Thailand Division 2 Thread

[Félix]

vinnie, i read from thailandsusu that David Lebras contact you?! To go to Korat FC? Is it true?

[Vinnie]

It is true that he wants to play for Korat FC, I guess it just depends on whether Korat want to sign him. Look at Reply #195 on page 4 of this thread.

[druryfire]

Gents, can anyone help me.

I'm trying to find out the results for the following:

Bangkok Regional League, dates 20th June, 4th July, 5th July, 11th July

About 9 matches in total, can anyone help!

[Nigb]

Is there any relegation from Division 2 into Pro Leagues?

got this from FAT, hope it helps

20th June
Rachapracha  2 - 2  North Bangkok Coll
 4th July
Kasetsart 1 - 2  North Bangkok Coll
Rachapracha 1 - 1  Bangkok Bravo
Sarawithia  0 - 1  Rangsit Uni
  July 5
Bangkok Christian  3 - 0  Rachavithi
Kasem Bundit  0 - 0  Rachaphat Nakhon Sawan
10th July 
Rangsit Uni  1 - 0  Bangkok Christian
11th July
Bangkok Bravo  0 - 2  Kasembundit
Rachavithi 1 - 1 Rachapracha
North Bangkok Coll 3 - 1  Sarawithia

[druryfire]

I'm not sure about relegation.

I think at the beginning of the season, there were a few clubs who wanted to be in the Pro League that didn't make the cut - so i guess they will want to be included at some point.

I guess each league wants to have about 12 clubs, so South League needs a push for clubs.

And then, come the end of the season, we may see some drop out, the clubs that are really struggling such as Tak and Roi Et - just how long will they stay around if they continue to struggle? It's all well have the numbers in the Divison, but surely it doesn't help progress the leagues if we have the 8-0 and 7-0 results?

[Vinnie]

KORAT 0-0 BURIRAM

A uninspired performance from Korat in front of their biggest crowd of the season. I'll just give a brief account of the match as I'm not blessed with SRS's remarkable powers of recall, and I want to get onto the main talking point of the match; the extraordinary performance by the referee.

Korat played goal-machine Promphong on his own up front; a tactic that coach Man Jantanarm is unlikely to repeat this season. Three Buriram defenders kept him well shackled throughout the game. Of more concern was the chaotic, uncoordinated, messy defending. Centre backs Uthai Piewgern and Serge Gabriel were two of the biggest culprits although the 'disease' seemed to be spreading faster than H1N1 as Alain Njoya, and the usually reliable Yongyuth in goal, also became infected.

That Korat kept a clean sheet owed more to Buriram's reticence in attack than to any discernible competence from the home defence.

So Korat's lead at the top has been cut to just two points by Loei. Am I worried? Not yet. We've played worse at home (v Surin - a performance that made me want to hammer tent pegs into my eyes) and responded by putting in good performances. Also, Saturday's match was the final one in a four game sequence which I had previously described as our trickiest period of the season. Home and away matches against Udon and Buriram have yielded eight points from a possible twelve. For their last four games, Loei have played mediocre 'Coffee Shop United' twice and comedy side Roiet twice. It was inevitable that they would close a little over this period.

Anyway! Without further ado, as referred to by SRS in the Thai Port thread, the referee!
Whilst the match couldn't be described as 'a game of two halves', the referee's game certainly suffered from a duality which bordered on the schizophrenic.
His first half performance was heroic. The age-old problem of Thai players constantly pretending to be injured in order to break up an attack or to disrupt the opposition's momentum or to just plain time-waste was dealt with so easily and commandingly by the referee that it left one wondering 'Why don't they all do this'? Every time a Buriram player went down, the referee told him to get up. Simple, eh? The stretcher bearers weren't allowed on; the physio wasn't allowed on. The offender was told to get up and the game continued.
This wasn't a breath of fresh air; it was a cleansing hurricane which swept across the pitch and tore down the cynicism, the cheating, the moral corruption which is all too common in the Thai league.

But do not rejoice too soon, for in the second half the ghosts of old possessed the poor referee's soul. The iron-man of the first half had morphed into a kow-towing, simpering, yes-man who indulged the Buriram players' every transparent trick. The stretcher bearers and physio were back in fashion, and I gently wept. The statue which had been hastily erected in his honour alongside Ya-Mo at 17:45 on Satuday evening was torn down by 18:45 like some common Saddam. I personally went down and beat its head with my shoe.

By way of explanation for this most eccentric of officiating displays, I can only imagine that during the half time break, quite without anyone seeing, the referee had a lobotomy. I can't think of any other theory that will cover the facts. And as dear old Sherlock was fond of saying 'When once you have eliminated all that's impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth'.
Anyone else have any theories? Over to you Mr Holmes.

[Vinnie]

I'm not sure about relegation.

I think at the beginning of the season, there were a few clubs who wanted to be in the Pro League that didn't make the cut - so i guess they will want to be included at some point.

I guess each league wants to have about 12 clubs, so South League needs a push for clubs.

And then, come the end of the season, we may see some drop out, the clubs that are really struggling such as Tak and Roi Et - just how long will they stay around if they continue to struggle? It's all well have the numbers in the Divison, but surely it doesn't help progress the leagues if we have the 8-0 and 7-0 results?

Yes, I'd go along with all of this. I was saying on Saturday that I felt that the Regional League was kind of experimental this year. I think come the end of the season we will see teams pull out of the league and new ones enter. I know for a fact that Nong Khai wanted in and still want in, so expect to see them in the Northeast division next season. And Tarutao in the south were intending to enter this season but for whatever reason it never happened.
As you said, with a club like Roiet, are the people there really going to feel like bothering next season? Probably not.

[TPF]

By way of explanation for this most eccentric of officiating displays, I can only imagine that during the half time break, quite without anyone seeing, the referee had a lobotomy. I can't think of any other theory that will cover the facts. And as dear old Sherlock was fond of saying 'When once you have eliminated all that's impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth'.
Anyone else have any theories? Over to you Mr Holmes.

That does seem very odd! Has he got a more leniant twin brother, who fancied refereeing the second half?? 

[Félix]

David Lebras sign with US Genève (Switzerland league 3) for 1 year. But he can leave the team in december if he wants. He tells about his son to the staff.

[Vinnie]

Indeed. I put this story on my website yesterday www.clubwebsite.co.uk/koratfc

[SriRachaShark]

By way of explanation for this most eccentric of officiating displays, I can only imagine that during the half time break, quite without anyone seeing, the referee had a lobotomy. I can't think of any other theory that will cover the facts. And as dear old Sherlock was fond of saying 'When once you have eliminated all that's impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth'.
Anyone else have any theories? Over to you Mr Holmes.

That does seem very odd! Has he got a more leniant twin brother, who fancied refereeing the second half?? 

The lobotomy and twin brother theories are both feasible. However, I'm rather inclined to believe that someone "had a word" at half time. It really was a remarkable turnaround. I've never seen anything like it. He was even waving the stretcher on for players who were less than a yard away from the touchline.

[Vinnie]

I did consider that someone from Buriram might have paid a visit to the officials' room at half-time. Do you really think that could have happened?

[SriRachaShark]

Surin 0 Korat 1

Did you make it to the match, Vinnie?

[Vinnie]

Opted for a weekend in the country instead. Going to the match would have necessitated me getting up at 5 am, so I knocked it on the head!
Great result, though. I was concerned about yesterday's match; Surin were unbeaten in six in the league, a run which included an amazing 6-1 win over Nakhon Phanom. So any kind of victory yesterday was welcome.
Result of the weekend though goes to Roiet who won their first game of the season at the 14th time of asking. A 1-0 win away at Sakhon Nakhon moves them onto four points.

[Vinnie]

Photos from Sunday's match http://www.thailandsusu.com/webboard/index.php?topic=60249.msg788154;topicseen#new

[SriRachaShark]

Opted for a weekend in the country instead. Going to the match would have necessitated me getting up at 5 am, so I knocked it on the head!
Great result, though. I was concerned about yesterday's match; Surin were unbeaten in six in the league, a run which included an amazing 6-1 win over Nakhon Phanom. So any kind of victory yesterday was welcome.
Result of the weekend though goes to Roiet who won their first game of the season at the 14th time of asking. A 1-0 win away at Sakhon Nakhon moves them onto four points.

Bloody part-timer ; )

Having seen a number of 1st division teams play over the last few weeks, I don't think that you'll have too many problems next season. You've already proved that you can compete by beating the Army.

Fingers crossed for a good cup draw : )

[Vinnie]

Bloody part-timer ; )

Having seen a number of 1st division teams play over the last few weeks, I don't think that you'll have too many problems next season. You've already proved that you can compete by beating the Army.

Fingers crossed for a good cup draw : )

Also, Songkhla and Prachinburi who were in the same division as us last season, seem to be coping with life in Div1 and there wasn't much between us and them last year. In fact, we did the double over Songkhla.
We're now on 32 points after 14 matches. Last year we accrued 31 points from our 20 matches. Our next three games are very winnable: Mukahan away; Mahasarakham at home; Roiet away, and then it's the home match against Loei - a possible title decider - with my family here to see it!

As for the cup...after casting aspertions on Pattaya School 8's right to be in the competition, I'm now just hoping we avoid them!

[Vinnie]

Mukdahan 2-2 Korat

The long journey to Laos - respect to the 30-odd Korat fans who made the journey - yielded a predictable point. Despite being second-bottom Mukdahan always draw with the top sides. If they put in the same performances against the teams around them they would be there or thereabouts themselves. We are still top but only on goal-difference as Loei stretched their winning streak to five matches with a impressive 2-0 defeat of Udon.

I'm still not concerned, yet. But August is the crucial month for us. We play five matches next month; four of which look very winnable. Home games against Mahasarakham and Sakhon Nakhon and an away trip to Roiet should produce nine points. If they don't, we don't deserve to be champions. An away trip to Chaiyaphum is a little trickier as The Cranes know how to draw matches but they've only won three this season. Which only leaves...Loei. They visit the SEA Games Stadium on 16th August. We have to be targetting 12-15 points next month. Squeaky bum time, indeed.

[TPF]

Mukdahan 2-2 Korat

The long journey to Laos - respect to the 30-odd Korat fans who made the journey - yielded a predictable point. Despite being second-bottom Mukdahan always draw with the top sides. If they put in the same performances against the teams around them they would be there or thereabouts themselves. We are still top but only on goal-difference as Loei stretched their winning streak to five matches with a impressive 2-0 defeat of Udon.

I'm still not concerned, yet. But August is the crucial month for us. We play five matches next month; four of which look very winnable. Home games against Mahasarakham and Sakhon Nakhon and an away trip to Roiet should produce nine points. If they don't, we don't deserve to be champions. An away trip to Chaiyaphum is a little trickier as The Cranes know how to draw matches but they've only won three this season. Which only leaves...Loei. They visit the SEA Games Stadium on 16th August. We have to be targetting 12-15 points next month. Squeaky bum time, indeed.

Reading your report, has made me wish i'd found out about the Thai Leagues a bit sooner. I visited a lot places in Isaan while I was in Thailand, but I was totally oblivious to the fact they all had league teams .  I stayed in Korat for about 8 or 9 days before, during and after the Songkran holiday. Did they have any fixtures around that time?

The only game I went to up in Isaan, was Khon Kaen vs Police and the only reason I knew about that match was because I met the Khon Kaen team in the City whilst I was wandering around taking photo's  . 

[Vinnie]

We had home games against Ubon on the 5th April and Chaiyaphum on the 25th. Following a lower league team is a great way to see the country - if only I had the time. Last year we were in the same division as Chiang Mai, Narathiwat, Satun and Songkhla!

[SriRachaShark]

Following any team is a great way to see a country. Most of my travels in the UK have been to watch Oldham. I was dragged around by my parents from a very young age and kept up the habit on my own until the day I left to come to Thailand.

At one time I was an expert on train timetables and the 'A' roads,'B' roads and motorways of England.

Supporting Chonburi has also taken me to places that otherwise I probably never would have visited.

[TPF]

Supporting Chonburi has also taken me to places that otherwise I probably never would have visited

Yeah...like deepest darkest Khlong Toei 

[TPF]

We had home games against Ubon on the 5th April and Chaiyaphum on the 25th. Following a lower league team is a great way to see the country - if only I had the time. Last year we were in the same division as Chiang Mai, Narathiwat, Satun and Songkhla!

I dont think I arrived in Korat until about the 7th or 8th, so I would have missed those games anyway.

I certainly wouldn't fancy the journey from Chiang Mai to Narathiwat!

[lokomotive]

I came to Thailand the first time in 2001. I just regocnized a that there is a local league 2 years ago I wished I could had get notice of thai football more eaerlier. But informations, as we already had discussed, had been very rare.

And yes, follow your club, or simply groundhopping, can always bring you to intersting places. You always can combine your passion with visiting other countries or citys. That's simply a great combination. At least for me.

[Vinnie]

I certainly wouldn't fancy the journey from Chiang Mai to Narathiwat!

2200 mile round trip.

[SriRachaShark]

On a serious note, this is one of the major problems faced by the football league in Thailand. The distances involved in certain fixtures could be a problem to some clubs.

[druryfire]

On a serious note, this is one of the major problems faced by the football league in Thailand. The distances involved in certain fixtures could be a problem to some clubs.

Thank god for regional football.

But seriously, the nature of the TPL will always be based in and around the very close provinces until some teams can really get the funding behind them.

But one thing that still does amaze me, is that the 1st Division is sending teams down south to Surat Thani and Songkhla in double headers on a Sat/Sun and Midweek games. Quite what their day job employers think is beyond me.

But with two southern teams being in the 1st Division, it really does give the current South League teams, such as Narathiwat and Satun the incentive to push on. But plenty of money has to be there for this to happen, if not, it could just kill them off.

[Vinnie]

Some ineresting results from Div 2 yesterday:
North: Tak 2 - 10 Chainat

Issan: Sakhon Nakhon 1 - 7 Loei

Loei go provisionally top. We have to win by four clear goals today to reclaim top spot.

[druryfire]

It's certainly hotting up at this level.

With 4 games reamining in the pro-BKK league, we have a two horse race between Raj Pracha and Kasem Bundit

In the North East, with 6 games remaining, we have Loei and Korat matching each other

In the Central East, again with 6 games remaining, we have Ayutthaya and Samut Prakan neck and neck

The same is happening in the South, with Narathiwat and Satun joint level.

Only the Northern league seemed to be over at a canter.

Things are certainly looking good between the top teams.

Vinnie, how do you see things in Korat? Are the locals talking about the game, how has it changed from this season to last?

[Vinnie]

Vinnie, how do you see things in Korat? Are the locals talking about the game, how has it changed from this season to last?

Well, the obvious change, as is the case at many clubs this season, has been attendances. We were averaging 300-350 last season. We're now getting 1,000-1,500. Still not great considering the size of the city, but we're getting there. The problem was awareness; people simply didn't know a club existed, but a concerted advertising campaign this year has addressed that problem. To prove the point, at last night's match I was sitting next to a native Koratian. Born in the city, lived in the city all his life, goes to university in the city; only found out two weeks ago that a team representing his home town existed. Now he knows, he'll attend every home game.

On the pitch, it's just too close to call. We're not playing as well as we were at the start of the season, but it would have been too much to hope for that we could have maintained that sort of level of performance all season. We've dropped to second on goal difference (Loei +25, Korat +23) but we should be able to turn that statistic around next week when we play Roiet. Based on the run-ins, we're probably narrow favourites to win the division, but Loei are the form side on the pitch. Too close to call.
I'll post a full report on yesterday's match later, probably tomorrow.

[SriRachaShark]

"To prove the point, at last night's match I was sitting next to a native Koratian. Born in the city, lived in the city all his life, goes to university in the city; only found out two weeks ago that a team representing his home town existed."

That doesn't say much for the city's education system ; )

"Now he knows, he'll attend every home game."

And, hopefully drag a few mates along.


I'd love to be there for the match against Loei but Chonburi play TOT on the same day.

[Vinnie]

I'd love to be there for the match against Loei but Chonburi play TOT on the same day.

It's gonna be huge. Nervous already, and my family will be there to see it, too! 

[SriRachaShark]

I'd love to be there for the match against Loei but Chonburi play TOT on the same day.

It's gonna be huge. Nervous already, and my family will be there to see it, too! 

Have a strawberry milkshake. That'll calm your nerves ; )

[Vinnie]

KORAT 2-1 MAHASARAKHAM

An understrength Korat side took to the pitch on Sunday evening in the knowledge that they had been knocked from the top spot by Loei after ten consecutive matchdays looking down on the rest. Only a win by a four-goal margin or more would see the home side return to the summit.

Promphong was serving a ban and winger Boonyarit was injured. Regulars Atorn, Jiranawut and Surachet were all on the bench. Whether this was squad rotation or whether the coach was chancing his arm that this depleted side could get the job done against supposedly inferior opposition is unclear. But either way it was a policy that came so close to costing Korat dearly.

Less-than-potent strikers Prasitchai and Kongnatee were entrusted with goal-scoring duties. New signing Joseph Duodu was playing on the left. Central defensive stalwart and club captain Kitti Soraro was moved from central defence to central midfield for the first time this season, and the relatively untried Somyod was at right back. Hmm.

Mahasarakham nearly took the lead after just five minutes. The ball was whipped in from the right and a visting striker saw his header come back off the bar. There followed the kind of first-half performance that Korat fans have had to get used to of late; a dearth of creativity, and the lack of a cutting edge in particular, combined with an unadventurous away side, made for a most unedifying spectacle. The only time the visitors got forward was when Korat gave the ball to them; something which happened with alarming regularity. On a few occasions decent crosses were put into the box courtesy of Worawit on the right and Joseph on the left, but it was no surprise when those 'leading' the attack failed to make the most of these opportunities. On 35 minutes Worawit cut the ball back to Kongnatee who dragged a powerless effort wide from ten yards. It was the finish of a player who doesn't back himself to score; how different from Korat's talismanic number nine. This miss was to prove particularly costly as the visitors went straight up the other end and opened the scoring. The opposition striker having the easiest of tap-ins after goalkeeper Yongyuth failed to hold onto the ball. Korat were a mess from front to back. It should have been 0-2 after 40 mins but this time the goalscorer somehow poked wide from a few yards out with the goal at his mercy. A major let-off.

0-1 at half time and the coach had to make changes. Central defender Serge Gabriel was replaced by central midfielder Surachet with Kitti Soraro moving back into the heart of defence, and Worawit was replaced by Atorn. Worawit had been one of the better players but it was good to see Atorn on. Why right-back Somyod wasn't replaced is beyond my powers of explanation.

The substitutions had done the trick, though and Korat were a side transformed. In a rip-roaring 20 minute spell they attacked the Issan Tigers relentlessly. The reward came on 65 minutes when the always impressive Atorn slotted the ball home when Mahasarakham failed to clear. It should have been 2-1 shortly after but striker Prasitchai headed straight at the keeper from six yards out from a Kongnatee cross. Mahasarakham nearly retook the lead in a freakish manner with ten minutes to go. Defender Uthai cleared the ball only for it to rebound off of one of his teamates and straight into the path of an opposition attacker. The shock of having this golden opportunity thrust upon him must have been too much for the attacker as he blew his big moment, blazing wide from eight yards with only the goalkeeper to beat.

The match seemed to be heading for a draw but Korat seemed to show fresh impetus when the fourth official revealed that there would be five minutes of injury-time. And it was in the fourth of these five that defender Uthai prodded past the advancing keeper, the ball just went in off the far post. Cue scenes of shock, delirium and delight in the stands as Korat, possibly, saved their season.

Ref watch: Poor. Gave free-kicks for even the slightest of contact and indulged the Mahasarakham players' gamesmanship - see below.

Stretcher count: Drum roll........................wait for it...............Korat 0......Mahasarakham.....................9!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's 4 in the first half and five in the second half. However, this transparent cheating directly caused them to lose the game. If they hadn't pretended to be hurt there would have just been a token minute or two of added-on time and we wouldn't have scored our 94th minute winner. Ye shall reap what ye sow. Ha-ha-ha.

[Vinnie]

http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/index.asp?id=7623

Heartbreaking, isn't it? Their 16,000 fans must be very disappointed. 

[SriRachaShark]

http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/index.asp?id=7623

Heartbreaking, isn't it? Their 16,000 fans must be very disappointed. 

It's not quite going to plan, is it?


http://www.thaifootball.com/webboard/index.php?topic=173.0

[TPF]

Stretcher count: Drum roll..............wait for it...............Korat 0 Mahasarakham 9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That's 4 in the first half and five in the second half. However, this transparent cheating directly caused them to lose the game. If they hadn't pretended to be hurt there would have just been a token minute or two of added-on time and we wouldn't have scored our 94th minute winner. Ye shall reap what ye sow. Ha-ha-ha.

 

The same thing happened when Thai Port played Nakhon Prathom earlier in the season. Our equalizer five minutes into "injury  :" time was very satisfying!

[Vinnie]

That said, it can work both ways. Earlier this season, we were playing at home to Mukdahan. They scored an equaliser to make it 2-2 after 80 mins. No surprises that the stretcher was on half a dozen times in the last ten mins. We retook the lead on 90 to make it 3-2. Because of all their theatrics there was 5 or 6 mins of injury time, and in the final minute of added on time they scored another equaliser, 3-3. Sickening.

[druryfire]

Nigb's site is claiming that Ubon United have withdrawn from the league.

Will games not currently played be awarded or will all results be nulled?

[Vinnie]

I saw the incident and heard about this story but there's got to be more to this. I reckon they've 'done their dough'. It seems strange that this club that was launched to such fanfare and had invested so much money, should do something as drastic as withdraw from the league. 

[Vinnie]

Their match against Udon is still being advertised on their website www.ubonunited.com

[Nigb]

I don't know if anyone is qualified to answer this, but how do you think the standard differs between the 5 regions? Is it possible that the north is the weakest and thats why Chiang Rai do so well.

[Vinnie]

Impossible to say really. Although we did play Chainat (currently third) from the Northern division in the FA Cup preliminary round and they took us to penalties.
Have you got any more details about this Ubon situation nigb?

[Nigb]

there is an article about it here - http://www.dailynews.co.th/newstartpage/index.cfm?page=content&categoryId=282&contentID=12563

It seems they have had problems with the FAT for a while, mostly about lack of support and fixing current problems. they want to start a new league which will include Loei, Chaiyaphum, Udon Thani, Pattani and Phichit (not sure if these are the same teams in Div 2) but they reckon many clubs in Div 2 are unhappy with the FAT.

[Vinnie]

The last thing we need are rival leagues, as we had in the past. That said, if Loei want to go then we'll definitely be champions!!

[SriRachaShark]

there is an article about it here - http://www.dailynews.co.th/newstartpage/index.cfm?page=content&categoryId=282&contentID=12563

It seems they have had problems with the FAT for a while, mostly about lack of support and fixing current problems. they want to start a new league which will include Loei, Chaiyaphum, Udon Thani, Pattani and Phichit (not sure if these are the same teams in Div 2) but they reckon many clubs in Div 2 are unhappy with the FAT.

I can understand their frustrations, and the alleged unhappiness at other clubs, re FAT. The Football Association do seem to be sending out some mixed messages at the moment. As the sport's governing body they have a duty to ALL the clubs. However, they seem to be favouring certain teams and the TPL is obviously their priority.

They really need to act quickly to smooth over this problem and assure teams that they will treat everyone the same. As Vinnie says, the last thing we need is rival leagues again. This is all down to being able to manage things properly. They've clearly been taken by surprise by the surge in interest and seem to be struggling with how to cope.

[Vinnie]

Although my Thai reading is coming along, I'm still a long way from being able to read large articles like this. Can any of you wonderful, wonderful  Thai readers expand a little on Ubon's grievances? And have they formally withdrawn or is it just a threat?

[lokomotive]

Although my Thai reading is coming along, I'm still a long way from being able to read large articles like this. Can any of you wonderful, wonderful  Thai readers expand a little on Ubon's grievances? And have they formally withdrawn or is it just a threat?

I would appreciate a translation as well.

[SriRachaShark]

Although my Thai reading is coming along, I'm still a long way from being able to read large articles like this. Can any of you wonderful, wonderful  Thai readers expand a little on Ubon's grievances? And have they formally withdrawn or is it just a threat?

Something to do with sub-standard coffee, I think ; )

[SriRachaShark]

Play off dates.

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/koratfc/club_news.pl?id=187726