Thailand Premier League

[Nigb]

from www.thaileaguefootball.com - The FAT have sent the average attendance figures for Navy Rayong and Muang Thong United to the AFC. The average attendance given for Navy Rayong was 12 600 and 10 400 for Muang Thong United.   

lying to the AFC, this could cause problems.

[SriRachaShark]

Average over the last two games perhaps but the whole season's average will be much less. I agree, Nigb. If FAT are trying to pull a fast one, they are playing a very dodgy game. And what's the point? The AFC can see that Thai football is making huge strides it doesn't need to start massaging the facts.

[Nigb]

here are the latest figures of average attendance figures. Even if they are correct they may not be an accurate measure of crowd numbers, as you said SRS crowds are growing fast in many places.

[druryfire]

I personally don't think that crowd numbers will matter too much.

For one, if the AFC are serious about leagues needing a certain limit, then they can start to forget about 80% of the leagues in the region to begin with.

AFC are making strides in the game, but who's making the rules? We have a Qatari who rubber stamps it all, but come 2011 he could be voted out and someone we will have to play too someone elses tune.

But what does this Qatari fellow really know about the Thai domestic game or the Thai culture? Nothing, so can he really force what crowds we need to play in a competition?

[SriRachaShark]

here are the latest figures of average attendance figures. Even if they are correct they may not be an accurate measure of crowd numbers, as you said SRS crowds are growing fast in many places.

That is a strange looking table. Some look about right (Chonburi, PEA) but others have got to be wrong. The top two are a joke. It would be interesting to see what the MTUFC fans have to say about their figure.

SriRacha's looks way too high as do Chula and BKK Utd.

[jakartacasual]

khun vichit may have asked for the game to be moved but he tells me muang thong are happy they can still handle things

[SriRachaShark]

khun vichit may have asked for the game to be moved but he tells me muang thong are happy they can still handle things

We shall see

[jakartacasual]

personally would prefer supachalasai...

much easier to get to.

now, about this pre/post match beer?

[Nigb]

"The Thai league was recently rocked after the TTM Samut Sakhon coach dropped a huge bombshell by resigning and making a public claim that some of his players had taken bribes to fix matches."

anyone know about this? from http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/09/12/opinion/opinion_30112079.php

[TPF]

"The Thai league was recently rocked after the TTM Samut Sakhon coach dropped a huge bombshell by resigning and making a public claim that some of his players had taken bribes to fix matches."

anyone know about this? from http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/09/12/opinion/opinion_30112079.php

I hope they can verify those comments! Seems pretty libellous stuff to me.

From the same article "The Thai league has been marred by on and off-field violence, which is enough to turn off most spectators. The latest clash between supporters, during a game between the Port Authority of Thailand and TOT FC, left many injured."

Since that game I've spoken to TOT fans and Thai Port fans and none of them mentioned any trouble. If "many" people had been injured i'm sure this would have been big news. I wonder if it's an exaggeration or a total fabrication?

The person who wrote the article can't even get the name of our team correct.  :

[Vinnie]

"The Thai league was recently rocked after the TTM Samut Sakhon coach dropped a huge bombshell by resigning and making a public claim that some of his players had taken bribes to fix matches."

anyone know about this? from http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/09/12/opinion/opinion_30112079.php

I hope they can verify those comments! Seems pretty libellous stuff to me.

From the same article "The Thai league has been marred by on and off-field violence, which is enough to turn off most spectators. The latest clash between supporters, during a game between the Port Authority of Thailand and TOT FC, left many injured."

Since that game I've spoken to TOT fans and Thai Port fans and none of them mentioned any trouble. If "many" people had been injured i'm sure this would have been big news. I wonder if it's an exaggeration or a total fabrication?
The person who wrote the article can't even get the name of our team correct.  :

I go for 'total fabrication'. I saw a re-run of the whole match and there wasn't a hint of trouble. Unlike in England, Thai cameramen aren't shy when it comes to showing off-field trouble and newspapers aren't slow to report it. Even that heated argument between a Thai Port fan and an Osotspa fan after the match between the two sides made front page news and was shown endlessly on Siam Keela TV. I've no doubt it's total nonsense though quite what the reporter's motivation is is unclear.
I don't know about the TTM issue. Has their coach recently resigned?

[Nigb]

"The Thai league was recently rocked after the TTM Samut Sakhon coach dropped a huge bombshell by resigning and making a public claim that some of his players had taken bribes to fix matches."

anyone know about this? from http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/09/12/opinion/opinion_30112079.php

I hope they can verify those comments! Seems pretty libellous stuff to me.

From the same article "The Thai league has been marred by on and off-field violence, which is enough to turn off most spectators. The latest clash between supporters, during a game between the Port Authority of Thailand and TOT FC, left many injured."

Since that game I've spoken to TOT fans and Thai Port fans and none of them mentioned any trouble. If "many" people had been injured i'm sure this would have been big news. I wonder if it's an exaggeration or a total fabrication?
The person who wrote the article can't even get the name of our team correct.  :

I go for 'total fabrication'. I saw a re-run of the whole match and there wasn't a hint of trouble. Unlike in England, Thai cameramen aren't shy when it comes to showing off-field trouble and newspapers aren't slow to report it. Even that heated argument between a Thai Port fan and an Osotspa fan after the match between the two sides made front page news and was shown endlessly on Siam Keela TV. I've no doubt it's total nonsense though quite what the reporter's motivation is is unclear.
I don't know about the TTM issue. Has their coach recently resigned?

sensationalist reporting. Showing total disregard for the truth and making up malicious facts.  It comes from the newspaper "The Nation" which prides itself on its political commentary.

[the_englishman]

I've been sent a report (thanks Matt) that quotes the TFA chief as saying that the league could be 'restructured' next  year so there is a TPL and a Provincial League. Why must they insist on messing around with the structure?

[SriRachaShark]

SriRacha 4 BEC Tero 2

What a cracking match! A must win game for SriRacha and win they did. After going one down they fought back to lead 2-1 before conceding an equaliser with the last kick of the first half.

They dominated possession in the second period but Tero had chances too. Two goals in the last few minutes sparked wild scenes at the end.

SriRacha still have a lot to do if they want to stay up but they should get plenty of confidence after this performance.


A great atmosphere generated by a crowd of about 1000. Two teams looking to win the game and a lot of credit must go to the officials who were spot on with most decisions (I won't mention the obvious handball that the ref missed!).

If tomorrow's match is half as good as this, we're all in for a treat.

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/league_table.pl

And try imagining how that table would look if SriRacha had been awarded those three points from the P*ttaya match.

[lokomotive]

Great win. Yeees. 3 games left for SR, I hope somehow they can manage to hold the league.

[lokomotive]

wow what kind of results. espacially looking the 3:0 for Srirach with all goals in the last 5 minutes. CFC only draw, looks like all over now for CFC, considering that MTU has the head to head in is hands.

[druryfire]

Anyone want to start a petition to get BEC forward Anon back in the National team?

What does this lad have to do to get a proper look in?

[TPF]

Anyone want to start a petition to get BEC forward Anon back in the National team?

What does this lad have to do to get a proper look in?

You have to wonder don't you?

The top 3 Thai goalscorers this season are Anon 18, Pipat 10 and Sompong 9. Of those only Pipat seems to be on the fringe of the squad.

The likes of Teeratep, Teerasil and Ronnachai don't score many goals, so surely you need to have a goal poacher like Pipat or Anon amongst the squad? I don't care if they can't hold the ball up, you need your strikers to score, or you'll win nothing.

[druryfire]

Anon Sangsanoi got one measly game at the 2008 AFF Cup and scored twice. But from day one, when Reid took over, he was told to get that boy in your team. He didn't call him up, yet didn't know anything about him, yet anyone could see he was a goalscorer.

The day he called him up, he labelled him lazy and kept him as a sub for the T&T Cup. It only seemed that he was included because of pressure.

He's never been given a proper chance, but continues to score. Hopefully Robson will look at the stats and at least include him and actually see what he can do.

[TPF]

Anon Sangsanoi got one measly game at the 2008 AFF Cup and scored twice. But from day one, when Reid took over, he was told to get that boy in your team. He didn't call him up, yet didn't know anything about him, yet anyone could see he was a goalscorer.

The day he called him up, he labelled him lazy and kept him as a sub for the T&T Cup. It only seemed that he was included because of pressure.

He's never been given a proper chance, but continues to score. Hopefully Robson will look at the stats and at least include him and actually see what he can do.

I think Reid was a bit of a 4-5-1 merchant. For me it's the scourge of the modern game. It's so boring to watch, and the poor bloke who has to play upfront on his own has thankless task of chasing down defenders for 90 mins. If he does by some miracle get a chance to score, he'll more then likely be too knackered to take it.

I saw Anon play against Thai Port earlier in the season, and he stood on the half way line with his hands on his hips for 85 minutes watching his team get battered, before popping up with an 86th minute winner.

Call me old fashioned, but I don't see why you can't partner Anon who might be lazy, but can score, with a second striker who can work hard and 'bring others into play'. I guess that's not revolutionary enough for modern day football  .

[lokomotive]

Anon Sangsanoi got one measly game at the 2008 AFF Cup and scored twice. But from day one, when Reid took over, he was told to get that boy in your team. He didn't call him up, yet didn't know anything about him, yet anyone could see he was a goalscorer.

The day he called him up, he labelled him lazy and kept him as a sub for the T&T Cup. It only seemed that he was included because of pressure.

He's never been given a proper chance, but continues to score. Hopefully Robson will look at the stats and at least include him and actually see what he can do.

I think Reid was a bit of a 4-5-1 merchant. For me it's the scourge of the modern game. It's so boring to watch, and the poor bloke who has to play upfront on his own has thankless task of chasing down defenders for 90 mins. If he does by some miracle get a chance to score, he'll more then likely be too knackered to take it.

I saw Anon play against Thai Port earlier in the season, and he stood on the half way line with his hands on his hips for 85 minutes watching his team get battered, before popping up with an 86th minute winner.

Call me old fashioned, but I don't see why you can't partner Anon who might be lazy, but can score, with a second striker who can work hard and 'bring others into play'. I guess that's not revolutionary enough for modern day football  .

But the question is whehther they other guy wants to work the 90 mins only for the other. And the point is, how much, you as a couch rely on teamwork.

[druryfire]

There's always a call that he's a lazy bugga, but i'm sure there's always a place at least in the 16 member squad for a guy that scores goals.

I'd certainly like to have him or Sarayoot Chaikamdee to throw onto the pitch for the last 15 minutes if you need a goal. I think both could do a job in the upcoming double headers against Singapore.

Looking at the Thai strikers that have featured for the national team in the last 12 months and you have:

Teerasil Dangda  6 goals in 24 games for a strong team like Muang, is that really a good return?

Ronnachai Rangsiyo, i think he also went to Muang this year? Not heard much good about him since his goal straight from the bench against Vietnam

Teeratep Winothai - all heart, but i feel there's way to much pressure on his shoulders, he's almost like Raul in a way.

And whatever happened to Khon Kaen forward Issarapong Lilakorn, who came from nowhere, probably for Reid to stamp his authority at the time, and then quickly went back to no where.

[TPF]

Anon Sangsanoi got one measly game at the 2008 AFF Cup and scored twice. But from day one, when Reid took over, he was told to get that boy in your team. He didn't call him up, yet didn't know anything about him, yet anyone could see he was a goalscorer.

The day he called him up, he labelled him lazy and kept him as a sub for the T&T Cup. It only seemed that he was included because of pressure.

He's never been given a proper chance, but continues to score. Hopefully Robson will look at the stats and at least include him and actually see what he can do.

I think Reid was a bit of a 4-5-1 merchant. For me it's the scourge of the modern game. It's so boring to watch, and the poor bloke who has to play upfront on his own has thankless task of chasing down defenders for 90 mins. If he does by some miracle get a chance to score, he'll more then likely be too knackered to take it.

I saw Anon play against Thai Port earlier in the season, and he stood on the half way line with his hands on his hips for 85 minutes watching his team get battered, before popping up with an 86th minute winner.

Call me old fashioned, but I don't see why you can't partner Anon who might be lazy, but can score, with a second striker who can work hard and 'bring others into play'. I guess that's not revolutionary enough for modern day football  .

But the question is whehther they other guy wants to work the 90 mins only for the other. And the point is, how much, you as a couch rely on teamwork.

That's a good question. I think if you are playing 4-5-1 it relies on really good team work to be successful. In many ways though, it can really nullify the threat of the striker as he can become increasingly isolated if the team is under pressure. For me it's a very negative formation.

I much prefer 4-4-2 with a striker who plays on the shoulder of the last defender and another who has license to move around. It gives the attack a focal point, and also a link man who can drop back if necessary.

[TPF]

There's always a call that he's a lazy bugga, but i'm sure there's always a place at least in the 16 member squad for a guy that scores goals.

I'd certainly like to have him or Sarayoot Chaikamdee to throw onto the pitch for the last 15 minutes if you need a goal. I think both could do a job in the upcoming double headers against Singapore.

Looking at the Thai strikers that have featured for the national team in the last 12 months and you have:

Teerasil Dangda  6 goals in 24 games for a strong team like Muang, is that really a good return?

Ronnachai Rangsiyo, i think he also went to Muang this year? Not heard much good about him since his goal straight from the bench against Vietnam

Teeratep Winothai - all heart, but i feel there's way to much pressure on his shoulders, he's almost like Raul in a way.

And whatever happened to Khon Kaen forward Issarapong Lilakorn, who came from nowhere, probably for Reid to stamp his authority at the time, and then quickly went back to no where.

I've seen Issarapong in action twice this season for Khon Kaen, and he was pretty anonymous in both games to be honest. There were a few nice touches to suggest he's decent, but you have to wonder why he hasn't been snapped up by a TPL team if he is that good. After todays Division 1 results, he might in the TPL with Khon Kaen next season!

[druryfire]

History shows that to survive in the TPL you need at least 30 points.

3 clubs will go down out of 6.

11 Rajnavy Rayong (PR) 28 8 6 14 27 34 -7 30
12 Pattaya United 28 6 11 11 24 29 -5 29
13 Bangkok United 28 5 13 10 23 33 -10 28
14 Chula United 28 4 13 11 28 45 -17 25
15 Sriracha (PR) 28 6 6 16 23 33 -10 24
16 Nakhon Pathom 28 6 6 16 29 47 -18 24

Chula seem hard to beat, but struggle to win.

Sriracha, in my opinion, have left it to late.

Nakhon Pathom to me look down and out.

Bangkok United are in freefall.

So, who will go down?

My picks:

Nakhon Pathom, Sriracha and Bangkok United

[SriRachaShark]

Now picture it how it should read. P*ttaya on 26pts and SriRacha with 27pts.

A big difference there. Scandalous!

[Vinnie]

Teerasil Dangda  6 goals in 24 games for a strong team like Muang, is that really a good return?

Ronnachai Rangsiyo, i think he also went to Muang this year? Not heard much good about him since his goal straight from the bench against Vietnam

Teeratep Winothai - all heart, but i feel there's way to much pressure on his shoulders, he's almost like Raul in a way.

And whatever happened to Khon Kaen forward Issarapong Lilakorn, who came from nowhere, probably for Reid to stamp his authority at the time, and then quickly went back to no where.

There's no way I'd start with Leesaw at the moment. Yet another 'you've-got-to-see-it-to-believe-it' miss from him yesterday. Good job Muang Thong don't have to rely on him for goals.

[Vinnie]

Usual nonsense at a couple of games last night. Group intimidation of the ref by Pattaya players after the final whistle. He was pushed by at least two of them. Obviously, TIT so they weren't even booked let alone red-carded as they should have been.

Trouble outside Nakhon Pathom's ground. Windows broken by fans. Not sure who the subject of their ire was but I could have a wild guess... :

[SriRachaShark]

And one irate Chonburi supporter (guess who?) giving the verbals to his fellow "fans" for their ridiculous and ignorant abuse of Zico while he was signing autographs and posing for photos after the match.

Don't you mean - "Obviously, TIP so they weren't even booked let alone red-carded as they should have been." ?

[Vinnie]

And one irate Chonburi supporter (guess who?) giving the verbals to his fellow "fans" for their ridiculous and ignorant abuse of Zico while he was signing autographs and posing for photos after the match.

Yeah, that's not good. I look forward to the day I can get angry about Korat finishing second in the TPL! 
I'm guessing those fans weren't following Chonburi when you were in the Provincial League. They might have a bit more perspective if they were.

[SriRachaShark]

And one irate Chonburi supporter (guess who?) giving the verbals to his fellow "fans" for their ridiculous and ignorant abuse of Zico while he was signing autographs and posing for photos after the match.

Yeah, that's not good. I look forward to the day I can get angry about Korat finishing second in the TPL! 
I'm guessing those fans weren't following Chonburi when you were in the Provincial League. They might have a bit more perspective if they were.

That was pretty much the drift of my rant. With a bit of effing and jeffing thrown in for good measure. Not sure how much they understood but they did shut up!

Chonburi fans and staff have always had a good relationship with each other and the culture has been to get behind the players and the management. Sadly we seem to be losing that as the club grows. Inevitable I suppose but sad nevertheless.

There was also an incident in the car park when a couple of ours fans allegedly punched a couple of MTUFCTV, sorry, I mean Siam Sport TV, crew members who refused to show them a repeat of the disallowed "goal".

[Vinnie]

Now picture it how it should read. P*ttaya on 26pts and SriRacha with 27pts.

A big difference there. Scandalous!

A good point, I rather hoped Pattaya would go down too. But having just read the Siracha coach's comments on www.thaileaguefootball.com defending his team walking off "we have to walk off to show the referee he has made a mistake" I won't be too sorry to see them go either.

Perhaps automatic six point deductions for teams that walk off will show the coaches that they made a 'mistake'.

[SriRachaShark]

Now picture it how it should read. P*ttaya on 26pts and SriRacha with 27pts.

A big difference there. Scandalous!

A good point, I rather hoped Pattaya would go down too. But having just read the Siracha coach's comments on www.thaileaguefootball.com defending his team walking off "we have to walk off to show the referee he has made a mistake" I won't be too sorry to see them go either.

Perhaps automatic six point deductions for teams that walk off will show the coaches that they made a 'mistake'.

And of course fines for teams who field weakened teams

TTM Samut Sakhon 0-2 Muang Thong United

Prachak Wiengsong of TTM Samut Sakhon- Most starting players were substitutes because we want to focus on FA Cup and Singapore cup champion.

Source - www.thaileaguefootball.com

[jakartacasual]

That was pretty much the drift of my rant. With a bit of effing and jeffing thrown in for good measure. Not sure how much they understood but they did shut up!

been slagging off kitchen utensils again?!

[charade_2010]

Former Thai football star to lead Hoang Anh Gia Lai again

Former Thai star striker and the current coach of Thailand’s Chonburi club Kiatisuk Senamuang will return to Vietnam to coach Hoang Anh Gia Lai at the V-League 2010, according to the club’s chairman Doan Nguyen Duc .
Over one month after V-League 2009 closed, one of the richest football clubs in Vietnam has named its new chief coach.

 

Last season Hoang Anh Gia Lai used two Thai coaches, Chatchai and Dusit. Chairman Doan Nguyen Duc tried to convince former player Kiatisuk to return but he was busy with Chonburi.

 

Joining Hoang Anh Gia Lai in 2002, Kiatisuk contributed significantly to the team in his five years there. With Kiatisuk, Hoang Anh Gia Lai claimed the V-League championship in 2003 and 2004 while Kiatisuk was also honored as the best player and best foreign player.

 

Before leaving Hoang Anh Gia Lai in 2006, he worked as the team’s chief coach for a period of time. He is now director of Hoang Anh Gia Lai in Thailand and the coach of Thailand’s Chonburi club, which entered the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup 2009.

 

Hoang Anh Gia Lai will convene on October 10 under the guidance of Dusit to prepare for a football tournament in Thailand and Cambodia. After the Thai Football Championship finishes in November, Kiatisuk will become the chief coach of Hoang Anh Gia Lai.

 

The club’s technical director Nguyen Van Vinh has left after nine years while striker Phan Thanh Binh is transferred to Dong Tam Long Anh. Hoang Anh Gia Lai also ended its contracts with two foreign players from Africa, Cesar and Moustapha.

[lokomotive]

woooooooow, what a bang. SRS, awaiting your comment. Can't find words for at the moment.

[SriRachaShark]

Just wait until you hear who his replacement will be.

[SriRachaShark]

From www.thaileaguefootball.com

FAT demands Chonburi use Supachalasai Stadium for final home match following security problems at Sirindhorn after Chonburi v Chula match. Chonburi appealing to host the match at PE College, Chonburi and banning fans from attending.

Oh, for f*&ks sake. These people are the biggest bunch of tossers imaginable. They are totally clueless. Talk about double/triple/quadruple standards.

If this is how they "manage" things they can stick their TPL where the sun don't shine!!

And, yes, I'm f*&king angry. 

[Azzurri]

toukyo2545@hotmail.com   love ball thai but poor english

[Azzurri]

coach Carlos from Rajpracha D.2 may be will  replae Kiatisuk (Zico) soon !!

if this true Calros is also quite good bcoz he used to get TPL champion with Thai Tobacco.

Zico move to PEA or Robbo assistant ... He he he

[SriRachaShark]

Those three points that P*ttaya obtained by cheating against SriRacha are starting to look more and more important aren't they?

[lokomotive]

what is the head to head of Sriracha vs PU, BU and Rayong?

[SriRachaShark]

what is the head to head of Sriracha vs PU, BU and Rayong?

Here you go, Loko :

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/showgrid.pl


PS Thanks for the e mail re the fanzine. I'll reply tomorrow.

[druryfire]

Pattaya play Chula on the last game, so if they avoid defeat, they stay up, even if Sriracha win.

Chula and Pattaya already drew with each other earlier this year, so if Chula win, they overtake Pattaya on head-to-head

Sriracha need to win full stop and hope Chula beat Pattaya, if Chula-Pattaya is a draw, Sriracha still go down.

Bangkok United have better head to head record against Chula.

So, basically put, Chula must win and hope Sriracha lose to survive.

Sriracha must win and hope Pattaya lost.

Bangkok United need just a draw to survive and would still come above Sriracha if Sriracha win on head to head.

[SriRachaShark]

So, if all goes to plan SriRacha, Chula and BKK Utd will all win.

[lokomotive]

Thanks for your quick replys guys. So SRS needs to Win, and PU have to loose. I hope that SiamKeela will televise one of those games. As the others, are not interesting anymore. But as we all know the story behind Keela and MTU, I have not big hopes. Cause MTU will get the trophy next week. And I cant imagine that they wont televise that.

[SriRachaShark]

Navy Rayong v Chonburi match report here :

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/match_report.pl?action=report&id=1553828

[SriRachaShark]

How Can We Get Better? A thought provoking article by Steve Darby can be read here :

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/club_news.pl

[SriRachaShark]

An interesting article about the rise and rise of Thai domestic football.

http://www.the-afc.com/en/features/25618-fans-rally-behind-thailands-football-revolution

One slight point  - "There is still a long way to go. As witnessed by a recent invasion of the pitch by Chonburi fans, security needs to be upgraded in stadiums. And there needs to be closer interaction between clubs and the media."

Security does need to be upgraded but where and when was the pitch invasion? Dangerous, lazy journalism at its best/worst.

[Vinnie]

Yeah, there are a few questionable points.

'Crowds are coming back...' How can they 'come back' when they weren't there in the first place?

'Pro League...boasted provincial teams with large fan bases.' Large potential fan bases. Crowds were still very low.

He repeatedly makes the point that merging the two leagues was the main cause behind the huge rise in attendances but the merger happened a couple of years ago and crowds only started going up this season.
As for the Chonburi pitch invasion reference. Presumably he just read the Bangkok Post article rather than doing any real research.
As is usual with these kinds of articles, no reference to the main problem in Thai football: the on-field conduct of players and coaches.