Thailand Premier League

[Vinnie]

The only unsavoury incident of the day was some Thai Port fans spitting beer and water at the linesman for his alleged bias towards BEC Tero. The stand is so close to the pitch, with all the vociferous fans just a few meters away it must be like running the gauntlet for the poor old linesman!

Welcome Marco!
Thai Port fans misbehaving again. Seems like they have a bit of a problem.

[SriRachaShark]

The only unsavoury incident of the day was some Thai Port fans spitting beer and water at the linesman for his alleged bias towards BEC Tero. The stand is so close to the pitch, with all the vociferous fans just a few meters away it must be like running the gauntlet for the poor old linesman!

Welcome Marco!
Thai Port fans misbehaving again. Seems like they have a bit of a problem.

Let's hope that some of our more boisterous fans don't react to any such behaviour on Saturday. I'd hate to see another "argument".

[Nigb]

I'll be there next week for the Thai Port - Chonburi game too. I'll be with there for Thai Port support for our old man Pipat.

[Vinnie]

The Perfect Weekend

Chonburi 2 Navy Rayong 1

PEA 0 SriRacha 2 (sorry, Nigb)

TTM 2 BKK Glass 1 (and they missed a last minute penalty : ) )

P*tt*ya U*d 0 TOT 1

Korat 3 Udon Thani 1

Chonburi have been terrible in the last four games. However, we have just gone top of the TPL thanks to the Plastic Rabbits losing their unbeaten record.

I love football : )

Just one point separating the top four. Shaping up to be a great second half of the season. I watched that BKK Glass match, too. I expect there were a few cheers in the SRS household when that pen' was saved.

[TPF]

I watched The TTM vs BKK Glass match also. I was impressed with Ekollo and Camara, not only for the way they played, but also for the way they conducted themselves while they were getting lumps kicked out of them!

What's the deal with Bangkok Glass? Are they the new media darlings of TPL? Everytime I watch a game on Siam Sport, they are playing! I reckon they've been on 3 weeks in a row now.

[Nigb]

It's been a strange week of results, I think most clubs reversed their results from the previous week(s) making a very tight table.  

[SriRachaShark]

I watched The TTM vs BKK Glass match also. I was impressed with Ekollo and Camara, not only for the way they played, but also for the way they conducted themselves while they were getting lumps kicked out of them!

What's the deal with Bangkok Glass? Are they the new media darlings of TPL? Everytime I watch a game on Siam Sport, they are playing! I reckon they've been on 3 weeks in a row now.

I'm sure that it has nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that they have the most photogenic fans in the TPL ; )

[beastdalen]

Hello guys ! I'll be visiting Bangkok and Udon Thani on 30/8-8/9. Like to know what league games are scheduled during that period  and also how much do tickets cost there. Lastly does anyone know where i can get a game of pick up football near the Banplee area ? Thanks.


Thanks SriRacha for the info . Looking forward to attending those games.

[SriRachaShark]

Hello guys ! I'll be visiting Bangkok and Udon Thani on 30/8-8/9. Like to know what league games are scheduled during that period  and also how much do tickets cost there. Lastly does anyone know where i can get a game of pick up football near the Banplee area ? Thanks.

In BKK

TPL
August 30th

Osotspa v BEC Tero
Chula United v TOT

September 6th

Muang Thong Utd v BKK Glass
BEC Tero v P*ttaya U*d
BKK Utd v Chonburi

ko times vary between 4:00pm and 6:00pm. Probably a good idea to check nearer the time.

Div 2 NE

September 5th

Udon Thani v Nakorn Phanom ko 4:00pm

Tickets will cost between B40 & B60 for the TPL and it's possibly free admission at the Div 2 game.

Hope that helps.

[jakartacasual]

wagon wheels and panda pops alround eh?

[SriRachaShark]

Port Authority 1 Chonburi 2

They say that even the greatest journeys start with just a single step. Well, on Saturday, mine started with a lot of sitting around and looking anxiously at my watch. The normally reliable supporter’s club coach had failed to show at the designated time of 1:00pm and by 2:45pm the hastily arranged alternatives still hadn’t materialised. I was just about to revert to PlanB, a couple of hours in the pub followed by SriRacha v Osotspa, when two mini-buses came screeching around the corner. With a great deal of relief we all scrambled aboard and were finally off on our travels. Next stop, the hitherto unexplored grandeur of the PAT Stadium, Klong Tuey.

Apart from being grilled by a visiting journo from Jakarta, and swapping horror stories of dismal away days, the trip was fairly un-eventful but rather pleasant. On arrival at our destination I had plenty of time to spare before kick off so headed for the Port Authority club shop and cafe. What a smashing little facility this is. A brand new building stocked to the rafters with good quality merchandise and staffed by very friendly and helpful people: one gripe, costing more than a replica shirt I thought the scarves were ridiculously over-priced. There was even the added attraction of a topless PAT fan standing in the corner. You can always expect the unexpected in Thailand but I was ill prepared for the bare torso of a pasty Scouser greeting me as I walked through the door! Once I’d recovered my composure and made my purchase (a TPA home shirt, since you ask) I felt it prudent to make my way to the ground as I could see that the stands were quickly filling up.

The throng outside the stadium was reminiscent of an old fashioned English crowd and childhood memories were further evoked when I took my place on the terraces. The Port Authority of Thailand Stadium is a tight little ground with the fans close to the pitch. Just the sort of environment I’d grown up watching football in. The famed “temporary” stand behind the goal to my left was already packed with home and away fans and the other two permanent stands were also pretty full. There was a real buzz about the place as everyone prepared for the match to start. Both sets of supporters were in good voice and a great roar greeted the two teams as they entered the field. So frantic was the opening that I completely missed the kick off and only realised that the match was under way when I heard the home support screaming for a free kick.

The pace was fairly unrelenting as the game swayed first one way and then the other with both teams having, and wasting, a few opportunities to score. The deadlock was broken midway through the first half when the diminutive Pipob rose unchallenged to nod home a trademark Arthit free kick. As “Mo” wheeled away to celebrate with the visiting fans gathered behind the goal the home defenders stood looking at each other in the same pose that they had adopted when the ball had been swung into the box.

With the home crowd momentarily silenced, Chonburi seized the initiative and went in search of a second ; Kone heading tamely straight at the keeper from about eight yards out. However, it wasn’t long before the Port players responded by launching a series of threatening attacks of their own – threatening, that is, until they caught sight of the goalposts. It seemed like a case of same old, same old as a lack of composure from the forwards continued to let them down after some pretty impressive approach play. Although, to be fair, they did hit the woodwork and force Kosin to claw away a speculative cross come shot during this spell. But, when the half time whistle blew, the visitors were still a goal to the good and l munched on my imaginery Wagon Wheel feeling fairly contented.

The second half picked up where the first had left off with both teams trying to pass the ball and get it forward quickly. Some of the flowing football that has been missing from Chonburi’s recent games had returned and Kone was having one of his better days. In midfield, Adul was his usual industrious self and revelling in the fact that he’d been allowed to start (Zico must read my reports). TPA were playing some pretty tidy stuff themselves and it came as no particular surprise when they equalised. A hopeful long ball sent panic through the Chonburi back line and, as the defenders dithered, a cross was whipped in from the right to be turned in by a the on rushing Pipat.

With just over thirty minutes left the game was now wide open and events on the field seemed to mirror themselves – Chonburi hit the post, TPA hit the post. Chonburi had a certain penalty appeal turned down, TPA had a certain penalty appeal turned down. Chonburi scored a second, TPA didn’t. And the visitors held out for a hard fought victory. In all honesty I couldn’t have complained if the match had ended level. TPA certainly gave as good as they got and if it hadn’t have been for some silliness at the end when their keeper tripped up the ref in the opposing penalty area they would have been able to claim the moral high ground as well because, once again (shakes head in embarrassment) we resorted to trotting out the stretcher at every possible opportunity. (If you’re still reading, Zico, please, please, please stop this irritating tactic now!!)

Overall it was a good day out. A rollicking good game. Two passionate groups of supporters getting behind their teams and (sorry, Marco) the right result. So, at the halfway stage The Sharks find themselves at the top of the pile. A big cup came on Tuesday and then a break from domestic  duties but no rest for a lot of the players as they join up with the national squad for more training. We’ll have to find a bit more consistency in the second half of the season if we want to regain our title. We certainly have the personnel but do we have the bottle?

Stretcher Count

(Oh, if I must!) TPA 0 Chonburi 6 (Six)

Ref Watch

He seemed a bit card happy and, along with his assistants he failed to give two cast iron penalties. He must have got the shock of his life when the home goalkeeper tripped him up in the Chonburi area just before full time!

[TPF]

I apoligise for the partial nudity you had to endure in the club shop! If I see you at the Chonburi vs PSMS match tomorrow, I promise I'll be fully clothed! I'd better point out to other readers that I was topless whilst I was waiting for number 11 and JIRAWAT to be ironed onto the back of my shirt (one of the A's is a already starting to peel off, so I'll soon be walking around with JIRWAT on my back).

I concur with everything in SRS's great match report. The atmosphere at the game was superb, and the match itself was a frenzied end to end affair. Thai Ports overall play was pretty good, and the fact that the team in seventh can give the team at the top such a close game can only bode well for the TPL. However our inability to put the ball in the net is a problem that needs addressing. In the 4 or 5 Thai Port games I've been to, Pipat Tonkanya is the only player I've seen score! In fact he was only denied his second goal on Saturday, thanks to a brilliant save late in the match when Kosin tipped a sweetly struck goalbound shot onto the post.

After the match I had to say a sad farewell to Thai Port fans who I've been going to the games with, as I'm heading back to the UK before the second half of the season starts. Despite the language barrier they have been amazingly kind to me, and really made me feel part of the group for which i'm very grateful.

I'm sure I'll be back at Tarua Stadium in the not too distant future.

 

[SriRachaShark]

From todays Post.

Domestic league needs tweaking
By: TOR CHITTINAND

The Thai Premier League reached its halfway point on Sunday with Chonburi FC taking the lead over Bangkok Glass.


 Both teams have 30 points after 15 games and also have identical goal difference. However, Chonburi top the table because they have scored more goals.

The league will take a break and resume on July 25 before coming to an end in October.

I think the league should not be in recess at this time of the year as fans do not have much football to watch during the off season in Europe.

The top flight, which is run by Thai Premier League Co, has enjoyed a successful spell in its first season under the name Thai Premier League.

The number of spectators has increased considerably thanks to the hard work by Thai Premier League Co chairman Vichit Yamboonruang and concerned parties.

Siam Sport Syndicate, the country's most powerful sports media company, has played a key role in promoting the league.

The firm owns newcomers Muang Thong United, who are one of the most well-organised clubs along with Chonburi.

Like in American sports, many teams have *rude word*y cheerleaders to help lure fans to stadiums particularly those of Bangkok Glass, Muang Thong and Bangkok United.

The Thai league was launched 13 years ago in 1996 under the name Thailand Premier League.

During the early days, most matches were played at Supachalasai stadium or the adjacent Thephatsadin which is more like a training ground.

Often spectators numbered less than the players and officials.

The league was "standardised" this season after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ordered that every team in a local league must have their own stadium and be a registered company.

The league has attracted more foreign players particularly those from Africa and Brazil. While most of them are not better than local players, they help add colour to the league.

However, some foreign players are good including Chonburi striker Kone Mohamed of Ivory Coast and Bangkok Glass forward Samuel Arjayi from Nigeria.

Several teams are chasing foreign players to play for them in the second part of the season.

Muang Thong reportedly want to sign former England international Lee Sharpe while bottom side Chula United are eyeing a couple of Brazilians to help them in their fight to avoid the drop.

While the league has been a success so far, there are still many problems for Thai Premier League Co and the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) to solve.

The refereeing has been a headache for concerned parties. FAT president Worawi Makudi admits that this is an urgent matter and believes a new referee committee will be able to improve the standard of officiating.

Admittedly, there have been several instances of poor officiating prompting teams to stage walkouts.

In the Chula v Pattaya match on Sunday, Pattaya walked out for five minutes after one of their players made a hard tackle on a Chula player.

Whether the red card was too harsh was debatable but Pattaya should not have walked off the pitch in protest.

Although the rules allow teams to stage a protest during a match for no longer than 15 minutes, they should accept the referee's calls.

Clubs should lodge a formal protest instead of disrupting the game because walking off often prompts their supporters to throw things onto the pitch.

Another issue is that it is not convenient for many fans to watch games at the stadium and matches in the first leg of the season were mostly shown on satellite channel NBT 18.

Only two games have been televised on NBT's free TV channel this season. However, Worawi has promised that more games will be shown on a free TV in the second part of the season.This will certainly reach more people and increase the league's popularity.




Loads to discuss there. It will be interesting to hear people's thoughts.

[SriRachaShark]

I think the league should not be in recess at this time of the year as fans do not have much football to watch during the off season in Europe.

I agree. It does seem strange to be taking a break at this time. However, there is still football being played lower down the pyramid. Make an effort to go out and watch some other teams.

The top flight, which is run by Thai Premier League Co, has enjoyed a successful spell in its first season under the name Thai Premier League.
The number of spectators has increased considerably thanks to the hard work by Thai Premier League Co chairman Vichit Yamboonruang and concerned parties.

They certainly have. I like to think that we've done our bit as well. Nigb managed to drag a complete stranger to last night's AFC Cup match - not a TPL fixture, I know, but it's still helping bring people through the turnstiles.

Siam Sport Syndicate, the country's most powerful sports media company, has played a key role in promoting the league.

They've done an excellent job. The newspaper is crammed with articles, previews and lengthy reports. And the TV station has live games and decent highlights and discussion shows. Keep it up, guys.

The firm owns newcomers Muang Thong United, who are one of the most well-organised clubs along with Chonburi.

I have a lot of admiration for MTUFC. They have done things the right way over the past few seasons. I wish them success (finishing second in your first season in the top division won't be a bad start ; ) )
And Chonburi continue to get it right on and off the field. I know a lot of English clubs who could learn a thing or two from our management team.

Like in American sports, many teams have *rude word*y cheerleaders to help lure fans to stadiums particularly those of Bangkok Glass, Muang Thong and Bangkok United.

I'm not sure that they actually "lure fans to stadiums" (it would be a strange creature indeed who only went to football for the cheerleaders) but they do add to the atmosphere. The ones at BKK Uni last season were awesome. I've never seen human beings being flung so high!


The league was "standardised" this season after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ordered that every team in a local league must have their own stadium and be a registered company.

Well done, AFC. Keep the pressure on. FAT must know that they are accountable to a greater governing body. And, if they have Thai football's interest at heart, they'll do everything they can to meet the required criteria.

The league has attracted more foreign players particularly those from Africa and Brazil. While most of them are not better than local players, they help add colour to the league.

It's always good for the game to have quality players from overseas playing in the domestic leagues. A few more Europeans would make things a bit more interesting

However, some foreign players are good including Chonburi striker Kone Mohamed of Ivory Coast and Bangkok Glass forward Samuel Arjayi from Nigeria.

The Kone Mohamed who turned up last night is a footballing genius. Better than Pele, Maradona and Cruyff. And almost as good as Andy Ritchie. Let's hope we see more of him : )

Several teams are chasing foreign players to play for them in the second part of the season.

Muang Thong reportedly want to sign former England international Lee Sharpe while bottom side Chula United are eyeing a couple of Brazilians to help them in their fight to avoid the drop.

Not so sure about Lee Sharpe - marketing ahead of football, methinks. Chula would need to sign Pele, Zico, Ronaldo, Ronaldhino etc at their pomp to have any chance of staying up judged on what I saw the other week.

While the league has been a success so far, there are still many problems for Thai Premier League Co and the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) to solve.

The refereeing has been a headache for concerned parties. FAT president Worawi Makudi admits that this is an urgent matter and believes a new referee committee will be able to improve the standard of officiating.

This is a good move. Let's hope that they can bring someone in from overseas to offer advice and training. My uncle's a qualified ref. I'm sure he'd be happy to help out. The team coaches could also assist here by keeping their mouths shut and not blaming the referees every time their side loses

Admittedly, there have been several instances of poor officiating prompting teams to stage walkouts.

There are poor decisions in every game of football that is played but walking off the field in a strop is not the answer. Nor is throwing missiles at the officials or opposing fans or players.

In the Chula v Pattaya match on Sunday, Pattaya walked out for five minutes after one of their players made a hard tackle on a Chula player.

Whether the red card was too harsh was debatable but Pattaya should not have walked off the pitch in protest.

Sling the whinging, fake club out of the league ; )

Although the rules allow teams to stage a protest during a match for no longer than 15 minutes, they should accept the referee's calls.

I didn't know this. Surely that can't be true?

Clubs should lodge a formal protest instead of disrupting the game because walking off often prompts their supporters to throw things onto the pitch.

Another issue is that it is not convenient for many fans to watch games at the stadium and matches in the first leg of the season were mostly shown on satellite channel NBT 18.

More realistic and sensible kick off times would help - get some floodlights, BEC Tero!! I do like the idea of staggering the weekend fixtures across Saturday & Sunday.

Only two games have been televised on NBT's free TV channel this season. However, Worawi has promised that more games will be shown on a free TV in the second part of the season.This will certainly reach more people and increase the league's popularity.

A good move. The more exposure the league(s) get on the tele can only be a good thing. However, it's more bums on seats at the stadiums that I'd like to see.

[Vinnie]

From todays Post.

Domestic league needs tweaking
By: TOR CHITTINAND

The Thai league was launched 13 years ago in 1996 under the name Thailand Premier League.

During the early days, most matches were played at Supachalasai stadium or the adjacent Thephatsadin which is more like a training ground.

Often spectators numbered less than the players and officials.

I didn't know that. The league has certainly come a long way since those days.

The league was "standardised" this season after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ordered that every team in a local league must have their own stadium and be a registered company.

Bigwigs at the FAT may well be struttng around like proud pea*rude word*s at the moment because of the growing popularity of the TPL but if it hadn't been for the AFC's crucial actions then I don't think anything would have changed. If the TPL really does end up being as popular as the J-League, K-League or A-League (it seems like changing the league's name to the 'T-League' could be a shortcut to success!) then the AFC's action can be looked upon as the kick-start.

While the league has been a success so far, there are still many problems for Thai Premier League Co and the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) to solve.

The refereeing has been a headache for concerned parties. FAT president Worawi Makudi admits that this is an urgent matter and believes a new referee committee will be able to improve the standard of officiating.

Admittedly, there have been several instances of poor officiating prompting teams to stage walkouts.

Not a mention of players' general indiscipline being a problem.
The notion that better refereeing will improve players' discipline is erroneous (I know Khun Tor didn't make that claim but I'm just  making a general point). Every week I see players surrounding the ref, going beserk even when the correct decision had been made. The worst example of this kind of behaviour was at Thai Port by Samut Songkhram players. The ref correctly sent off a SS player for making obscene hand gestures at a linesman yet SS players, coaches and fans went mental.

Although the rules allow teams to stage a protest during a match for no longer than 15 minutes...

Utter nonsense. I've never heard of this before and I don't believe it to be true.

Hope you can read this ok. It's not come out quite as I intended.
You'll note I've gone for a nice tone of 'Korat Orange' instead of the red.

[TPF]

Reading an article about Teeratep jogged my memory about 6 Thai kids coming over to Everton in 2004+2005 as part the Chang sponsorship deal. It turns out that the 3 guys in 2004 were Rattapol Piyavutiskul, Sompong Soleb and Teeratep Winothai. The 3 guys in 2005 were Ronnachai Rangsiyo, Narupol Aromsawa and Sakarin Chanyotha.

I know that Ronnachai plays for P.E.A, Teeratep plays for SK Lierse and that Sompong is at Chula United. Does anyone know what happened to the other 3 lads?


Here is the article I found from July 2005:


Academy Director Ray Hall recently returned from an eight-day trip to Thailand where he and his team picked three players to come on a year-long sponsorship at Netherton.

Hall, along with Phil Cannon and Mike Dickinson travelled to Bangkok on Monday, July 4 and returned on Tuesday, July 12.

On the Friday they started the process to find three talented youngsters.

The event, called the Chang Rising Star Selection Programme, was like a football version of Pop Idol, with national press and TV following every step of the way.

Ray told evertonfc.com:"We had to pick from 200 boys.

"There were 100 selected from outside of Bangkok and another 100 from the Bangkok area.

"We put them through a series of small-sided games. Over the next few days we reduced the numbers to 54, then to 19, then to six and finally to three."

The final three: Sakarin Chanyotha - nicknamed Ko, Ronnachai Rangsiyo - nicknamed Sam and Narupol Aromsawa - nicknamed Duang, are all members of the Thai Under-17 squad and will join the Academy in September.

Hall has been impressed with all three boys, who are from the Bangkok area, and can already see similarities between the Thai players and other stars of the past, present and future.

"Ronnachai is a striker and looks and plays a lot like Nicolas Anelka, " he said. "Narupol is a terrific athlete, which is important for a midfielder. He reminds me a lot of Bjarni Vidarsson (An Icelandic kid who was with Everton at the time and now plays for FC Twente) while Sakarin is very strong and has a great left foot, like David Unsworth."

The 17-year-olds will all live with Thai families on Merseyside while training and playing with the club's Under-16 side.

[SriRachaShark]

Reading an article about Teeratep jogged my memory about 6 Thai kids coming over to Everton in 2004+2005 as part the Chang sponsorship deal. It turns out that the 3 guys in 2004 were Rattapol Piyavutiskul, Sompong Soleb and Teeratep Winothai. The 3 guys in 2005 were Ronnachai Rangsiyo, Narupol Aromsawa and Sakarin Chanyotha.

I know that Ronnachai plays for P.E.A, Teeratep plays for SK Lierse and that Sompong is at Chula United. Does anyone know what happened to the other 3 lads?


Here is the article I found from July 2005:


Academy Director Ray Hall recently returned from an eight-day trip to Thailand where he and his team picked three players to come on a year-long sponsorship at Netherton.

Hall, along with Phil Cannon and Mike Dickinson travelled to Bangkok on Monday, July 4 and returned on Tuesday, July 12.

On the Friday they started the process to find three talented youngsters.

The event, called the Chang Rising Star Selection Programme, was like a football version of Pop Idol, with national press and TV following every step of the way.

Ray told evertonfc.com:"We had to pick from 200 boys.

"There were 100 selected from outside of Bangkok and another 100 from the Bangkok area.

"We put them through a series of small-sided games. Over the next few days we reduced the numbers to 54, then to 19, then to six and finally to three."

The final three: Sakarin Chanyotha - nicknamed Ko, Ronnachai Rangsiyo - nicknamed Sam and Narupol Aromsawa - nicknamed Duang, are all members of the Thai Under-17 squad and will join the Academy in September.

Hall has been impressed with all three boys, who are from the Bangkok area, and can already see similarities between the Thai players and other stars of the past, present and future.

"Ronnachai is a striker and looks and plays a lot like Nicolas Anelka, " he said. "Narupol is a terrific athlete, which is important for a midfielder. He reminds me a lot of Bjarni Vidarsson (An Icelandic kid who was with Everton at the time and now plays for FC Twente) while Sakarin is very strong and has a great left foot, like David Unsworth."

The 17-year-olds will all live with Thai families on Merseyside while training and playing with the club's Under-16 side.

Bloody hell, Marco!!! You were thinking about that, and posting it on here, at 3 o'clock in the morning??!!!

You should seek medical help. I'll give you the name and address of a good psychiatrist when I see you on Sunday.

[SriRachaShark]

I was very saddened to read of the death of one of my favourite journalists earlier this week. I first encountered Steven Wells when he worked for the NME (a british music paper) way back when I used to buy it religiously every week. He later went on to write for the Guardian. Often controversial, always very funny and never short of an opinion or two, his columns were a treat. The Guardian has just re-posted some of his best work (www.guardian.co.uk) which includes this piece about referees. It follows on quite nicely from what Vinnie has just said.

RIP, Steven.

Refs are like traffic wardens — incredibly valuable public servants who are soft targets of a dumb, unthinking sheep-like consensus. And just as traffic wardens perform a vital task in keeping the planet-raping speedophile car filth in check, so referees are crucial to the very existence of the sport.

"That's why I cringe whenever I hear some triple-chinned has-been former red-card magnet deride a ref for 'thinking he's the most important person on the pitch'. The ref is the most important person on the pitch — the most important person in the entire sport.

"Undermine the authority of the ref and the entire structure of the sport collapses. And what rushes to fill the vacuum? The Corinthian values of the millionaire brats who play the game? The free-market amorality of the owners? The bumbling blazered bureaucracy? Only the referee remains pure of motive and entirely dedicated to the fundamentals of the game.

"Which is why the Respect campaign doesn't go far enough. The referee should be omnipotent and beyond question. Even when the ref is wrong — totally wrong, magnificently wrong, egregiously, almost-certainly-been-bribed catastrophically wrong — the ref is right. We need to instill a culture where to challenge a ref's authority is considered the sporting equivalent of picking one's nose in front the Queen.

"We should tool the refs up ... with tasers. Let's make the players wear undergarments laced with a filigree of superconductive wiring. One word of dissent, one raised eyebrow, the slightest suggestion of a smirk, one tiny gesture of sarcastic applause and the offending player is dealt a brief but instructive agony. This could be particularly effective with those players feigning injury. Bzzzzzzt! Get up. Bzzzzzzzzt! Get up. Repeat as needed."

"But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Respect needs to start in the commentary box and the backpages of the tabloids. All you old lags, all you wannabe Motsons, all you catcalling conveyers of cowardly consensus — show some respect for the game and shut your stupid mouths. The damage you do to the very fabric of the sport every time you undermine the ref is incalculable."


The last paragraph is certainly true of England. In Thailand it's the coaches who need to heed these words.

[TPF]

Bloody hell, Marco!!! You were thinking about that, and posting it on here, at 3 o'clock in the morning??!!!

You should seek medical help. I'll give you the name and address of a good psychiatrist when I see you on Sunday.
 

I stayed up late to watch the Confederations Cup match between South Africa and Brazil....It was a terrible match!!

[Nigb]

very good article about the refs SRS, one of the first things that needs to be addressed in Thai football. I'll try and get it translated and up on thailandsusu.

[druryfire]

Tawan takes BEC Tero reins

BANGKOK – Former Thailand international Tawan Sripan has been named as head coach of inaugural AFC Champions League finalists BEC Tero Sasana, replacing Frenchman Christophe Larrouilh who becomes the team’s Technical Director.

Tawan (pictured with club President Brin Marcar) ended his playing career at BEC Tero Sasana after spells in Vietnam (Hoang Anh Gia Lai) and Singapore (the now-defunct Sembawang Rangers) and was previously on the coaching staff of the Thailand national team but the mercurial midfielder struggled to balance his role as an assistant to Peter Reid and continuing to play for the Fire Dragons.

BEC Tero will be hoping that Tawan, who was capped 145 times for his country, can reignite the Bangkok giants’ Thailand Premier League (TPL) campaign, with the club currently fifth in the table at the half-way stage.

The two-time league champions ended the first leg of the 2009 TPL season with a 4-1 loss to promoted side Muang Thong United and are currently eight points behind joint leaders Chonburi and Bangkok Glass.

BEC Tero resume their league campaign on July 26 when they entertain table-toppers Chonburi, pitting Tawan against good friend and former international team-mate Kiatisuk ‘Zico’ Senamuang, who recently led the Shark into the quarter-finals of this year’s AFC Cup with a 4-0 win over Indonesia’s PSMS Medan.

http://www.the-afc.com/en/news-centre/member-association-news/301-asean-/24614-tawan-takes-bec-tero-reins

[SriRachaShark]

very good article about the refs SRS, one of the first things that needs to be addressed in Thai football. I'll try and get it translated and up on thailandsusu.

Let us know how you get on. I'd love to see the Thai translation for "planet-raping speedophile car filth". ; )

[Vinnie]

I was very saddened to read of the death of one of my favourite journalists earlier this week. I first encountered Steven Wells when he worked for the NME (a british music paper) way back when I used to buy it religiously every week. He later went on to write for the Guardian. Often controversial, always very funny and never short of an opinion or two, his columns were a treat. The Guardian has just re-posted some of his best work (www.guardian.co.uk) which includes this piece about referees. It follows on quite nicely from what Vinnie has just said.

RIP, Steven.

Refs are like traffic wardens — incredibly valuable public servants who are soft targets of a dumb, unthinking sheep-like consensus. And just as traffic wardens perform a vital task in keeping the planet-raping speedophile car filth in check, so referees are crucial to the very existence of the sport.

"That's why I cringe whenever I hear some triple-chinned has-been former red-card magnet deride a ref for 'thinking he's the most important person on the pitch'. The ref is the most important person on the pitch — the most important person in the entire sport.

"Undermine the authority of the ref and the entire structure of the sport collapses. And what rushes to fill the vacuum? The Corinthian values of the millionaire brats who play the game? The free-market amorality of the owners? The bumbling blazered bureaucracy? Only the referee remains pure of motive and entirely dedicated to the fundamentals of the game.

"Which is why the Respect campaign doesn't go far enough. The referee should be omnipotent and beyond question. Even when the ref is wrong — totally wrong, magnificently wrong, egregiously, almost-certainly-been-bribed catastrophically wrong — the ref is right. We need to instill a culture where to challenge a ref's authority is considered the sporting equivalent of picking one's nose in front the Queen.

"We should tool the refs up ... with tasers. Let's make the players wear undergarments laced with a filigree of superconductive wiring. One word of dissent, one raised eyebrow, the slightest suggestion of a smirk, one tiny gesture of sarcastic applause and the offending player is dealt a brief but instructive agony. This could be particularly effective with those players feigning injury. Bzzzzzzt! Get up. Bzzzzzzzzt! Get up. Repeat as needed."

"But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Respect needs to start in the commentary box and the backpages of the tabloids. All you old lags, all you wannabe Motsons, all you catcalling conveyers of cowardly consensus — show some respect for the game and shut your stupid mouths. The damage you do to the very fabric of the sport every time you undermine the ref is incalculable."


The last paragraph is certainly true of England. In Thailand it's the coaches who need to heed these words.

Great article. I fear many people in Thai football, including those at the very top, could not even begin to understand where this guy is coming from.

[lokomotive]

From todays Post.

Domestic league needs tweaking
By: TOR CHITTINAND

The Thai league was launched 13 years ago in 1996 under the name Thailand Premier League.

During the early days, most matches were played at Supachalasai stadium or the adjacent Thephatsadin which is more like a training ground.

Often spectators numbered less than the players and officials.

I didn't know that. The league has certainly come a long way since those days.

The league was "standardised" this season after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ordered that every team in a local league must have their own stadium and be a registered company.

Bigwigs at the FAT may well be struttng around like proud pea*rude word*s at the moment because of the growing popularity of the TPL but if it hadn't been for the AFC's crucial actions then I don't think anything would have changed. If the TPL really does end up being as popular as the J-League, K-League or A-League (it seems like changing the league's name to the 'T-League' could be a shortcut to success!) then the AFC's action can be looked upon as the kick-start.

While the league has been a success so far, there are still many problems for Thai Premier League Co and the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) to solve.

The refereeing has been a headache for concerned parties. FAT president Worawi Makudi admits that this is an urgent matter and believes a new referee committee will be able to improve the standard of officiating.

Admittedly, there have been several instances of poor officiating prompting teams to stage walkouts.

Not a mention of players' general indiscipline being a problem.
The notion that better refereeing will improve players' discipline is erroneous (I know Khun Tor didn't make that claim but I'm just  making a general point). Every week I see players surrounding the ref, going beserk even when the correct decision had been made. The worst example of this kind of behaviour was at Thai Port by Samut Songkhram players. The ref correctly sent off a SS player for making obscene hand gestures at a linesman yet SS players, coaches and fans went mental.

Although the rules allow teams to stage a protest during a match for no longer than 15 minutes...

Utter nonsense. I've never heard of this before and I don't believe it to be true.

Hope you can read this ok. It's not come out quite as I intended.
You'll note I've gone for a nice tone of 'Korat Orange' instead of the red.

Vinnie, please no change to names like T-League. You sould stay with a unique name in Asia. Everywhere you look, you only see these one letter leagues. Having and keeping the name of TPL as it is of now, is fine I think. And can mark a diference in recognizing the league. Hey we never would change the name "Bundesliga" to German Premier League or something like that. And even Bundesliga is a German word, and maybe not so easy to spell for foreigners, but peops regocnizing the league all over by that unique name.  

[Vinnie]

I wasn't being serious. That's why I finished the sentence with a (!). It was just an observation that three of the most successful leagues in Asia are the A, K and J Leagues.
But now I think about it, why not change the name? 'Premier League' has just been completely copied from England anyway. I've always thought that 'Premier' and 'Premiership' sound arrogant and tacky, too.

[lokomotive]

Indeed you are right. Sometimes it's hard for a German to cope with the english sense of humour. Even I like it and undserstand it quite well, I hope, and think....

Sure Premier League might just be a copy, but stills stays away from all that one letter league names. I wouldn't have anything against a league name created by the FAT more unique and not just a copy, even if theres one coming from Thailanguage.

[SriRachaShark]

How about the FAT League? : )

[Nigb]

just got the interview up on www.thaileaguefootball.com , had to cut the first couple of minutes as it was too long to upload on youtube.

[SriRachaShark]

just got the interview up on www.thaileaguefootball.com , had to cut the first couple of minutes as it was too long to upload on youtube.

Some of my best work ends up on the cutting room floor!!!

[SriRachaShark]

From www.thaileaguefootball.com

"BU will launch Bangkok United Membership to expand the fanclub base"


They may have to re-think those initials ; )

We already have the P.U.F.F.S. (P*ttaya U*d Football Fans Society) and O.S.H.I.T. (Oldham Supporters Here In Thailand). I'm not sure if we're quite ready for B.U.M. as well.  : )

[blue1878]

SriRachaShark I believe the P.U.F.F.S. have fan clubs in the Boyztown and Sunnee Plaza distracts of Pattaya.
And the O.S.H.I.T. fan base in Thailand have been given the B.U.M.'s rush by all football fans in Thailand

[SriRachaShark]

www.thaileaguefootball.com is reporting that TTM will play Navy Rayong at the PAT Stadium on Saturday.

Does anybody know why? Or is this the real reason why they are building extra stands?!

[alldo]

please can some one put scores on  for this weekend  thanks  prem league

[SriRachaShark]

BKK Gl*ss 4 Chula Utd 2
Osotspa 1 Chonburi 2
Navy Rayong 1 MTU 2
Thai Port 3 SriRacha 0
Bang Phra 1 Nakorn Pathom 0
TOT 0 Samut Songkhram 1
TTm 2 BKK Utd 2

PEA v BEC Tero is on Wednesday.

[alldo]

Thanks srirachashark could not get them on thailegue webb chonburi  still going well  im going to  chon buri v pattaya would like to say hello thanks.

[Vinnie]

Did you go to the futsal yesterday, SRS? Looked liked a bit of a lively crowd there!

[SriRachaShark]

Did you go to the futsal yesterday, SRS? Looked liked a bit of a lively crowd there!

Yes. We all piled in after the Osotspa game. I was extremely embarrassed by the behaviour of some of our fans. The atmosphere was really intimidating. Bottles were thrown (not by Chonburi fans) and there was some fighting. It was all rather stupid and took away from what had been an entertaining and nail biting finish to the Futsal season.


Such a shame for the organisers and the rest of the crowd who'd probably been there all day enjoying the climax to their season.

[Vinnie]

There were some Chonburi fans on the pitch after Chonburi's first goal but it wasn't a celebratory invasion, they were looking rather aggressive. What was all that about?

[SriRachaShark]

I found the whole atmosphere quite nasty. I'm all for exuberance but some of the behaviour crossed the line (literally!!). The venue was already full when we arrived and there were about 500 of us so it was pretty cramped. We were given seating behind the advertising boards but one large group stood in the corner by the Chonburi dugout.

The Catt Telecom players and bench had, quite rightly, been celebrating their two goals which had upset the Chonburi supporters and a few of them were just looking for an excuse to create mischief.

It's something that I'd rather forget. Which is a real shame because the game itself, and the climax were very exciting.

[Nigb]

the Thai Premier league may have 18 or 20 teams next year. At first I thought it was a passing suggestion, but it looks like they are giving it serious thought. Everyone seems in favour. I am too, but maybe not for the best reason.. it will almost ensure an Isaan team or two for next year.

[SriRachaShark]

Changing the rules part way through the season is not a good idea. This was one of my fears (see Division 1 thread).

Looks like it's starting (trying to cash in by getting good box office teams in the TPL). Reading this, it looks like we're suggesting that only one club will be automatically relagated this season - unless I've misunderstood. Therefore, they are proposing to change the rules part way through the season. It's the thin end of the wedge.

From www.thaileaguefootball.com

The Thai Premier League may increase the number of teams in the league next year from 16 to 18 or 20. Financial benefits and increased professionalism are the reasons given for the possible expansion. Chonburi and Bangkok Glass are in support of the expansion. Chonburi requests relegation from the TPL is upheld and suggested that 14th, 15th of the TPL enter a play off with 4th and 5th of Division 1, the 2 winners would enter the TPL next year with the top three promoted from Division 1

[Vinnie]

I read the article about the floodlight issue on nigb's site with some amusement. The FAT have said that only Bangkok Utd, Pattaya, and Chonburi/Sriracha have grounds with acceptable floodlights (this in the wake of the lights going out at Rayong at the weekend). They went on to say that clubs that don't upgrade their lights will have to kick-off at 16:00...
Well, what kind of a threat is that? I imagine most clubs will just shrug their shoulders and say "fine, we'll kick off at 16:00 then".
And whose fault is it that the country's top division is full of clubs with inappropriate facilities? FAT I'm looking in your direction.

[SriRachaShark]

I read the article about the floodlight issue on nigb's site with some amusement. The FAT have said that only Bangkok Utd, Pattaya, and Chonburi/Sriracha have grounds with acceptable floodlights (this in the wake of the lights going out at Rayong at the weekend). They went on to say that clubs that don't upgrade their lights will have to kick-off at 16:00...
Well, what kind of a threat is that? I imagine most clubs will just shrug their shoulders and say "fine, we'll kick off at 16:00 then".
And whose fault is it that the country's top division is full of clubs with inappropriate facilities? FAT I'm looking in your direction.

I also thought that was quite strange (how many floodlight problems have P*ttaya had this season?). Why concentrate on floodlights when most grounds have inadequate, or dangerous temporary, stands?

[Vinnie]

As with the floodlights, I imagine it won't occur to them until something happens.

[SriRachaShark]

SriRacha 2 BKK Gl*ss 0

A thoroughly deserved victory for the home side against title con(pre)tenders, BKK Gl*ss. The pace from the first whistle was relentless and SriRacha worked hard to close down the visitors and break quickly when they were in possession.

They had the ball in the net three times in the first half but, unfortunately, two of those goals were ruled out. From where I was sitting there didn't look to much wrong with either effort. However, SriRacha weren't disheartened and wrapped up the points 15 minutes from the end courtesy of a great individual goal from Valery, adding to the earlier strike by Gasto.


The crowd - which included a large number of Chonburi fans and bizarrely P*ttaya fans who were supporting the Blue Marlin (have these people seen a league table?!!) - celebrated wildly at the final whistle.

The Glass Rabbit can have no complaints at the result as they were well beaten today. It will be interesting to see how they can regroup in time for the visit of league leaders, Chonburi, on Wednesday.

[TPF]

SriRacha 2 BKK Gl*ss 0

A thoroughly deserved victory for the home side against title con(pre)tenders, BKK Gl*ss. The pace from the first whistle was relentless and SriRacha worked hard to close down the visitors and break quickly when they were in possession.

They had the ball in the net three times in the first half but, unfortunately, two of those goals were ruled out. From where I was sitting there didn't look to much wrong with either effort. However, SriRacha weren't disheartened and wrapped up the points 15 minutes from the end courtesy of a great individual goal from Valery, adding to the earlier strike by Gasto.


The crowd - which included a large number of Chonburi fans and bizzarely P*ttaya fans who were supporting the Blue Marlin (have these people seen a league table?!!) - celebrated wildly at the final whistle.

The Glass Rabbit can have no complaints at the result as they were well beaten today. It will be interesting to see how they can regroup in time for the visit of league leaders, Chonburi, on Wednesday

I watched most of the game on Siam Sport TV (with the sound down, so I could listen to the cricket). I couldn't see anything wrong with the disallowed goals either. Sri Racha were worthy winners, their football belied their lowly position. Bangkok Glass looked very ragged, and a few of their players seemed to lose the plot towards the end of the match. Nantawat could have easily been red carded for two yellow card offences.

I don't know what the stretcher count was, but the Ambulance count was 2-0 to Bangkok Glass. Nelson San Martin and (i think) Anawin were both taken to hospital (neither injury looked that serious).

The victory will give Sri Racha's survival bid a much needed shot in the arm. As for Bangkok Glass...We'll have to wait and see if the defeat proves fatal to their title challenge.

[TPF]

Sri Racha vs Bangkok Glass highlights: (the sound quality is poor)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt9bQp9LRjA&feature=channel_page

[alldo]

Valery watched him play 2 weeks ago siracha v pattaya good player worked hard good runs  .siracha will get out of  bottom  and play premier next year

[TPF]

Valery watched him play 2 weeks ago siracha v pattaya good player worked hard good runs  .siracha will get out of  bottom  and play premier next year

I think Nakhon Pathom will be getting a bit anxious, they have been in freefall since Michael Byrne left.

[SriRachaShark]

From the BKK Post

www.bangkokpost.com

Blue Marlins break second-placed Glass

Writer: TOR CHITTINAND

Relegation strugglers Sri Racha shocked title contenders Bangkok Glass 2-0 in the Thai Premier League yesterday.

The Blue Marlins beat the Rabbits with goals from Raul Gaston in the 17th minute and Valery Sanou in the 69th minute.

Bangkok Glass remained second with 33 points - three behind Chonburi FC who have a game in hand.

Sri Racha stayed second from last with 16 points - one adrift of the safety zone.

Defending champions Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) stunned hosts Bangkok United 2-0 at the Thai-Japan Youth Centre.

Suriya Domthaisong gave PEA the lead after 20 minutes and Yutthajak Konjan finished off Bangkok United just after the interval.

Former Thailand international Tawan Sripan secured his first win as BEC Tero Sasana coach when his men beat TTM-Samut Sakhon 3-0.

Two goals from Anon Sangsanoi and another by Tatsana Chamsa-ard gave the Fire Dragons an easy win.

Samut Songkhram lost 3-0 at home to Navy-Rayong, Somjet Sattabut (27), Tinnapop Srisatid (64) and Suttinan Nontee (95) on target for the visitors.

STANDINGS

!P ! W ! D ! L ! F !A ! Pts!

Chonburi FC ! 17 ! 11 !3 ! 3 ! 29 ! 19 ! 36!

Bangkok Glass ! 18 ! 9 ! 6 ! 3 ! 24 ! 17 ! 33!

Muang Thong United ! 17 ! 9 !5 ! 3 ! 24 !12 ! 32!

Osotspa M-150 ! 17 ! 8 ! 5 ! 4 ! 21 ! 16 ! 29!

Thai Port FC ! 17 !7 ! 5 ! 5 ! 22 ! 17 ! 26!

BEC Tero ! 18 ! 7 ! 4 ! 7 ! 25 ! 20 ! 25!

TTM-Samut Sakhorn !18 ! 5 !8 ! 5 ! 21 ! 18 ! 23!

PEA ! 18 ! 5 ! 8 ! 5 ! 20 ! 19 ! 23!

Bangkok United ! 18 ! 5 !8 ! 5 ! 17 ! 21 ! 23!

TOT FC ! 17! 5 ! 7 ! 5 ! 18 ! 19 !22!

Samut Songkhram ! 18 ! 6 ! 3 ! 9 ! 11 ! 16 ! 21!

Pattaya United ! 17 ! 4 ! 7 ! 6 ! 9 ! 11 ! 19!

Navy-Rayong ! 18 ! 4 ! 5 ! 9 ! 17 ! 21 ! 17!

Nakhon Pathom ! 17 ! 4 ! 5 ! 8 ! 15 ! 23 ! 17!

Sri Racha FC ! 18 ! 4 ! 4 ! 10 !14 ! 21 ! 16!

Chula United ! 17 ! 2 ! 7 ! 8 ! 14 ! 31 ! 13!