revamped 2009 ACL, in which professionalism was the main criteria.

Rather than wallowing, FAT decided to do something about it, resulting in the merger of both leagues, integrating the relatively higher professional standards of the former Thailand League with the large fan base generated by the former Pro League.

The decision to retain provincial sides instead of state-sponsored teams was helped by the performance of Chonburi FC in the 2008 ACL as they beat Australia’s Melbourne Victory and drew with Japan’s eventual champions Gamba Osaka.

In addition, FAT adopted much of the criteria made obligatory by AFC for member associations who want their club sides to compete in the ACL.

Joe Patit Suphaphongs, the AFC’s Website Department Creative Manager, who has helped to raise the profile of Asian football among Thai fans with his insightful and thought-provoking features, said Thai footballers are also making their contribution.

Overseas-based Thai players are beginning to return to their homeland to play for their home clubs.

Among the most notable ones, Therdsak Chaiman, a free kick specialist playing for the Singapore Air Force Football Club has returned this year to play for Chonburi FC.

Sutee Suksomkit, a professional latest with the Australian League’s Melbourne Victory, had signed up with Bangkok Glass FC back home.

Datsakorn Thonglao has signed up with Muangthong United after a stint with the Hoang Ahn Gia Lai club in Vietnam.

Teeratep Winothai had played professionally for Lierse S.K., a second division side in Belgium, and now is playing also for Muangthong United. He is formerly a youth player for the Crystal Palace Football Academy and Everton Football Academy.

“With all these happening in the span of just one year plus, one couldn’t help but marvel at the rate FAT, TPL, clubs and players are working in a concerted manner to regain their berth in the ACL,” Joe said.

"This will be a birthday gift for born-again Thai fans".


Link: http://www.the-afc.com/en/inside-afc/676-afc-news/29607-thailand-eyes-acl-re-entry

Any news on Leesaw? He was linked with a move to TOT-CAT, but that seems to have gone quiet.

According to KAA Gent's website, they have signed Yaya on a 3 year deal.

http://www.kaagent.be/actueel/1/01-07-2010/kaa-gent-legt-yaya-soumahoro-vast-voor-3-jaar

Translation:

01/07/2010

KAA Gent Soumahoro Yaya lays down for 3 years

KAA Gent realized today is a new transfer: Yaya Soumahoro, the 20-year old Ivorian striker of the Thai Muang Thong United team champion, will play the next three seasons for the Buffalo's. Yaya is a typical "left out" this season under the leadership of coach Rene Desaeyere became the flavor of the Thai competition.

Scout Gunther Schepens saw him at work: "Yaya is technically very strong, has an excellent conversion, scores and it causes many crucial assists. He will, of course, an adjustment needs but I feel eventually become one of the revelations in our league. "

Zing! 

Same dodgy haircut, different bloke  .

Thai Port's keeper yesterday was Ulrich Munze. The Chula keeper in your photos is now at TOT-CAT I think.

Buriram PEA must have plenty of away games coming up soon! 

I remember looking at the photos from Thai Port v BU and I didn't see a single farang in the BU section. Last season there were about 10 of them at the same fixture. Maybe they've lost interest?

I'm guessing the 1 win in 25 has silenced him! He was quite optimistic after they beat Osotspa earlier in the season. Boy was he wrong!

I guess the 1 win in 25 TPL games has put off the fair weather fans!

Were there any farangs amongst the 200?

Osotspa have signed Swedish player Olof Hviden-Watson from FC Trollhatten.

http://www.osotspafc.com/news/view.php?s_menu=5&id=48

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olof_Hvid%C3%A9n-Watson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhTzsQjq_p0&feature=player_embedded

4 of the North Korea squad are rumoured to have defected.

http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=goal-fifahasnoinformationonmissi

The ridiculous 'Kevin Phillips to Sisaket' rumour has been put to bed (for 12 months anyway  :).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/8748428.stm

Michael Byrne video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtOcd8VIPAg

MTU crossbar challenge:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bokMguUDSQA&feature=related

Bangkok Glass FC crossbar challenge:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nVJX1-4LAk&feature=related

Chonburi FC crossbar challenge:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiBMIRAsGlc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pieK7b4KLL4

 

Thanks, yeah they were good questions!

What would you choose Greg? Muangthong to win the AFC Cup or England to win the World Cup? I went for club over country!

I use the page that Loko posted. The futsal coverage on Thai League Online is pretty good to be honest. Here is another link that might interest both of you: http://www.thailandfutsalleague.com/

The format is to have 3 games at the same venue on the same day, so if you've got a few hours to spare you could see a few games.

World Cup Calendar...Very impressive!

http://www.marca.com/deporte/futbol/mundial/sudafrica-2010/calendario-english.html

Steve Darby back MTU to cause AFC Cup uspet

“Muangthong are, of course, the ‘Manchester United’ of South East Asia and a wealthy club with big ambitions,” former Thailand assistant and under 23 coach Steve Darby told www.the-afc.com.

“They are also doing everything right off the field in they have superb marketing and youth development programs. They are not just a first team but a strong club. Of course they also have great players with six regular Thailand national players.”

The Englishman is a veteran of the South East Asian football scene and is no stranger to the AFC Cup having led Singapore’s Home United to the final four in 2004 and Malaysian outfit Perak to the quarters-finals four years later.
And Darby is convinced that despite their lack of experience in continental competition, Muangthong United has what it takes to emerge victorious over two legs against a team that finished runners-up in last year’s AFC Cup and also reached the final of the 2006 AFC Champions League.

“The Syrians are the toughest opponents in the draw and are very hard to beat in Syria and I think unless Muangthong come away with a 2-0 win then Karamah have the strength at home to win,” he continued.

“But there is no doubt that Muangthong have the talent to cause a major surprise.

“If Datsakorn plays to his potential he can help create the goals for Teerasil and Yaya.

The Thai champions travel to Damascus for their first leg of their AFC Cup 2010 quarter-final clash with Al Karamah on September 14 before the action shifts to Bangkok a week later.

From: www.the-afc.com

I was also going to mention Fergie's "The players couldn't see each other" comment  .

I have to say it's a bit too bright for my liking and I can't see it being a commericial success. It might look reasonable on the players, but I certainly wouldn't wear it with my civvies, so it's a thumbs down from me.

Everton CEO said, "This new kit takes its inspiration from our Club's history, indeed it dates back to the 1890/91 season when Everton were crowned league champions for the very first time. The old pink kit saw Everton crowned champions, we want this new kit to help take Everton to the next level." - How about buying some new players then? That would be more of a help then a new kit  :

TPL Scores 1/6/10:

Samut Songkhram 0 - 1 Osotspa Saraburi

Buriram PEA 0 - 0 Bangkok United


* Buriram PEA are the only unbeaten team in the TPL, but they have drawn 7 out of 10 games.

* Sisaket are the only team yet to win a match this season.

Beckford is an interesting signing. He obviously knows where the back of the net is, but can he do it it in the Premier League? It's a free transfer, so no real risk on Everton's part. The Saints will do very well to keep hold of Lambert this summer, as i'm sure there will be interest in him. He's a Scouser isn't he?

Your original comment was a bit dismissive in my opinion and I felt you were trying to gloss over the negatives which had been discussed earlier.  My main point was that you can’t just say both teams were on the end of one bad call each let’s just call it even. The circumstances surrounding the two were very different. I was careful to say, “Being denied a blatant penalty when you are 2-1 down can affect the outcome of the match” rather than “did affect the outcome” because from what I’ve read Muangthong were the better team. I’m not suggesting, neither have I suggested anything else.

I disagree that because I didn’t see the game I can’t mention the negatives. All I did was post a photo of Baga being pulled back in the penalty area with the caption “here’s the proof”, plus the specified punishments for walking off the pitch. I really don’t see why I needed to have seen the game to post that info? If I had a photo of the Yaya Incident I would have also posted that.

I admire your tenacity and can understand your frustrations about it all, but that’s football! When Everton beat Chelsea and Man United earlier in the season, it was nothing to do with us playing well of course...according to the media they just had an off day. C’est la vie! 

What's this all about then? More touchline 'antics'?  :

3. Rene Desaeyere (head coach) and Procureur Robert Jean Pierer (interpreter) of Muang Thong United ( Thailand ) are suspended for their side’s first leg quarter-final match against Al Karamah ( Syria ) on 14.09.2010.

Link: http://www.the-afc.com/en/inside-afc/676-afc-news/29185-disciplinary-list-for-afc-cup

I do yes. Entering or leaving the field of play without the referee's permission is a cautionble offence. 

I wasn't best pleased with his "TTM can only manage a 0-0 draw against Thai Port" comment yesterday. We're not that bad! 

Being denied a blatant penalty when you are 2-1 down can affect the outcome of the match. Being denied a penalty/red card near the end of the game when you are 4-1 up isn't going to make any difference to the result whatsoever. The crucial decision (of the two we've mentioned) went against Chonburi, there is no doubt about it.

As for positives - apart from mentioning the good attendance, there is not much I can say really as I didn't see the game, so I can't comment on individual performances, atmosphere etc. The negatives surrounding the match have obviously created a talking point and I'm perfectly entitled to have my say.

RE: The Chonburi walk off

It's a stupid form of protest. The referee is not going to change his mind and it makes you look like a twat. I don't know how many of the players actually walked off the pitch (if any), but by the letter of the law, the referee should have booked every single player who did.


12.28.7 DELIBERATELY LEAVES THE FIELD OF PLAY WITHOUT PERMISSION

Players who leave the field without the referee’s permission most often do so for unsporting reasons – for example, to create an unfair offside situation (see Advice 11.10). They may also leave the field to indicate dissent or to “manage” the referee’s next decision. If a player does leave the field for some other reason without the referee’s permission to do so, and this results in gaining a tactical advantage for his or her team, the player has committed misconduct and must be cautioned and shown the yellow card.

Here's the proof!

The article was written by Tor Chittinand - say no more 

Why did both teams wear their away strips? If red and blue constitues a kit clash, the Merseyside derby will look a lot different from now on  .

It looks more like Arsenal v Stoke City rather than Muangthong v Chonburi!

Thanks for that Greg!

I look forward to reading your report of events...Sounds like it was an eventful game!