Thailand Division 2 Thread

[Vinnie]

Top of the league! 1-0 win at home to Chaiyaphum! 10 points from 4 games.

[SriRachaShark]

Top of the league! 1-0 win at home to Chaiyaphum! 10 points from 4 games.

Even at this early stage you're looking a good bet to go up. What sort of crowds have you been attracting?

[Vinnie]

Yesterday, 388     But from small acorns and all that. There was a bigger crowd for the Ubon game but they brought close on 100 fans with them. There was alledgedly 2,000 at Surin's first home game. If they can, why can't we? What's wrong with people in this city? 

[SriRachaShark]

Yesterday, 388     But from small acorns and all that. There was a bigger crowd for the Ubon game but they brought close on 100 fans with them. There was alledgedly 2,000 at Surin's first home game. If they can, why can't we? What's wrong with people in this city? 

I guess that the out of town location doesn't help. However, I can remember going to watch a certain team when they regularly attracted about 200 for home games

Who knows what the future holds for you. Keep the faith

[Vinnie]

Yesterday, 388     But from small acorns and all that. There was a bigger crowd for the Ubon game but they brought close on 100 fans with them. There was alledgedly 2,000 at Surin's first home game. If they can, why can't we? What's wrong with people in this city? 

I guess that the out of town location doesn't help. However, I can remember going to watch a certain team when they regularly attracted about 200 for home games

Who knows what the future holds for you. Keep the faith

I'm certainly keeping the faith. I think we know that Thai fans respond to success so I'm hoping promotion this season will stimulate interest.

[Vinnie]

I guess that the out of town location doesn't help. However, I can remember going to watch a certain team when they regularly attracted about 200 for home games

Who knows what the future holds for you. Keep the faith

It also doesn't help when the kick-off time is changed less than 24 hours before kick-off! That's just amateurish and unnecessary.

On the bright side, it's good to see Ubon "Coffee Shop" United struggling with four points from four games.
I think we'll have a better idea of our promotion chances this season after this weekend's match - we're away to Loei who are joint top of the division with us.

[Nigb]

[/quote]
On the bright side, it's good to see Ubon "Coffee Shop" United struggling with four points from four games.
[/quote]

you should up them one with a Korat bar, game on

[Nigb]

there is no news about promotion for division 2 teams, odds are there is no system worked out yet.
Anyone have any suggestions? you never know the FAT may pop in and get inspired.

[WeeGB]

Hi,
This is my first post on this board, so I'd like to start in a positive manner.
In an effort to stop any further violence at matches in Thailand, I'd like to invite any followers of Phitsanulok to sit with us on Sunday, at Phetchabuns home game with your team.
You are assured of a warm welcome from my wife and I, win lose or draw!
I should be easy to spot, I was the only farang at the previous games.

Go Petchaboooon!!

[SriRachaShark]

Welcome aboard, WeeGB. Hope you'll become a regular poster and keep us updated with Phetchabun's progress.

[Vinnie]

there is no news about promotion for division 2 teams, odds are there is no system worked out yet.
Anyone have any suggestions? you never know the FAT may pop in and get inspired.

Well it seems they've left themselves no options but to have five go down from Div 1. If they don't do that then it means you are going to have teams winning divisions in the Regional League and not going up.
In an ideal world I would have two division 1 sections - A and B and four regional division 2 sections. That way you could have two promoted from every div 2 section with four going into Div 1A and four into Div 1B. Then you could have four relegated from TPL with two going into each Div 1 section.

[WeeGB]

Vinnie, your promotion / relegation idea looks eminently sensible to me. The only reason I can see for the FAT starting with 5 sections in Division 2 is the distances and costs involved in travelling. Hopefully the game here will grow in the near future, attracting more sponsors.
In the meantime, I wouldn't mind paying an entrance fee at Phetchabun, if it helps the sport to progress. Do other clubs charge admission, in the lower leagues?

[thai in notts]

Adults pay 40 baht and Children are free at Nakonratchasima FC. Not bad if they kick off at the advertised time.

[Vinnie]

20 baht at Surin. Korat didn't charge when they played at the old ground.

[SriRachaShark]

A great win for Korat today. I look forward to reading your next post, Vinnie. : )

[WeeGB]

Phetchabun 3 Pitsanulok 1

Three home games – three wins.

This time, I felt the two goal margin flattered the boys in green, I’m in no doubt that they deserved to win, but a one goal margin would have been a more accurate reflection of the play. Sadly the crowd was only about 150 or so, hopefully this will improve, particularly as we are riding high in the league. There does not seem to be any promotion locally, about the games, seems the club needs to try and get it’s act together on the commercial side. No website, no posters up advertising the matches, no club shop. As we are a University based side, perhaps all of this will improve when the term starts.

Nice to see a fair sized, well behaved away support, complete with drummers! Seemed a nice bunch of chaps, very vocal in their support, sang  a version of “When the saints”, (in Thai). 

This was a scrappy game with numerous free kicks, which spoilt the flow of the play. A hotly disputed scrambled opening goal, which gave Phetchabun the lead at the interval, was followed by a deflected equalising goal for Pitsanulok, mid way through the second half. It seemed that the game would peter out into a draw, but Phetchabun’s  number 10 scored with a superb 20 yard shot, before a late penalty sealed the outcome of the game.

For Phetchabun, the goalkeeper was very good, beaten only by a deflection, the defence played well, in midfield both our Nos 8 & 10 were superb. I’d like to see the midfield getting forward more quickly, as often our strikers seem isolated, and I’d also like to see us try more shots at goal. Several times chances for a shot presented themselves, but the players didn’t try their luck.

I was going to post this last night, after the game, but we were babysitting our three month old nephew, who incidentally, I’m looking forward to taking to Phetchabun games in a couple of years or so.

There are several things I’d have complained about if I’d posted earlier, but on reflection, they all form part of the game we love.

Firstly, Phetchabuns No. 7, a very young looking lad, seemed to want to dribble past the whole “Pitlok” defence, doing multiple stepovers as he did so, particularly in the first half. Several times, when the chance of a pass or shot presented itself, he’d carry on dribbling until he lost the ball. In the second half, he was much more productive, possibly our coach gave him the “hairdryer” treatment at half time. By the end of the game he was playing really well.

Last night I found his style of play annoying, but if football in Thailand is to grow, it needs players like this young lad. When I first started going to games, as a young boy, the players that caught my imagination were people such as George Best, Charlie Cooke, Peter Thompson, and from my home town team, Derrick Downing, David Chadwick & Eric McMordie. All of these exhibited the same attitude as Phetchabuns’ No. 7, they could all beat defenders with ease, before usually losing the ball, but sometimes the end result could be brilliant, and that’s the beauty of football, you never know what you’re going to get. Hopefully, because of  No7’s trickery, there will be a couple of young kids in Phetchabun, out practicing their stepovers today. I do hope this lad is allowed to develop, he really looks very young, maybe in a few years he’ll be a the finished article.

Secondly, the attitude of several of Pitsanuloks’ players left a lot to be desired. They argued every decision with the referee, particularly their No. 21. This chap was quite a good player, but his lack of control let him down. He should have been yellow carded early in the game, but the referee let him get away with constant abuse, which led to his team mates joining in. On two occasions free kicks to Phetchabun were taken with a Pitsanulok player two or three feet away, trying to limit the taker’s options. The referee let this pass, which did nothing to aid his control of the game.
Again on reflection, this is what the game needs here. Without “bad guys”, would the game be so exciting? Part of the thrill of football, is being able to give a bit of ‘stick” to the oppositions’ hatchet man, or serial complainer.

I was all set to be critical of the referee, for his lack of control, but maybe the chap just had an off day. He did seem to get the major decisions right, though Petchabuns first goal was loudly protested by the Pitsanulok team. I didn’t see anything wrong, but I was sitting 50 yards away, (and no, I’m not trying to impersonate Arsene Wenger!). If referees were perfect, and fully controlled every game, getting every decision right, would we bother to watch?

In conclusion, a watchable game, not up to the same standard as the first two home matches, but another enjoyable afternoons entertainment.
WeeGB

[Vinnie]

A great win for Korat today. I look forward to reading your next post, Vinnie. : )

I only have Internet access at work and the shriek I just let rip after checking the result is getting me some very funny looks!
A superb result. Loei hadn't conceded a goal until yesterday and we knock 3 past them on their own patch! Still early days though. I'm not getting carried away...yet!

[Vinnie]

Thanks for the report WeeGB, an enjoyable and philosophical take on the 'beautiful game'.
We're building up something of a network of fans regularly going to games and reporting back.

[SriRachaShark]

Yes, great report WeeGB. Some very astute observations also. You will get used to certain aspects of the Thai game - the petulance, the obligatory 20 man brawl/pushing and shoving, the stretcher being used 30 or 40 times a match (usually by the team who are in front - hmm), terrible referees etc but, as you say, it's what makes it entertaining.

The advertising and commercial side will come eventually but don't hold your breath. The points you make in your first paragraph were all true of Chonburi (and most other clubs) when I first started going in 2002. At times it felt like being a part of a secret underground movement when information was only given out on a need to know basis. It's a lot different now.

Keep posting the reports and let us know how the no. 7 gets on. : )

[Nigb]

got a match report about Chiang Rai (5 matches 5 wins) match from Limbo on www.thaileaguefootball.com


A couple of weeks ago both teams played 'a friendly' against each other that still in a draw.
So not all cards were on the table at the beginning of the match.
The first 33 minutes were really frightening. The forwards didn't find each other and the pressure was high. Both Uttaradit and Chiang Rai were playing rather defensive. Good old goaly Meesatham was as steady as a rock, so there was no reason for panic.

The battle was fought on the mid-field.
Not less than three of the regular forwards were injured and just as many reserves got a chance to show that they were up to their task.
After the first goal (not really a beauty, after some frumbling in the six yard area finally the ball ended up in the net) they clearly relaxed and we saw more and more daring and nice 'floating' combinations, especially on the right wing.

The second half was certainly for Chiang Rai. The two goals (60 and 80 minutes in the game) were
the result of a clear dominance on the mid-field and the creativity of the strikers.
Especially the third goal was a beauty, resulting from a straightforward, as elegant as effective, attack.

It could have been worse for Uttaradit if their goalkeeper hadn't done an excellent rescue in the 70th minute.
The two yellow cards for Uttaradit which they harvested in the second half were a sign that they got more and more
under pressure. In general it was a very sportive game from both sides.

So, 15 points out of 5 games. Next week an away game in Pitsanoluk. The pressure on the players will soon be unbearable.
Certain comparisions with the adventures of Hoffenheim, now 'Bundesliga', can certainly be made.
All will be after the hot favourite!

The 'Orange Legion' (the 'farang' supportersclub Chiang Rai United FC) might get a group together to accompagny the team.

Rico's 'Beach Bar' will be the supporters home. More information in a couple of days. Consider to join!

Limbo

[Vinnie]

Korat won 8-0 against Roiet yesterday and will be at least 4 points clear at the top following this weekend's round of matches. I should be delighted but unfortunately it seems that the powers that be at Korat are determined to ensure that the fans will not get to be a part of this great season. Despite fixture lists being put up all round the city and despie extensive advertising on local radio, the kick-off time was again changed 24 hours before the event. This time it was moved forward 2 hours from 18:00 to 16:00. Yesterday lunchtime I was spitting bullets and I've only calmed down a little now.
SRS wrote in another thread that following Thai football used to feel like being part of a secret underground organisation. Well in Korat it still feels that way. 

[Vinnie]

Korat 5 points clear with the sixth round of matches completed.
I feel a little better now! Particularly as Ubon "TPL in 2 years" United lost 3-0 at Udon. 

[SriRachaShark]

Korat won 8-0 against Roiet yesterday and will be at least 4 points clear at the top following this weekend's round of matches. I should be delighted but unfortunately it seems that the powers that be at Korat are determined to ensure that the fans will not get to be a part of this great season. Despite fixture lists being put up all round the city and despie extensive advertising on local radio, the kick-off time was again changed 24 hours before the event. This time it was moved forward 2 hours from 18:00 to 16:00. Yesterday lunchtime I was spitting bullets and I've only calmed down a little now.
SRS wrote in another thread that following Thai football used to feel like being part of a secret underground organisation. Well in Korat it still feels that way. 

Sorry to hear that, Vinnie. It is extremely frustrating. I take it that you missed the match because of this switch. How, and when, did you learn of the change?

In the old days I used to call a couple of the players to check kick off times. They didn't always know(!!)but at least they kept me in touch. Maybe it's worth you doing the same. It doesn't solve the problem of keeping the rest of the population informed but it would ensure that you were kept up to date.

[Vinnie]

I found out at lunchtime on Saturday. Far too late to change my schedule by then. I was due to finish work at 17:15 (which in itself had involved a schedule change).
I know TIT and attitudes to time are different but when there are signs up all over the city stating that the kick-off time is 18:00!! Grrrr!!
And what about new fans that may have seen the adverts or heard them on the radio?  Are they likely to go again after travelling the not inconsiderable distance to the stadium only to be told on arrival that the match has already finished?
The next two home games are due to be played on Sundays, which is fine for me whatever the kick-off time.
p.s attendance was 258, about 100 less than might have been expected. Good idea that: chopping 25-30% off your major revenue stream for no good reason!

[SriRachaShark]

Not wishing to make light of your situation, Vinnie, but is there a possibility that Korat also failed to inform the opposition of the time change?

I mean 8-0 does suggest that they may not have turned up until midway through the second half ; ) There IS method in their madness ; )

[Vinnie]

   Roiet are bottom of the table. There was always a chance results like this could happen in a new division, with new teams just thrown together. One of our players scored a double hat trick!

[Limbo]

It was an exciting match, even if the final score might suggest that is was an 'easy cake'. Though the first ball was netted in the fifth minute the players of Pit'lok were certainly not disencouraged by it. On the contrary one might say.
They really showed what they are worth and this in a ver impressive way.
A couple of times the supporters of Chiang Rai United FC were holding their breath while their Pit'lokian colleagues went 'on air' roaring their throats! Accoustically the first half Pit'lok dominated.

It took fifteen minutes into the second half before a miraculous second goal gave them the feeling of relief they waited so many anxious minutes for. Twenty minutes later the final verdict was executed: 0 - 3 !
Though it was still a long trip by bus (the team arrived at 4 o'clock in the morning in Chiang Rai), the mood was great!

The best thing that could happen for Phrae coming Sunday is that the players of Chiang Rai are entering the pitch convinced of their superiority if not even invincibility.
That's, as far as I see it, the only threat this time (Phrae had only 1 point after four games. They played last weekend against Chainat, but I don't know the result).

So coming Sunday, May 24 at the stadium of Phrae (5 o'clock afternoon) the players of Phrae have the extremely difficult, if not impossible and certainly unrewarding task to try to stop the unstoppable victory march of Chiang Rai United FC.
We admire their courage and bravery, but at the same time we feel a little bit sorry for them. We wouldn't like to be in their shoes, would we?
But, my dear friends, keep concentrated, because, as Johan Cruijff, one of the greatest ever, once noticed: "the ball is round, it can roll in any direction!"

Thanks Albert Kodjo, for the information about the match in Pit'lok.
Albert Kodjo, once playing in Togo in the same team as Arsenal player Emmanuel Adebayor, is the physical coach of the Chiang Rai team.
On the picture we see him together with assistent coach TS.

Limbo 

 Reduced 75%
 
800 x 600 (229.04K)

[Vinnie]

Another weekend, another convincing victory. This time 4-1 away from home against a side that scored five themselves last week! Lead at the top extended to six points thanks to Chaiyaphum holding Udon 2-2.
Just for the record, Roiet conceded eight for the second time in a week! This time 1-8 at home to Nakhon Phanom.

[SriRachaShark]

Another weekend, another convincing victory. This time 4-1 away from home against a side that scored five themselves last week! Lead at the top extended to six points thanks to Chaiyaphum holding Udon 2-2.
Just for the record, Roiet conceded eight for the second time in a week! This time 1-8 at home to Nakhon Phanom.

Excellent result. Let's hope that the marketing dept. get it right in time for the next home game and you attract a crowd worthy of a side at the top of the league.

I'm hoping to get up for one of the home games in July.

[Vinnie]

Only one home game scheduled for July and that's a derby against Buriram on the 11th. However, I'll also be travelling to Surin for our game there on the 19th.

[Vinnie]

One of our strikers has scored 13 goals in 6 games. He was just a triallist that had never played league football before, too.  Don't tell any TPL teams, though! We need him! 

[Vinnie]

Another weekend, another convincing victory. This time 4-1 away from home against a side that scored five themselves last week! Lead at the top extended to six points thanks to Chaiyaphum holding Udon 2-2.
Just for the record, Roiet conceded eight for the second time in a week! This time 1-8 at home to Nakhon Phanom.

Excellent result. Let's hope that the marketing dept. get it right in time for the next home game and you attract a crowd worthy of a side at the top of the league.

I'm hoping to get up for one of the home games in July.

There's hope. The club are putting on free buses from prominent city centre locations to the stadium and back on Sunday. There has also been organised away travel for the past two away days; the first season that there has been such a service.

[SriRachaShark]

Original post by Vinnie

Korat 3-3 Mukdahan

I finally get to a game and we drop points at home for the first time this season! A lot of credit to Mukdahan though who played an open game throughout. I was worried that they would just put ten men behind the ball all match and try to hold out for a draw but I guess they figured they would go for broke and play their normal game rather than put themselves under 90 minutes of attacking pressure. It was 0-0 at half-time. Korat were clearly the better side but were struggling to create clear-cut chances and there was some sloppiness in defence and a few too many stray passes. Mukdahan took the lead within thirty seconds of the restart and Korat had been woken from their slumbers.
Now I was really worried that Mukdahan would play negatively: 1-0 up away from home against the league leaders is a typical breeding ground for feigning injury, time-wasting etc but there was none of that which was pleasing.
Soon after the Mukdahan opener, Korat got back on terms and then took the lead soon after that. Two goals in a three minute spell. Most people in the stadium would have thought that Korat would go on and finish Mukdahan off but they came back and a great individual goal was scored as the Mukdahan attacker wove his way into the area and drilled the ball home.
Well, Mukdahan made it to eighty minutes playing fairly but they just couldn't help themselves. Four of their players feigned injury in the final ten minutes. In one instance two players were simultaneously faking! The stretcher bearers ran to one prone player but he soon got up so they then ran to the other prone player but he got up too!
Korat re-took the lead towards the end of normal time (3-2) and I must confess to hypocrisy because when a Korat player pretended to be injured I, along with many other fans, gave a mighty cheer as the Mukdahan players reaped what they had sown.
But I'm afraid the old saying that 'cheats never prosper' didn't ring true last night. Because of all the Mukdahan fakery there was seven minutes of 'injury' time and in about the fifth or sixth minute of added-on time Mukdahan scored their equaliser.
A draw was probably a fair result though and plenty of entertainment for 40 baht! We're now four points clear but this could be a very helpful result for us as it should ward off any further complacency. I fully expect Korat to return to winning ways when they host Surin next Sunday.

After much publicity and promotion for the past two weeks, yesterday's attendance topped the 1,000 mark. Compare that with the 258 who turned up for the last home game.

[SriRachaShark]

Original post by Vinnie

Korat 3-3 Mukdahan

I finally get to a game and we drop points at home for the first time this season! A lot of credit to Mukdahan though who played an open game throughout. I was worried that they would just put ten men behind the ball all match and try to hold out for a draw but I guess they figured they would go for broke and play their normal game rather than put themselves under 90 minutes of attacking pressure. It was 0-0 at half-time. Korat were clearly the better side but were struggling to create clear-cut chances and there was some sloppiness in defence and a few too many stray passes. Mukdahan took the lead within thirty seconds of the restart and Korat had been woken from their slumbers.
Now I was really worried that Mukdahan would play negatively: 1-0 up away from home against the league leaders is a typical breeding ground for feigning injury, time-wasting etc but there was none of that which was pleasing.
Soon after the Mukdahan opener, Korat got back on terms and then took the lead soon after that. Two goals in a three minute spell. Most people in the stadium would have thought that Korat would go on and finish Mukdahan off but they came back and a great individual goal was scored as the Mukdahan attacker wove his way into the area and drilled the ball home.
Well, Mukdahan made it to eighty minutes playing fairly but they just couldn't help themselves. Four of their players feigned injury in the final ten minutes. In one instance two players were simultaneously faking! The stretcher bearers ran to one prone player but he soon got up so they then ran to the other prone player but he got up too!
Korat re-took the lead towards the end of normal time (3-2) and I must confess to hypocrisy because when a Korat player pretended to be injured I, along with many other fans, gave a mighty cheer as the Mukdahan players reaped what they had sown.
But I'm afraid the old saying that 'cheats never prosper' didn't ring true last night. Because of all the Mukdahan fakery there was seven minutes of 'injury' time and in about the fifth or sixth minute of added-on time Mukdahan scored their equaliser.
A draw was probably a fair result though and plenty of entertainment for 40 baht! We're now four points clear but this could be a very helpful result for us as it should ward off any further complacency. I fully expect Korat to return to winning ways when they host Surin next Sunday.

After much publicity and promotion for the past two weeks, yesterday's attendance topped the 1,000 mark. Compare that with the 258 who turned up for the last home game.

Thanks for the report. It certainly seems like the match had everything. Except for the right result.

Good to see that Korat's management have started to lay on buses and promote the games properly. Also good to see the locals finally turning out in some numbers. Let's hope it continues.

[Vinnie]

Korat 0-0 Surin

Is this a crisis or just a dodgy spell that every table-topping team goes through? The jury is out. We'll probably have more answers after the next two matches which on paper look tricky.

As for this match. Another tepid performance. We didn't look really bad but at the same time we were really struggling to create any meaningful chances. We had probably one clear-cut chance all match. It's true that we were missing our most creative midfielder and that the opposition employed the usual time-wasting tactics. But those facts still can't explain another 'nothing' performance. To cap the 'performance' off, we had another red card (our second in two matches - no complaints about the decision) and our leading scorer went off injured.

On the plus side: we're still top of the league and still unbeaten this season. There was another large crowd and the free supporters' bus was packed on the way back to the city centre after the match. Everyone on board was singing, frienships being made, drinks being supped and the result; forgotten. Good times. 

[Nigb]

good to hear that there is more support gathering for Korat. Looking forward to seeing them go up this season.

[Limbo]

Chiang Rai - Petchabun 3 - 2
Of all the pictures I made, only one is of reasonable quality and I am very lucky that it happens to be the picture that shows the first appearance, though still very modest, of The Orange Club, the Thai/foreigners supportersclub.
Alltogether 22 persons, of which 14 foreign residents of Chiang Rai, joined the convoy from Rico's (our supporters home) to the stadium. Everybody enjoyed the game, the drama and the scenery around it.

For many of us couch potatoes it was the first time in many years that we attented a live game. It was a great experience. Quite different from sitting on the couch at home with peanuts and a platoon of the bright yellow ones and, at the highest peak of emotion, maybe remove the right leg from the left and put the left one over the right instead. No, this was completely different. It turned men into boys and women into girls!

Thanks to all who made it possible, the founder/manager, the staff, the fantastic players and all the great Chiang Rai public (I guess much more than thousand people) with who we had the privelige to share this happening.
The acoustic performance of Orange Power, the supportersclub, was a great contribution to the fantastic atmosphere.
Thanks ladies and gentlemen!

I also want to pay a warm tribute to these twenty or more young men from Petchabun, who after the match climbed on an open six-wheel truck to start -after a lost game!- their long journey home. The driver told me that eight hours wouldn't do...
Also thanks to them for coming! They showed a great spirit!

For a football-technical analysis of the game we are waiting for Bradthai, a former Australian professional football player, who towards the end of his career played in Malaysia and Singapore (army team). He is a Fifa licensed coach as well.

Limbo

[Limbo]

Good old Bradthai has problems with his internet connection.
His handwritten (!) analysis of the match has still to be digitalized.

I am very curious what he wrote about the fact that for the second time Chiang Rai
only played offensive the first half.
You would say that the experience in Pit'lok was a warning: 5 - 0 in the first half and
(out of a penalty) only one goal in the second.
Plus that Pit'lok got a lot of space and thus chances.

Now, at 3 - 0, again starting the second half in the defensive mood was quite risky against
Petchabun as they are a team that you can expect to cash in on every chance they get.

The Chiang Rai players started to look at the ball too much and forgot the positioning.
It became painful clear when a player of Chiang Rai was taken of the field for injury treatment
and the team played temporary with ten men.
In less than ten minutes Petchabun scored twice as they got plenty of space on the right.
Nobody moved in, not even the coach reacted on this dangerous situation.

We were very lucky that three minutes after the second goal a Petchabun player lost controle
over the ball in an excellent shooting position, permitting our magnificent goaly to pick up the ball as if it was a mango that had fallen down from a tree.
Otherwise we might have lost two points.

Limbo

[druryfire]

Does anyone know when re-arranged games will be played?

Krabi had a game P-P on the 16th May and there are a few outstanding matchups in the Bangkok region aswell to get in before the 2nd half of the season kick's off.

[Vinnie]

1-1 at Buriram yesterday. Decent result - certainly much better than the recent home draws against poor opposition. A lot of changes made to the starting line-up which was fair enough. Provisionally three points clear again although we're likely to just be leading by goal-difference by the end of today.

[SriRachaShark]

1-1 at Buriram yesterday. Decent result - certainly much better than the recent home draws against poor opposition. A lot of changes made to the starting line-up which was fair enough. Provisionally three points clear again although we're likely to just be leading by goal-difference by the end of today.

I'm still planning to be there for the return match. I know that this is a silly question but............
will it be played on the Saturday or the Sunday?

[Vinnie]

1-1 at Buriram yesterday. Decent result - certainly much better than the recent home draws against poor opposition. A lot of changes made to the starting line-up which was fair enough. Provisionally three points clear again although we're likely to just be leading by goal-difference by the end of today.

I'm still planning to be there for the return match. I know that this is a silly question but............
will it be played on the Saturday or the Sunday?

Still two points clear as Nakhon Phanom held 1-1 by Mukdahan. The match will be on the Saturday.

[Limbo]

These guys are really great!
I admire their dedication, stamina and endurance.
To a great extend it's 'them' that makes the difference during the games of CR.!
Long live the Orange Power!

During the first half, last Saturday in Tak, it seemed as if our men in orange played a sticky ball.
Earlier during the day it had been raining a lot and a great part of the match was played in clouds of drizzle, unwilling to open up and the field
was therefore soaked 'just that little bit too much'.

The football field of the Mae Fah Luang University, the home ground of Chiang Rai United, is well drained. Ten minutes after even a rather heavy rain shower the field will be playable again, but it seemed as if the field in Tak had more problems to get rid of the wet and non-sollicited blessings from above.

It took about 35 minutes for Chiang Rai to glue the ball for the first time against the net behind an excellently keeping goaly of Tak and one minute before the end of the first half Tak managed in its turn to pass our Pansa Meehatam: 1 - 1 .

After tea the team of Chiang Rai seemed to be reborn: in stead of trying to shove the ball to each other in straight passes, of which many times in vain, they put their shoes a little bit further under the leather and lifted it in free flights towards its intended destination. This worked out great and keeping the ball high created the one chance after the other. Only (!) three times the team managed to silver them: After ten minutes the second goal, two minutes later the third and before the match ended the ball sailed for a fourth time behind Tak's goaly: Final result 1 - 4 !

Chiang Rai United wrote history last Saturday: It was the first time that Tak was defeated on its own grounds.
Also Chiang Rai has not been defeated yet at home and coming Saturday it is Kamphaeng Phet's turn to try to achieve where others failed.

Next match: Coming Saturday June 13 at 6 o'clock, in the Mae Fah Luang University Sports Stadium.

For transport and car-pooling please come to Rico's opposite the Condotel before five! Last time we reduced the number of cars from nine to four.

Limbo

[Vinnie]

KORAT 3-1 Udon Thani
After three consecutive draws the question being asked at the SEA Games Stadium was, is this just a blip or are Korat in terminal decline. A decisive answer was supplied thanks to a dominant performance from the hosts.
The first half was one of the most one-sided I've seen in a long time. Korat played genuinely great football: one-touch passing, great movement, clever passes, carving open the Udon defence at will. How was this the same side that put in such a forgettable, feeble performance against Surin just two weeks ago? Football being football Udon duly took the lead!! Korat weren't to be distracted from their task though. The attacking continued and Cameroonian Serge 'Gabby' Gabriel nodded in shortly before the break. Just 1-1 at half-time, scant reward for such a performance but fans weren't concerned as surely Korat would run out easy winners if they maintained the same level of performance in the second half...

Korat did indeed pick up where they left off as the second period got under way but as Udon launched a rare counter-attack, a visiting attacker found himself running clear into a one-on-one with Korat goalie Yongyuth. Said attacker was being closely pursued by defender Phanomkorn who had a decision to make: "do I play it honest, let the player run clear and go 2-1 down or do I hack the player down before he reaches the penalty area, I get sent-off but the score is still 1-1 and Udon only have a free-kick?" Phanomkorn took the latter option. Cynical, true. But history will show he made the right decision. I still wasn't that concerned. We had so totally dominated Udon when we had eleven men on the pitch that  ten against eleven would perhaps just make for a more even game. For a while that seemed to be the case but as the match wore on the man advantage started to tell and Udon were looking threatening. Keeper Yongyuth made some truly great saves, a man of the match contender. With about ten minutes to go, and against the run of play, Korat went 2-1 up thanks to substitute Somporn. Spark scenes of delirium in the stands as Korat looked to pull off a famous victory. Coach Man Jantanarm, obviously a keen reader of 'Hackneyed Football Tactics 101' pulled off one of Korat's two attackers, brought on a defender and invited sh1t loads of pressure on his defence for the final ten minutes. Udon threw everything at Korat but couldn't find a way through. Instead it was Korat who made the win secure with an injury-time goal. Attacker Promphong turned the last defender on the half-way line and headed towards goal. He had a lot of time, perhaps too much time, to think about what he was going to do but made no mistake as he slotted home. The relief and delight was etched on every face.

This match was an utter classic. Seriously. It had absolutely everything. 40 baht to get in. I kid you not, it would have been a bargain if it was 4000 baht. Going up!! There, I said it!

[thai in notts]

Great report Vinnie, wish I could have been there.

[Vinnie]

Exciting transfer news at Korat... www.clubwebsite.co.uk/koratfc

[SriRachaShark]

Exciting transfer news at Korat... www.clubwebsite.co.uk/koratfc

And Ian Rush to follow. Exciting times indeed for the Swat Cats ; )

[Vinnie]

There were details about the promotion situation at the game on Saturday. With my very limited Thai reading ability I can't be sure of what I read but it looked like there will be a mini-league comprising the five champions with the top three going up to Division One. This 'league' will run from late September to late November. I still think it's a disgrace that two of the five champions will be denied promotion but the FAT have backed themselves into this corner with their complete lack of foresight.

[Vinnie]

Great report Vinnie, wish I could have been there.

Good to see you are still keeping track of Korat. Not often I come away after a Thai league match with the feeling that I have witnessed a true classic but that is exactly how I felt on Saturday evening.

[SriRachaShark]

There were details about the promotion situation at the game on Saturday. With my very limited Thai reading ability I can't be sure of what I read but it looked like there will be a mini-league comprising the five champions with the top three going up to Division One. This 'league' will run from late September to late November. I still think it's a disgrace that two of the five champions will be denied promotion but the FAT have backed themselves into this corner with their complete lack of foresight.

I well remember the first season of the play-offs in England. Oldham were never out of the top three all year which previously would have meant automatic promotion to the old First Division. However, finishing third, we had to play L**ds in a two legged semi final with the winners meeting Charlton, who finished third from bottom in Division One, for the right to compete with the "big boys".

We lost the first game at Elland Rd to a last minute goal by K*ith Edw*rds. In the return we were 2-0 up in the dying seconds when Edw*rds scored again to knock us out on away goals. Sickening!!

I hope Korat have better luck in the lottery of the 5 team league.