Thailand Division 2 Thread

[BKK73]

How do they work out the best two 3rd placed teams? If it's on points that would mean Pichit (north region) and the 3rd placed team in the central region. It's impossible for the 3rd placed team in the north-eastern region to get more points than the north or central leagues.

However it would seem unfair if it is based on points as the north, north-eastern and central leagues play 30 games while the south and Bangkok regions only play 24 games. I suppose the counter argument is that the leagues playing 30 games have more teams and hence it's more difficult to finish in the top 2.

[Vinnie]

How do they work out the best two 3rd placed teams? If it's on points that would mean Pichit (north region) and the 3rd placed team in the central region. It's impossible for the 3rd placed team in the north-eastern region to get more points than the north or central leagues.

However it would seem unfair if it is based on points as the north, north-eastern and central leagues play 30 games while the south and Bangkok regions only play 24 games. I suppose the counter argument is that the leagues playing 30 games have more teams and hence it's more difficult to finish in the top 2.

It's just the two best third place teams out of the 16-team divisions. Top two only from BKK and South.

[BKK73]

I went to watch North Bkk Uni v Bangkok this afternoon. North Bkk scored after 2 mins and then the next hour or so was spent with the stretcher boys running on to the pitch to carry off injured North Central players. Once Bangkok equalized with 20 mins left, the stretcher boys were then coming on to carry off Bangkok players. It's amazing how many injuries occur when a team is in a positive position. Yawn!!

From what i saw today, I don't fancy Bangkok's chance of going up via the play-offs.

[wolfman]

Nth Bangkok drew 1-1 with Bangkok FC, and Nonthaburi beat Rachawiti 4-3. Regardless of whether they use head-to-head or goal difference to decide 2nd place, Rangsit U will go into the mini Champions' League with champions Bangkok FC.

We now have all 12 teams, but final positions (and therefore mini-league groupings) will not be confirmed until the Northeast, and Central & Eastern leagues play their games tomorrow.

[druryfire]

Well, it came down to head to head to decide the Bangkok league. Rangsit came out on top which was probably for the best as they also had the better GD.

Bangkok league is always tough, hopefully another toughie next year.

It will be interesting to see how Bangkok and Rangsit get on in the playoffs especially with long travels on the agenda.

[druryfire]

Big days for the Central-East and North-East tomorrow (19th).

Can Loei and Samut Prakarn become the first teams to win the double in RL football? Loei just pipped Korat last year and to be crowned champs this year they meet them again.

In the Central East we are looking for a winner from 3. Are these teams interested in being crowned champs or playing for position?

[the_englishman]

So near yet so far! Well done Nonthaburi. If only we hadn't had that little slump in mid-season, we would have won the league.

Still, we did very well in our debut season and should be even stronger next season providing the phuu yai still has interest.

[druryfire]

If only we hadn't had that little slump in mid-season, we would have won the league.

Oh Greg, anyone team in that league could have said that. Look at Rajvithi. They came 4th when it did look easier at one point to win the whole thing.

Next years league could be harder with the expected arrival of RBAC and possibly Thai Honda.

[druryfire]

Rose Asia Pathum Thani, Thai football's worst team?

In 2009 they came bottom of the Central/East Division.
2010 came bottom of the Bangkok Division.

[the_englishman]

If only we hadn't had that little slump in mid-season, we would have won the league.

Oh Greg, anyone team in that league could have said that. Look at Rajvithi. They came 4th when it did look easier at one point to win the whole thing.

Next years league could be harder with the expected arrival of RBAC and possibly Thai Honda.

True, but Nonthaburi were in the top two for some considerable time.

Next year will be interesting but as I said, as long as our patron keeps his interest then I'm confident the club will continue to be well-funded and well-organised. Perhaps with some more players purchased/loaned from the Buriram teams.

[druryfire]

Loei & Saraburi crowned champions today.

[druryfire]

If only we hadn't had that little slump in mid-season, we would have won the league.

Oh Greg, anyone team in that league could have said that. Look at Rajvithi. They came 4th when it did look easier at one point to win the whole thing.

Next years league could be harder with the expected arrival of RBAC and possibly Thai Honda.

True, but Nonthaburi were in the top two for some considerable time.

Next year will be interesting but as I said, as long as our patron keeps his interest then I'm confident the club will continue to be well-funded and well-organised. Perhaps with some more players purchased/loaned from the Buriram teams.

I agree that Nonthaburi had a great season in what is probably actually the toughest league at RL level. It's never easy for new teams to gel together and add the fact that most teams in the BKK league are seasoned teams aswell, makes it even more of an achievement.

But, at this moment in Thai football, it probably is best that they didn't go up and it keeps Nonthaburi teams at seperate levels, at least for the next few years in my opinion. Last thing we want is the higher leagues being pro Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani.

[lokomotive]

Bangkok FC Champion

[wolfman]

Rose Asia Pathum Thani, Thai football's worst team?

In 2009 they came bottom of the Central/East Division.
2010 came bottom of the Bangkok Division.

How about Sa Kaew? 1 win and 4 draws from 30 games. Though Rose-Asia and North Central run them close (2 wins, 7 draws from 24). The fans of these three clubs ( if they still have any) deserve medals for putting up with that. The positive for Sa Kaew fans they got to see their team get all 7 points at home.

[wolfman]

Working from druryfire's earlier post, the two playoff groups will be:

Group 1
Chiang Mai - 1st North
Saraburi -1st Central & East
Trang - 2nd South
Buriram - 2nd Northeast
Rangsit U - 2nd Bangkok
Phichit - Best 3rd place

Group 2
Chai Nat - 2nd North
Samut Prakan -2nd Central & East
Phuket - 1st South
Loei - 1st Northeast
Bangkok FC - 1st Bangkok
Rayong - Second best 3rd place


The top 2 teams in each group gain promotion to Division 1.

To me, Group 2 looks very strong.

[Vinnie]

Two strange results yesterday in the Notheast Division with Loei losing at our place and buriram losing 5-1!!! at Yasothon. Both teams must have been already thinking about the play-offs.
Loei barely created a chance during the whole ninety minutes and we were down to ten men from the 49th minute and yet still Loei failed to show any real attacking intent. A most odd performance. Despite winning the divison, they've now lost back to back matches. Not the best preparation for the play-offs.

100,000 hits recorded on website! Thanks very much. Report and details from yesterday's match coming later today.

www.clubwebsite.co.uk/koratfc

[wolfman]

Two strange results yesterday in the Notheast Division with Loei losing at our place and buriram losing 5-1!!! at Yasothon. Both teams must have been already thinking about the play-offs.
Loei barely created a chance during the whole ninety minutes and we were down to ten men from the 49th minute and yet still Loei failed to show any real attacking intent. A most odd performance. Despite winning the divison, they've now lost back to back matches. Not the best preparation for the play-offs.

100,000 hits recorded on website! Thanks very much. Report and details from yesterday's match coming later today.

www.clubwebsite.co.uk/koratfc

Congratulations on the 100,000 hits, Vinnie.

I did wonder going into the weekend whether it might be better to finish 2nd in the Northeast, as I think that Loei's group is tougher. Both teams seemed to think the same over the last two weeks, with Loei losing 0-1 twice, and Buriram having a 0-0 draw and a 1-5 loss.

Or maybe they just relaxed after wrapping up the playoff spots.

[SriRachaShark]

I was visitor 100,000 late last night. Do I get a prize?

[Vinnie]

Two strange results yesterday in the Notheast Division with Loei losing at our place and buriram losing 5-1!!! at Yasothon. Both teams must have been already thinking about the play-offs.
Loei barely created a chance during the whole ninety minutes and we were down to ten men from the 49th minute and yet still Loei failed to show any real attacking intent. A most odd performance. Despite winning the divison, they've now lost back to back matches. Not the best preparation for the play-offs.

100,000 hits recorded on website! Thanks very much. Report and details from yesterday's match coming later today.

www.clubwebsite.co.uk/koratfc

Congratulations on the 100,000 hits, Vinnie.

I did wonder going into the weekend whether it might be better to finish 2nd in the Northeast, as I think that Loei's group is tougher. Both teams seemed to think the same over the last two weeks, with Loei losing 0-1 twice, and Buriram having a 0-0 draw and a 1-5 loss.

Or maybe they just relaxed after wrapping up the playoff spots.

Possibly, although the Loei coach did say he wanted to win the division because of the prize money. Mild celebrations from the Loei fans when it was announced they were champions. I guess after last year they realise the hard work is yet to come.

I was visitor 100,000 late last night. Do I get a prize?

Yes, you get second place in the TPL...again!  

[Vinnie]

Some final day photos, Korat v Loei

http://webboard.koratfc.net/index.php?topic=7329.0

http://webboard.koratfc.net/index.php?topic=7330.0

And as a special end-of-season 'treat', here's a picture of my camera-shy self, mercifully disguised by smoke

[Vinnie]

I was visitor 100,000 late last night. Do I get a prize?

Mr SRS is too modest by half. His site has recently passed 300,000 hits!!

[druryfire]

Rose Asia Pathum Thani, Thai football's worst team?

In 2009 they came bottom of the Central/East Division.
2010 came bottom of the Bangkok Division.

How about Sa Kaew? 1 win and 4 draws from 30 games. Though Rose-Asia and North Central run them close (2 wins, 7 draws from 24). The fans of these three clubs ( if they still have any) deserve medals for putting up with that. The positive for Sa Kaew fans they got to see their team get all 7 points at home.

I'm just thinking along the lines of Rose Asia coming bottom two season's running in two different leagues.

Would be great to see an end of season tournament featuring al lthe wooden spooners!!

This time of year I start to get twitchy as to who will play next season. I just think that some clubs won't like coming last and look to pull out. Especially when these clubs probably don't have any backing or support and the trauma of coming last makes you want to hide!

[Vinnie]

Rose Asia Pathum Thani, Thai football's worst team?

In 2009 they came bottom of the Central/East Division.
2010 came bottom of the Bangkok Division.

How about Sa Kaew? 1 win and 4 draws from 30 games. Though Rose-Asia and North Central run them close (2 wins, 7 draws from 24). The fans of these three clubs ( if they still have any) deserve medals for putting up with that. The positive for Sa Kaew fans they got to see their team get all 7 points at home.

I'm just thinking along the lines of Rose Asia coming bottom two season's running in two different leagues.

Would be great to see an end of season tournament featuring al lthe wooden spooners!!

This time of year I start to get twitchy as to who will play next season. I just think that some clubs won't like coming last and look to pull out. Especially when these clubs probably don't have any backing or support and the trauma of coming last makes you want to hide!

Mukdahan have finished second bottom in the last two seasons.

[Tobi]

is there somewhere a schedule for the mini leagues?

[wolfman]

Not yet. I've been checking TLO and the Regional League website.

[wolfman]

Also, I'm sure this was mentioned, but I can't find the post. Chai Nat copped a 50,000 baht fine and a 4-match ban from their home ground after the Phichit match where their player punched the referee.

Since then, they've had two away games, but their final match, a home fixture, was played at Rajabhat Piboonsongkram in Phitsanulok. Assuming the ban applies to their mini-league fixtures, this could affect their promotion chances, having to play 3/5 'home' games at a neutral venue.

[Tobi]

i jst found that the mini league will start at 16. october and the schedule will be out end of this month

[wolfman]

i jst found that the mini league will start at 16. october and the schedule will be out end of this month

You're kidding. Are they going to play midweek games? Otherwise, the mini-league won't finish until Christmas (ok, 18 December with no breaks). The promoted teams will be at least 6 or 7 weeks behind the rest of Division 1 when preparing for next season.

[lokomotive]

i jst found that the mini league will start at 16. october and the schedule will be out end of this month

You're kidding. Are they going to play midweek games? Otherwise, the mini-league won't finish until Christmas (ok, 18 December with no breaks). The promoted teams will be at least 6 or 7 weeks behind the rest of Division 1 when preparing for next season.

No he isn't.

Last game of the play offs are on 19th December. If I hurry up, I am able to see the last game day.  

[wolfman]

i jst found that the mini league will start at 16. october and the schedule will be out end of this month

You're kidding. Are they going to play midweek games? Otherwise, the mini-league won't finish until Christmas (ok, 18 December with no breaks). The promoted teams will be at least 6 or 7 weeks behind the rest of Division 1 when preparing for next season.

No he isn't.

Last game of the play offs are on 19th December. If I hurry up, I am able to see the last game day.  

You'll almost be able to see the opening day of the next season as well.

[druryfire]

i jst found that the mini league will start at 16. october and the schedule will be out end of this month

You're kidding. Are they going to play midweek games? Otherwise, the mini-league won't finish until Christmas (ok, 18 December with no breaks). The promoted teams will be at least 6 or 7 weeks behind the rest of Division 1 when preparing for next season.

And no doubt some smart arse will organise an RL Super Cup for end of December.

[Vinnie]

i jst found that the mini league will start at 16. october and the schedule will be out end of this month

That's quite ridiculous. I assumed they would be starting this weekend! Seems to be yet another example of the authorities trying to milk the current popularity of the domestic game by creating year-round football. Other teams will be back in pre-season training by December.

[wolfman]

It's going to hurt the promoted teams in the transfer market too. "We might be in Division 1 next season" isn't much of a pitch, when you've got 12 other sides who know exactly where they will be.

Also, the RL kicked off in February this year and will finish in December, while the TPL & Div 1 run March - October. Can someone please remind me which group play football for a living?

[Vinnie]

Also, the RL kicked off in February this year and will finish in December, while the TPL & Div 1 run March - October. Can someone please remind me which group play football for a living?

An excellent point. One of our best players from 2009, one Atorn Oupasen, had to leave the club before the season started because the company he works for - at which he earnt far more than he did playing football - transferred him to another part of the country. That was his main job, not playing football, so he had to go.

And we've been without our best defender, Phanomkorn Charot, since the start of July because he's been on military duty elsewhere in the country. He finally returned to Korat just a couple of days before the Loei game.
Another one of our first-choice defenders, Uthai Piewngern, often misses matches because of military committments.
Most players at Korat earn around 5,000 baht a month. A lot of less well-off clubs don't pay wages at all but just pay appearance and goal bonuses etc

One tends to think that, compared with European leagues, there isn't much of a gap beween the RL and TPL/Div 1 but in many ways they are worlds apart.

[wolfman]

Confirmed on TLO. The fixtures for the Champions' League (try typing that with a straight face) will be released on Sept 29th.

[druryfire]

Confirmed on TLO. The fixtures for the Champions' League (try typing that with a straight face) will be released on Sept 29th.

And this generally turns what has been a good RL season into a complete farce.

The fixtures could have been drawn when they decided which positions qualifed for which league. Is someone at RL HQ making sure some teams have a favourable fixture list?

[BangkokGlassBunny]

Rose Asia Pathum Thani, Thai football's worst team?

In 2009 they came bottom of the Central/East Division.
2010 came bottom of the Bangkok Division.

How about Sa Kaew? 1 win and 4 draws from 30 games. Though Rose-Asia and North Central run them close (2 wins, 7 draws from 24). The fans of these three clubs ( if they still have any) deserve medals for putting up with that. The positive for Sa Kaew fans they got to see their team get all 7 points at home.

I'm just thinking along the lines of Rose Asia coming bottom two season's running in two different leagues.

Would be great to see an end of season tournament featuring al lthe wooden spooners!!

This time of year I start to get twitchy as to who will play next season. I just think that some clubs won't like coming last and look to pull out. Especially when these clubs probably don't have any backing or support and the trauma of coming last makes you want to hide!

I feel a little sorry for Rose Asia. They only dropped to last place after the final match.
I went to see them play a few times and they were truly awful, but they have improved a little since last season.

I really hope they continue.

[druryfire]

Rose Asia Pathum Thani, Thai football's worst team?

In 2009 they came bottom of the Central/East Division.
2010 came bottom of the Bangkok Division.

How about Sa Kaew? 1 win and 4 draws from 30 games. Though Rose-Asia and North Central run them close (2 wins, 7 draws from 24). The fans of these three clubs ( if they still have any) deserve medals for putting up with that. The positive for Sa Kaew fans they got to see their team get all 7 points at home.

I'm just thinking along the lines of Rose Asia coming bottom two season's running in two different leagues.

Would be great to see an end of season tournament featuring al lthe wooden spooners!!

This time of year I start to get twitchy as to who will play next season. I just think that some clubs won't like coming last and look to pull out. Especially when these clubs probably don't have any backing or support and the trauma of coming last makes you want to hide!

I feel a little sorry for Rose Asia. They only dropped to last place after the final match.
I went to see them play a few times and they were truly awful, but they have improved a little since last season.

I really hope they continue.

Teams like Rose Asia do just show the spirit of football really. I've never really understood there name? Are they another company team?

[BangkokGlassBunny]

Rose Asia Pathum Thani, Thai football's worst team?

In 2009 they came bottom of the Central/East Division.
2010 came bottom of the Bangkok Division.

How about Sa Kaew? 1 win and 4 draws from 30 games. Though Rose-Asia and North Central run them close (2 wins, 7 draws from 24). The fans of these three clubs ( if they still have any) deserve medals for putting up with that. The positive for Sa Kaew fans they got to see their team get all 7 points at home.

I'm just thinking along the lines of Rose Asia coming bottom two season's running in two different leagues.

Would be great to see an end of season tournament featuring al lthe wooden spooners!!

This time of year I start to get twitchy as to who will play next season. I just think that some clubs won't like coming last and look to pull out. Especially when these clubs probably don't have any backing or support and the trauma of coming last makes you want to hide!

I feel a little sorry for Rose Asia. They only dropped to last place after the final match.
I went to see them play a few times and they were truly awful, but they have improved a little since last season.

I really hope they continue.

Teams like Rose Asia do just show the spirit of football really. I've never really understood there name? Are they another company team?

I don't know where the name comes from, it's very hard to find any info even at the games as they really are as low budget as you can get. They used to have a really really basic webboard website last season, but they don't even have that any more.

I haven't met anyone who speaks any sort of English either, mind you I've only been 3 times.

If they're still about next year, I'll try to drag my wife along so I can find out a bit about them... You never know, I might even get a game

[the_englishman]

Wasn't it something to do with an airline company? (Rose Asia)

[Vinnie]

This made me laugh.
How bad were my pre-season predictions for the teams in the Northeast division?!
They only one that is about right is Mahasarakham. I've got Mukdahan as a top six dark horse (they finished second bottom). I said Loei won't trouble the play-offs (champions); buriram bottom half (second); Surin - top four (finished in the bottom four); Nakhon Phanom - top six (finished bottom!).

The full horror is here: http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/koratfc/club_news.pl?news=307886

It's interesting how I never saw what was coming at buriram.

[wolfman]

This made me laugh.
How bad were my pre-season predictions for the teams in the Northeast division?!
They only one that is about right is Mahasarakham. I've got Mukdahan as a top six dark horse (they finished second bottom). I said Loei won't trouble the play-offs (champions); buriram bottom half (second); Surin - top four (finished in the bottom four); Nakhon Phanom - top six (finished bottom!).

The full horror is here: http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/koratfc/club_news.pl?news=307886

It's interesting how I never saw what was coming at buriram.

Korat for Champions? (5th)

Maybe next season you should predict they'll come last and get relegated

[Vinnie]

This made me laugh.
How bad were my pre-season predictions for the teams in the Northeast division?!
They only one that is about right is Mahasarakham. I've got Mukdahan as a top six dark horse (they finished second bottom). I said Loei won't trouble the play-offs (champions); buriram bottom half (second); Surin - top four (finished in the bottom four); Nakhon Phanom - top six (finished bottom!).

The full horror is here: http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/koratfc/club_news.pl?news=307886

It's interesting how I never saw what was coming at buriram.

Korat for Champions? (5th)

Maybe next season you should predict they'll come last and get relegated;)

Funnily enough, I was non-committal when it came to our chances:

"As there are half a dozen new teams in the divison, and a dozen new players in the squad, it is impossible to say with any certainty 'Korat will finish in the top two'. But Korat have the stadium, the fanbase, the budget and the aspirations to compete at a higher level."

[wolfman]

While on the subject of oracles, Football Siam is tipping Buriram FC to win Group 1 comfortably, with either Chiang Mai or Saraburi to go up with them. They've picked Group 2 to be tighter, but are tipping Phuket and Chai Nat, with Samut Prakan and Bangkok FC to push them hard.

Anyone else care to stick their necks out?

Picking purely from the heart, with little or no head involved, here are my picks (in no particular order).
Group 1: Phichit , Trang (though I could live with Chiang Mai)
Group 2: Loei, Chai Nat (Samut Prakan)

[BangkokGlassBunny]

While on the subject of oracles, Football Siam is tipping Buriram FC to win Group 1 comfortably, with either Chiang Mai or Saraburi to go up with them. They've picked Group 2 to be tighter, but are tipping Phuket and Chai Nat, with Samut Prakan and Bangkok FC to push them hard.

Anyone else care to stick their necks out?

Picking purely from the heart, with little or no head involved, here are my picks (in no particular order).
Group 1: Phichit , Trang (though I could live with Chiang Mai)
Group 2: Loei, Chai Nat (Samut Prakan)
Phichit

Buriram FC, Chiang Mai, Phuket & Loei are what I'm going for but I wouldn't be upset if Buriram didn't make it. I don't really like Phuket either but in future they are likely to be a strong team from the south and Thai footy needs that.

[Tobi]

I would like to see Saraburi, Chiang Mai, Samut Prakan and Phuket.

[druryfire]

While on the subject of oracles, Football Siam is tipping Buriram FC to win Group 1 comfortably, with either Chiang Mai or Saraburi to go up with them. They've picked Group 2 to be tighter, but are tipping Phuket and Chai Nat, with Samut Prakan and Bangkok FC to push them hard.

Anyone else care to stick their necks out?

Picking purely from the heart, with little or no head involved, here are my picks (in no particular order).
Group 1: Phichit , Trang (though I could live with Chiang Mai)
Group 2: Loei, Chai Nat (Samut Prakan)
Phichit

Buriram FC, Chiang Mai, Phuket & Loei are what I'm going for but I wouldn't be upset if Buriram didn't make it. I don't really like Phuket either but in future they are likely to be a strong team from the south and Thai footy needs that.

I'm like yourself, I don't particular like Phuket, but i do think they need to be the team from the South that need to make Thai footy suceed the most.

[Vinnie]

I guess I'll leave the predictions well alone after my pre-season predictions shame for the northeast division.

I'll only say that I'll be staggered if buriram don't go up. Not because of their quality - Loei were definitely worthy champions - but because of...well, you know!

[Nigb]

The draw for the Champions League out today

 http://www.thaileaguefootball.com/index.php?lay=show&ac=article&Id=93004

[Tobi]

A couple of interesting matches. I am sure my girlfriend will hate me, cause I told her, that "my" season will be finished end of October ... Even on the last days with my "favorietes" play against each other. Poor me, I will be in Germany that time.