Friendlies

[jonny]

International Friendly, Supachalasai National Stadium, Bangkok
Kickoff 6:30pm (local) / 12.30am March 29 (NZT)

http://www.nzsoccer.com/page/fixtures__results.html

[SriRachaShark]

Anybody on here planning to go?

I'll be there. It'll be nice to see ex-Oldham striker, Chris Killen, playing for the Kiwis.

[kinteaw]

Thank you for this information, I will be at Rajamangkhala Stadium, Cheer ! Thailand.

It's at Supachalasai

Thanks

[jonny]

AUCKLAND – The Thai Airways All Whites will follow their March 28 friendly against Thailand with a March 31 match against Thailand ‘A’ to replace a cancelled fixture against Indonesia.

The Indonesian leg of New Zealand’s two match South East Asian trip was cancelled on March 2 due to safety concerns around that country’s upcoming legislative elections.

New Zealand Football CEO Michael Glading said removing the travel factor and turning the tour into a week-long Bangkok camp offered a settled start to a busy 2009 campaign.

“Less time spent travelling means more time together and more time on the grass. With our players spread far and wide, making the most of these FIFA windows is absolutely crucial.”

The second match could give New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert – currently in the United Kingdom – the chance to experiment with combinations and offered newer players like uncapped defender Aaron Scott and one-cap striker Kris Bright the chance of extended game time.

The New Zealand-based All Whites will fly out from Auckland on March 24, meeting their Australia, Europe and US based team mates in Bangkok.





March 31
New Zealand v Thailand ‘A’
International Friendly
Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok
Kick-off: 6.30pm (12.30am Apr 1 NZT)

http://www.nzsoccer.com/plugins/newsfeed.cgi?rm=content&plugin_data_id=27005

[jonny]

AUCKLAND – Thai Airways All Whites coach Ricki Herbert says he his relishing the chance to spend valuable time with his squad during a week long trip to Thailand.

Herbert named an almost full strength squad for matches against Thailand and Thailand ‘A’ on March 28 and 31 respectively – with just Leo Bertos and Ben Sigmund unavailable through injury, and young players Kris Bright and Aaron Scott given an opportunity to impress.

The New Zealand-based All Whites departed Auckland on Tuesday for Bangkok, where they will meet up with their overseas-based team-mates.

All Whites Squad to Thailand
Goalkeepers: Mark PASTON (Wellington Phoenix), Glen MOSS (Melbourne Victory)

Defenders: Kris BOUCKENOOGHE (Club Roeselare, Belgium), Andrew BOYENS (New York Red Bulls), Tony LOCHHEAD (Wellington Phoenix), David MULLIGAN (Wellington Phoenix), Ryan NELSEN (Blackburn Rovers), Aaron SCOTT (Waitakere United)

Midfielders: Tim BROWN (Wellington Phoenix), Jeremy CHRISTIE (Wellington Phoenix), Simon ELLIOTT (San Jose Earthquakes, USA), Chris JAMES (Tampere United, Finland), Duncan OUGHTON (Columbus Crew, USA)

Forwards: Kris BRIGHT (Panserraikas FC, Greece), Jeremy BROCKIE (North Queensland Fury), Chris KILLEN (Celtic), Shane SMELTZ (Gold Coast United), Jarrod SMITH (Seattle Sounders)

Management: Ricki Herbert (Head coach), Brian Turner (Assistant coach), Jonathan Gould (GK Coach), Phil Warbrick (Manager), Roland Jeffery (Physiotherapist), Tawhai Whitewood (Masseur), Celeste Gertsema (Doctor)

[jonny]

New Zealand v Thailand
March 28
Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok
Kick-off: 6.30pm (12.30am Mar 29 NZT)

New Zealand: Mark PASTON (GK), David MULLIGAN, Ryan NELSEN (Captain), Andrew BOYENS, Tony LOCHHEAD, Duncan OUGHTON, Simon ELLIOTT, Tim BROWN, Jeremy BROCKIE, Shane SMELTZ, Kris BRIGHT.
Substitutes: Glen MOSS, Kris BOUCKENOOGHE, Aaron SCOTT, Jeremy CHRISTIE, Chris JAMES,
Unavailable: Chris KILLEN, Jarrod SMITH.
Coach: Ricki HERBERT

[jonny]

0-1 after 15 mins

[jonny]

2-1 now

[jonny]

Thailand - New Zealand 3-1 FT

[jonny]

Match report :

http://www.nzsoccer.com/plugins/newsfeed.cgi?rm=content&plugin_data_id=27159

[sydneythai]

Does anyone have Thailand's line up or any YouTube links to highlights of the match? Cheers in advance

[jonny]

New Zealand v Thailand ‘A’
March 31
Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok
Kick-off: 6.30pm (12.30am April 1 NZT)

New Zealand: Glen MOSS (GK), Aaron SCOTT, Ryan NELSEN (Captain), Andrew BOYENS, Tony LOCHHEAD, Simon ELLIOTT, Tim BROWN, Jeremy CHRISTIE, Jeremy BROCKIE, Chris JAMES, Shane SMELTZ.
Substitutes: Mark PASTON (RGK), David MULLIGAN, Duncan OUGHTON, Kris BRIGHT, Kris BOUCKENOOGHE.
Unavailable: Chris KILLEN, Jarrod SMITH.

[jonny]

Match start now.

[jonny]

1-1 after 30 mins. Thailand scored in 6th minute , NZ in 22 min

[jonny]

Thailand - New Zealand 2-1 HT

[jonny]

2-2

[jonny]

2-2 FT

[jonny]

Match report :

http://www.nzsoccer.com/plugins/newsfeed.cgi?rm=content&plugin_data_id=27206

[Vinnie]

Would you be a New Zealander by any chance, Jonny?

[SriRachaShark]

Does anyone have Thailand's line up or any YouTube links to highlights of the match? Cheers in advance

Highlights will be on Football Crazy (ESPN/Star) tonight. Check their website from tomorrow. They may just put them on there.

[druryfire]

Liverpool to play the Thai National team - 22nd July

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N164079090422-0455.htm

[Vinnie]

Liverpool to play the Thai National team - 22nd July

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N164079090422-0455.htm

I wonder how many Thais will turn up to watch that match compared with how many turned up for their national team's last competitive match against Iran in January.

[kinteaw]

Just came across after a few months, Result is great

[Natt]

New Zealand were terrible 
it was great for us

[jonny]

Next friendly ?

[jonny]

May 26 Iran - Thailand in Teheran ?


http://www.persianfootball.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=4

[jonny]

MNA - TEHRAN, Iran’s football team is set to play Thailand on May 26 at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran.

Iran is scheduled to play North Korea on June 6. The team will also play the United Arab Emirates and South Korea on June 10th and 17th respectively.

Iran is fourth in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers in Group Two with six points. South Korea tops the pool with 11 points from five games, followed by its northern neighbor with 10 points from six games, with Saudi Arabia in third, also with 10 points from six games.

Afshin Ghotbi’s team will play Thailand ahead of a training camp which will be held in China. Iran, which was originally scheduled to travel to China on May 27, will travel to the country two days after the date.
 
http://www.persianfootball.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1980&Itemid=2

[jonny]

Bahrain  - Thailand on June 2 ?

http://www.fat.or.th/web/news_detail.php?nid=01411 

May 26 Thailand - Iran match is cancelled.

[jonny]

NATIONAL soccer team manager Hassan Khalfan has denied that Bahrain are to face Thailand in an international soccer match on June 2, despite the fixture being listed on Fifa's official website, reports PATRICK SALOMON.

The match was to be played in preparation for Bahrain's final two Fifa World Cup qualifiers next month.

Khalfan, however, told the GDN yesterday that the match should not be taking place as neither he nor the Bahrain Football Association have agreed to or been informed of the game.

"We have no information about this match and it's a surprise that the fixture is already on the Fifa site," Khalfan said.

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=250710

[sideliner]

Ticket prices for the Liverpool friendly in Singapore are extortionate by any standard - the cheapest ticket (88 Singapore dollars) is more expensive than the dearest ticket to watch Liverpool play a Premier League match at Anfield. There is a press conference about the Thailand game today so presume ticket prices will be announced then. Judging by the prices in Singapore, fans can expect to pay between 2000 and 4000 baht!

[SriRachaShark]

To be fair, the organisers of these games in Thailand usually offer reasonably priced tickets to the public. I've been to see a few of the touring teams over the years and, being such a cheapskate, I know I wouldn't have paid more than B500 ; )  The Arsenal match in '99 was B200 and I'm pretty sure that the 4 team tournament with Everton, M*n C*ty and Bolton was about the same.

[sideliner]

From memory, tickets for both the Real Madrid and Liverpool games here in 2003 were 2,000,  1,500,  1,000, 800 and  500 baht. It cost 100 baht to watch Real Madrid in training. Six years on I fully expect the prices to be much dearer, possibly in line with what is being charged in Singapore. Hope I am wrong - we will know later today.

[Vinnie]

It's depressing that 40-50,000 people will pay those prices but wouldn't pay 100-500 baht to watch their national team in competitive action against Iran in January.

[lokomotive]

It's depressing that 40-50,000 people will pay those prices but wouldn't pay 100-500 baht to watch their national team in competitive action against Iran in January.

Good comment Vinnie, bur on the other hand, how often I will be able to see Liverpool playing life in my country, compared to my national team. I would pay a lot of money (but still reasonable) to see Pool playing at Anfield. Bayern Munich I do have 30 minutes away from my door. And even only 20 minutes to their traininggrounds.

[SriRachaShark]

But, Lokomotive, I'm sure that you'd rather watch Germany than Liverpool. The point that Vinnie was making is that it would be better for Thai fans to turn out to cheer their national team than pay over the odds to attend a game featuring a club that is based 6,000 miles away.

I understand that the opportunity to watch World class players (Gerrard, Torres etc) is appealling but surely your own national team is more important.

We were at that match against Iran and felt quite disappointed at the turnout.

So, our message to Thai football fans is, "Get behind your team when it really matters".

[sideliner]

Ticket prices for the game were announced at the press conference and range from 600-3,000 baht. Not as expensive as Singapore but still not cheap.

[sideliner]

Just seen the rundown of the ticket prices and as one journalist who attended the press conference said, "they are very expensive". Seating behind the goals is 600 baht with the huge area across from the main stand, which organisers are describing as the Kop, costing 1,350. It will cost 1,750 a whack for the back of the main stand and 2500-3000 for the rest of the main stand. The dearest ticket for a Premier League match at Anfield is under 40 quid according to the club's website.

[kinteaw]

I heard that 600 baht is cheapest ticket

[Vinnie]

Seating behind the goals is 600 baht

100 baht for normal Thailand matches.

huge area across from the main stand, which organisers are describing as the Kop, costing 1,350.

200-300 baht for normal Thailand matches.

It will cost 1,750 a whack for the back of the main stand and 2500-3000 for the rest of the main stand.

500 baht for normal Thailand matches.

Need I say more?

[sideliner]

Yes, Vinnie, reckon it is going to have the dubious honour of being the most expensive match to have been played at Rajamangala Stadium. I have read that tickets for the Man U game in KL are priced from 600 to 1000 baht, which sounds reasonable.
The Liverpool commercial director said yesterday at a press conference that 17 countries wanted to stage the Liverpool game. Hong Kong was not one of them, the FA accusing the club of pricing themselves out of the market.


From the South China Morning Post

Premier League side Liverpool had priced themselves out of the market with "outrageous" demands to appear in Hong Kong, a Football Association source said last night.
The glamour team had asked for a US$1.5 million appearance fee, exclusive television rights and half the advertising revenue from a match, which would have been held at Hong Kong Stadium during the Reds' Asian tour in July. The HKFA was also expected to cover accommodation and airfare

This is outrageous," said a source close to the HKFA. "We all know Hong Kong, as well as other parts of the region, has been severely hit by the global financial meltdown, but Liverpool still want the world for their pre-season tour.
"They claim there are only two leading teams in the world who are able to attract fans in the region - Liverpool and Manchester United - and their match tickets are worth an average HK$800 per spectator in Hong Kong and so it would still be profitable for the organisers."
The demands are in sharp contrast to fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, who have agreed to come to Hong Kong to play South China on August 2. South China convenor Steven Lo Kit-sing believes he can stage that game for about HK$6 million.
According to the source, the government was willing to reduce the charge for Hong Kong Stadium in order to make the Liverpool match a reality. "The government wants to do something to stimulate the football market in Hong Kong and had agreed to fix the venue charge at HK$1 million," he said.
The normal charge is 20 per cent of the gate receipts, which would be much higher than the HK$1 million fee, if there was a full house.
Former Liverpool midfielder Steve McMahon, acting as an agent, had approached the HKFA about staging the match against the Hong Kong international team, but McMahon was warned losses would be inevitable unless the demands were more realistic.
"I don't think fans in Hong Kong would be willing to pay an average of HK$800 to watch the match, not even HK$500 in these difficult times," said the source.
"Although the HKFA is eager to hold the match, as it would be a good opportunity for the Hong Kong team to prepare for the East Asian championships in August, it's virtually impossible to satisfy Liverpool's demands."
The HKFA, the source said, would only charge the agent HK$1.6 million as the organising fee, which includes preparing the Hong Kong team, as well as printing tickets, security and miscellaneous expenses.
South China's Lo said his side's match against Spurs would have a maximum ticket price of just HK$250.
The source said the HKFA had given McMahon until the end of the week to reach a deal.
Liverpool will play matches in Thailand and Singapore on July 22 and July 26 respectively

[Vinnie]

I honestly wouldn't pay those prices to watch Liverpool if they were playing in Korat. It would be nice if Thai fans boycotted it and only a few thousand turned up but I won't hold my breath.

[jakartacasual]

when ,man u come to jakarta the cheapest tix are 1o usd while the most expensive are 350 usd!!!

macmahon tried bringing spurs here as well but the fa said no thanks...vietnam wouldn t pay what they wanted

liverpol wanted to play in malaysia but couldn t because of the shirt sponsor...

[lokomotive]

when ,man u come to jakarta the cheapest tix are 1o usd while the most expensive are 350 usd!!!

macmahon tried bringing spurs here as well but the fa said no thanks...vietnam wouldn t pay what they wanted

liverpol wanted to play in malaysia but couldn t because of the shirt sponsor...

While reading all these things, it makes me shaking my head. Unbelivable. Didn't you normaly do such kind of things for marketing issues? So why they want FA's have to pay so much money? That's ridiculous.

@ Shark and all the other english natives, don't forget that the english are most probably they only ones that follow the old english phrase "support your local team" more than 100%. If you are not living at home and able to support your local team, you go to support your local team where you living now. It is in your blood, in your culture. No other country has this attitude. At least not for more than 100% .... but I like that attitude :-)

[jonny]

Match against Bahrain away is cancelled. Bahrain will play Jordan.

[SriRachaShark]

From todays BKK Post :

Ticket prices raise concern for Reds match
By: TOR CHITTINAND

As all roads lead to Rome today when Manchester United meet Barcelona in the Champions League final, Liverpool will soon be heading to Southeast Asia.

 Liverpool will visit Thailand for the first time in six years in July as part of their preparations for the new season.

The five-time European champions will take on the Thai national team on July 22 at Rajamangala National Stadium at 8pm.

Four days later they will play in Singapore in their only other match in Asia during the closed season.

Liverpool initially planned to play in Hong Kong but the match was scrapped because of financial problems.

It was reported that concerned parties there complained about Liverpool's fees which they could not afford.

The Reds, who last came to Thailand in 2003, will reportedly receive US$1 million for playing in Bangkok.

In fact, it is fortunate for Liverpool fans here to get the chance to see their beloved club when their country is hit hard by economic woes.

It took quite a long time for concerned parties to agree terms to bring the Reds to Thailand.

The July trip is being organised by a foreign company _ the Profitable Group.

The organisers probably did not know much about Thai ways so they were too strict during a press conference to confirm the tour last week.

Only a certain number of journalists from a media outlet were allowed to attend the press conference although the room was big enough to accommodate more people.

This caused chaotic scenes as journalists without a badge were not allowed to enter the conference room.

"Liverpool are only runners-up in the Premier League. It could have been worse had they been the champions," observed a journalist.

Liverpool commercial director Ian Ayre said the trip was not mainly about money but aimed at building "sustainable loyalty" among fans in Asia.

However, I feel that the ticket prices from 600 to 3,000 baht are too expensive by Thai standards. This is probably a result of the Reds' fee.

Faithful Liverpool fans have to pay 1,350 baht (with a complimentary scarf) for a ticket for the so-called "The Kop stand".

I think the cheapest ticket should be lower than 600 baht and the most expensive one should be in the region of 1,500 baht.

Manchester United are much more successful than Liverpool this season and tickets for their game in Malaysia cost only about 600 to 1,000 baht.

It is reported that tickets for the Liverpool match here are selling like hot cakes. Hopefully, the game enjoys a full house.

Another problem is the tickets are on sale at 19 selected Adidas shops in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket instead of all their outlets.

This causes confusion and inconvenience for fans who may not know exactly which outlet sells the tickets.

The media were asked by the organisers to publish the Adidas shops that sell the tickets but this was not possible as the list is too long.

As for fans who have deep pockets, they can buy a 3,000 baht ticket (with a complimentary "Goody Bag") only at the Profitable Group (phone number 02-653-2201-2).

The organisers should have hired a ticket selling company to do the job as this would be more convenient for all concerned parties and fans could buy tickets at their outlets, by phone or online.

As Liverpool are still looking forward to winning their first English league crown for two decades, their prospects next season may not be so bright.

There might be a jinx in Thailand as most European clubs suffer an unconvincing season after their visit to this country.

Tor Chittinand is Bangkok Post's football writer.

[JonnyForeigner]

i phoned the "ticket hotline" only to be told i have to buy a ticket in person as they will no mail them - whatever happened to collecting them at the stadium with ID?

this has been very poorly managed and i doubt it will sell out. regardless of the price, which imho isn't too bad, to expect to sell 10,000s of thousands of tickets through a handful of retails outlets and an office on the 20th floor of a block in bangkok is ludicrous.

[druryfire]

Pakistan could tour Thailand this month



Sunday, June 07, 2009
By Alam Zeb Safi

KARACHI: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) plans to arrange a foreign tour for the senior team, most probably to Thailand, at the end of this month, a top official of the PFF told ‘The News’ on Saturday.

The secretary of the PFF Col Ahmad Yar Khan Lodhi said that he has contacted the football authorities of Thailand and Iran during the annual Congress meeting of the world football governing body (FIFA) held in North American state of Bahamas the other day and hopefully the federation would be able to convince them to host Pakistan for a ten-day tour.

“Thailand have almost agreed to our proposal but it is not yet confirmed as we are trying to formally make correspondence with them and are writing to them tomorrow (Monday) and I am hopeful that a tour would be arranged by the end of this month, or in the beginning of July,” Lodhi said.

The PFF is trying to arrange the tour according to the wishes of the coach George Kottan who is currently imparting training to the 23 top ranking footballers at the Punjab Stadium in Lahore. Out of the 23-member squad currently busy in the camp only ten players are such who had featured in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup Qualifiers held in Colombo in April this year while the rest are those who have been specifically picked up by the Austrian coach during the National Challenge Cup held at Hyderabad in April. Kottan is trying to groom players for the future.

Kottan had told The News the other day during an interview that foreign tours are very important and added that he had told the PFF to arrange a trip or two in the near future so that the standard of the team could be boosted. “For raising the standard of the team top class competitions are indispensable and I am looking for that. The players learn through exposure and it is indispensable for developing a side,” the 62-year old coach said.

Though the current camp in Lahore serves as a refresher course for those already tested in international circuit, but it is a real trial for those who are yet unknown to the coach George Kottan. Though originally the camp was planned for 14 days but if a foreign tour is arranged within few days it would then continue till the departure of the team for the expected series.

“Hopefully, everything about the tour would be made final within the next ten or twelve days. If the tour is managed the camp would continue, and if not, it could then be winded up after the coach completes his job,” the PFF secretary said.

Anyone heard of this news??

[Vinnie]

I guess it fits nicely into the mid-season break. It doesn't say whether they would be playing club sides or the national side. A "tour" would suggest club sides.

[druryfire]

Yes that's what i'm assuming, guess it will be pro Bangkok sides

[blue1878]

The Thailand/Liverpool match is being played 3 days before I arrive in Thailand.  Thats a shame because I think that I'd have liked to have watched the game.