National Team Match Schedule

Confirmed Schedule: Jan 14 2009, 2011 ACQ - Jordan (Amman) Jan 21 2009, 2009 King's Cup, Lebanon (Phuket) Jan 23 2009, 2009 King's Cup, Denmark or North Korea (Phuket) Jan 28 2009, 2011 ACQ - Iran (Bangkok) Nov 14 2009, 2011 ACQ - Singapore (Singapore) Nov 18 2009, 2011 ACQ - Singapore (Bangkok) Jan 6 2010, 2011 ACQ - Jordan (Bangkok) Mar 3 2010, 2011 ACQ - Iran (Tehran)

King's Cup 2009

The draw has been made for the tournement to be played in Phuket. This time it's a straight knockout compeition January 21: Denmark v North Korea (4.30pm); Thailand v Lebanon (7pm). January 23: 3rd place play-off (4.30pm); Final (7pm).

We missed the fox in the box

From the games i've seen on the telly. Thailand certainly missed a real striker in my opinion. Someone who can do nothing for most of the game and then just simply slot the ball in the net when called upon. I recall, i previously mentioned Sarayoot Chaikamdee who has scored on 26 previous occsasions for the national side, albeit, most goals coming against the likes of Macao and Timor-Leste. Even though he wasn't considered fit enough, i think he could have done a job in the final third and could probably on reflection taken the sub spot off BEC Tero forward Anon Sangsanoi who saw very little action. Coach Reid certainly doesn't seem to favour him. Again, in the action i have seen, it is quite clear that Reid favours the long route 1 ball. I'm not too sure where this will get us in the future. We need more of the ball and wind our opponents down, simply pass and move. Far to often our full backs Sukha and Sammana would just launch the blasted thign forward. It's OK getting Dangda's head on it, but then who wins the second ball? Not us! We have to start to learn to keep ball more, not be afriad to pass sideways and pass backwards, time to have confidence on the ball. This will come evantually. but probably at the cost of Asian Cup qualification. Not sure how we will fair in that. Looks like Iran and Jordan will have the number on us and Singapore, will anything could happen in that regional derby game. Set pieces will be a key to our future, but we can't just hope to get free kicks. We are good in the air in South East Asia, but bring on the Middle East, could be a different kettle of fish. Now, as Runner's Up once again, the team must deliver in our annual King's Cup, to bring a bit of success back to the nation.

Hats off To Vietnam

Well done Vietnam. AFF Suzuki Cup Chmpions 2008. In reality, it's good for the region, and lets hope that Vietnam can build on this and move up a gear throughout Asia. As for Thailand and Singapore, the much more fancied sides, it just shows, tournement football springs surprises and you have to take your chances, of which, in the games i've seen didn't seem many close cut chances.

Vietnam 1 - 1 Thailand

AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 Final, 2nd Leg Vietnam 1 - 1 Thailand My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi Thailand Squad (Players Used) THAILAND: Kosin Hathairatanakul, Suree Sukha, Chonlatit Jantakam, Nataporn Phanrit, Natthapong Samana, Arthit Sunthornphit, Surat Sukha, Datsakorn Thonglao, Teerasil Dangda, Teerathep Winothai, Ronnachai Rangsiyo, Suchao Nutnum Notes Teerasil Dangda scored his 10th international goal Coach Peter Reid's record now stands at: Played: 9 Won: 6 Drawn: 2 Lost: 2 Scored: 19 Conceded: 7

All New 2nd Division??

Rumour has it, the 2nd Division in Thailand Domestic football will be split from its current 2 leagues format into 4 new leagues comprising between 12-14 teams depending on the region. A new North, North-East (Issan Region), Central and South league will be created. This will create more local derbies, less travelling and hopefully better football. Assuming this gets the go ahead, and the season starts in March, then we would have 4 champions to be promoted in the First Division. Again, four teams would be relegated to filter back through. Or going through Thai standards, they will have four champions moving into another group phase to see who the overall champion is.

90 Minutes from glory!

The wife's gone to Bingo, so it gives me chance to get my views across of what should happen on Sunday 28th December. Recall Kittisak Rawangpa to the goalkeeper spot Play Ronnachai Rangsiyo instead of Winothai Don't play the long ball, use the wings Bring Arthit into Sundays starting lineup. Kosin use to be my first choice goalkeeper, who el;se really? I didn't really no other any other. But why did Coach Reid change his keeper for the final first leg. As far as i'm aware, Kosin has only played in one game prior to the final. He, himself was probably surprised to get called up, being second fiddle for most the of the tournment. Kittisak surely deserved his chance? I'm sure he will get it in Vietnam, as we need a commanding presence, something Kosin doesn't look like he can achieve at this moment Drop Winothai in favour of someone who can score? Leesaw may have all the determination, but why not let him keep this and boil it all up coming off the bench with 30 to go? Although a few days ago i would have played Rangsiyo instead of Dangda, i just feel now they need to be played together as they have got the goal scoring knack in this tournement. Don't go with attittudes and star studded players on this one, go with the guys who know where the net is for this tournement. Don't play the long ball, be more paitent. If a gap isn't opening up, then slow it down and start agan, don't be afriad to keep the ball. Don't just hoof it for the sake of something possibly happening, lets make it happen by playing with the ball and using the wings, with Sutee Sukomsit and Arthit to get crosses in. This tournement we have shown from corners and free kicks that we can hed the ball better than anyone, so use the width and get them crosses in. Be patient, and draw the freekick so we can pinpoint our chances in. One last note, don't play into the hands of Vietnam. It's only one goal. It we play far too attacking, we will score, but we will also get caught out. Conceding a goal will make heads drop. Vietnam will be very nervous for the whole game. And there fans now expect them to win. Still 0-0 with 15 to go, no problem. Either way, don't play to get caught at the back again, and the Vietnamese will start to crack the longer the game goes. Keep them without scoring and chances will open up.

Thailand 1 - 2 Vietnam

AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 Final, 1st Leg Thailand 1 - 2 Vietnam Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok Thailand Squad (Players Used) THAILAND: Kosin Hathairatanakul, Suree Sukha, Chonlatit Jantakam, Nataporn Phanrit, Natthapong Samana, Arthit Sunthornphit, Surat Sukha, Datsakorn Thonglao, Teerasil Dangda, Teerathep Winothai, Ronnachai Rangsiyo, Pichitphong Choeichiu Notes Ronnachai Rangsiyo scored his 4th international goal Coach Peter Reid's record now stands at: Played: 9 Won: 6 Drawn: 1 Lost: 2 Scored: 18 Conceded: 6

AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 Semi-Final, 2nd Leg Thailand 2 - 1 Indonesia Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok Thailand Squad (Players Used) THAILAND: Kittisak Rawangpa, Suree Sukha, Chonlatit Jantakam, Nataporn Phanrit, Natthapong Samana, Arthit Sunthornphit, Surat Sukha, Datsakorn Thonglao, Suchao Nutnum, Teerasil Dangda, Teerathep Winothai, Ronnachai Rangsiyo, Anon Sangsanoi, Pichitphong Choeichiu Notes Teerathep Winothai scored his 12th international goal Ronnachai Rangsiyo scored his 3rd international goal Suchao Nutnum will miss the final first leg after picking up two yellow cards Coach Peter Reid's record now stands at: Played: 8 Won: 6 Drawn: 1 Lost: 1 Scored: 17 Conceded: 4

PEA FC In ACL Action

Asian Champions League

Qualifying Draw

(18.02.09) PEA FC V SAFFC (Singapore) - Thammasat University Rangsit Stadium

The winners will then play at home against Indonesia’s PSMS Medan on February 25, 2009, with a place in the ACL at stake.

Indonesia 0 - 1 Thailand

AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 Semi-Final Indonesia 0 - 1 Thailand Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta Thailand Squad (Players Used) THAILAND: Kittisak Rawangpa (GK), Suree Sukha, Chonlatit Jantakam, Nataporn Phanrit, Datsakorn Thonglao (Cpt), Suchao Nutnum, Teerasil Dangda, Natthapong Samabna, Teeratep Winothai, Surat Sukha, Sutee Suksomkit, Notes Teerasil Dangda scored his 9th international goal Coach Peter Reid's record now stands at: Played: 7 Won: 5 Drawn: 1 Lost: 1 Scored: 15 Conceded: 3

Thailand 3 - 0 Malaysia

AFF Suzuki Cup 2008
Group Stage - Match Three

Thailand 3 - 0 Malaysia

Sarakul Stadium, Phuket

Thailand Squad

Goalkeepers : Kittisak Rawangpa

Defenders: Suree Sukha , Nataporn Phanrit (Patipan Petchpoon), Natthaphong Samana , Choltit Jantakam

Midfielders: Surat Sukha (Rangsan Vivatchaicoke), Datsakorn Thonglao , Suchao Nutnum and Sutee Suksomkit

Strikers: Teerathep Winothai (Rongnachai Rangsiyo), Teerasil Dangda

Notes

Suksomkit scored his 13th goal for Thailand

Danda scored his 7th and 8th goals for Thailand

Suree Sukha got Yellow Card

Rawangpa got Yellow Card

Peter Reid Managerial Record

Played: 6

Won: 4

Drawn: 1

Lost: 1

Scored: 14

Conceded: 3

Next up Indonesia, AFF Suzuki up semi-final, 1st Leg on 16th December

Lebanon added to King's Cup?

Rumor's persist that Lebanon have been added to the 2008 King's Cup schedule, to be played in earlier 2009.

If you can read arabic, visit this web site: http://www.lebanese-football.com/lf/absolutenm/templates/newsdetails.asp?articleid=2231&zoneid=17

Or read what i translated:

"It also decided to approve the Union invitation to participate in the Thai King's Cup 2009 which will be held in Bangkok between January 21 and 23 next to the participation of Denmark, Thailand, North Korea and Lebanon. "

Thailand 6 - 0 Laos

AFF Suzuki Cup 2008

Group Stage - Match Two
Thailand 6 - 0 Laos
Sarakul Stadium, Phuket

Thailand Squad (Players Used)

THAILAND: Sutee Sukha, Patiparn Phetphun, Niweat Siriwong, Ronnachai Rangsiyo, Tana Chanabut, Anon Sansanoi, Arthit Sunthornphit, Kosin Hathairattanakool, Phichitphong Choeichiu, Salahudin Aware, Rangsan Vivatchaichok.

Match Report: http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/index.asp?aid=52432&cid=1465&sqid=1018&amth=12&ayr=2008

Notes

10 Players were changed from the previous matchday squad

Patiparn Phetphun scored his 4th international goal

Ronnachai Rangsiyo scored his 2nd international goal

Anon Sansanoi scored his 1st and 2nd international goals

Arthit Sunthornphit scored his 1st and 2nd international goals

Coach Peter Reid's record now stands at:

Played: 5
Won: 3
Drawn: 1
Lost: 1
Scored: 11
Conceded: 3

Next Up, Laos

Ok, so tomorrows game against Laos, in Phuket, before the team head back to Bangkok should be 3 points in the bag.

Of course it should. I won't even try to find any negative points really. Laos may score, but we should score more.

Tomorrow, i would like to see Reid rotate his squad a little, and give thr fringe guys a chance in a big game and also rest a few key players for later against Malaysia where we need to win and top the group and show our intentions.

It would be an ideal chance to change our keeper, bringing Kosin back in to see if his mind is on the tournement or not and give a chance to the likes of Anon Sangsanoi and Salahudin Arware.

I'm not talking full games or even starting, but to give them a good 30 minutes at least to gain experience that will be needed for later in the competition.

At this moment, i'm just looking through our options and notice that we don't really have a team that scores goals. For example, there's only Sutee Suksomkit and Terratep Winothai who have scored double figures. I wonder if Reid with dropping Sarayoot Chaikamdee has enough firepower. Surely, if only half fit, he could have been used in the Group Stages to break down a stubborn Laos if need be?

Thailand 2 - 0 Vietnam

AFF Suzuki Cup 2008
Group Stage - Match One

Thailand 2 - 0 Vietnam

Sarakul Stadium, Phuket

Thailand Squad (Players Used)

Goalkeepers: Kittisak Rawangpa (Osotspa)

Defenders: Suree Sukha (Chonburi), Nataporn Phanrit (Muang Thong), Natthaphong Samana (Chonburi), Choltit Jantakam (Chonburi)

Midfielders: Surat Sukha (Chonburi), Datsakorn Thonglao (Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Vietnam), Phichitpong Choeichiu (Krung Thai Bank), Tana Chanabut (Pattaya United), Suchao Nutnum (TOT), Arthit Sunthornpit (Chonburi) and Sutee Suksomkit (Tampines Rovers, Singapore).

Strikers: Teerathep Winothai (K.Lierse S.K., Belgium), Teerasil Dangda (Muang Thong)

Notes

Suksomkit scored his 13th goal for Thailand

Nutnum scored his 5th goal for Thailand

Phanrit picked up a Yellow Card

Surat Sukha picked up a Yellow Card

Thonglao may miss the next game due to injury

Thailand - Vietnam Match Statistics

This will be the 16th matchup between Thailand and Vietnam.

Full Record Against Vietnam:

Won: 10
Drawn: 3
Lost: 2
Goals For: 30
Goals Against: 13


Home Record:

Won: 5
Drawn: 1
Lost: 0
Goals For: 14
Goals Against: 4

Statistics are certainly on our side. We have only ever lost twice in 15 previous matchups. The last time in 1998. We have since played 9 other games against them. The worrying point is probably the fact that we have drawn the last two.

The last matchup was only a couple of weeks ago, in Vietnam when we won the T&T Cup after drawing with the hosts Vietnam and beating our other opponents North Korea.

The last time Vietnam stepped over to Thailand and Bangkok was in early 2007 for the 2nd Leg of the ASEAN Championship 2006. The match ended in a scorless draw, but the damage was already done in the first leg in Hanoi.

The most important game between the two nations to date was way back in 1973 for a FIFA World Cup Qualifier. Back then, the game was played in Seoul, South Korea and we got thumped 3-0.

Tomorrow (6th December) will see the two sides battle it out in Phuket for the first time, after previously meeting in such exotic places as Chiang Mai, Jakarta and Bandar Seri Begawan.

The game will also pit the Portuguese coach Henrique Calisto against Englishman Peter Reid. Two coaches wanting to stamp their authority on their new sides. Calisto has yet to win as coach of Vietnam and Reid wants to stamp his authority on his team.

Tomorrow, come 7pm, we will see what each side is made of. But it certainly should be a cracker.

In tomorrows other group game, Malaysia meet Laos in the earlier kick-off.

Quick look to our Group A rivals, and matchday one brought big wins for two nations whom will be looking to go from strength to strength and now progress.

Singapore beat lowly Cambodia 5-0, surprisingly Aleksander Duric did not score!

Indonesia also thumped Myanmar 3-0, in a game i thought would have been a lot closer, but it seem's heads dropped for the Burmese

AFF Suzuki Cup Squad

THAILAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Kittisak Rawangpa (Osotspa) and Kosin Hathairattanakool (Chonburi)

Defenders: Suree Sukha (Chonburi), Patiparn Pethpul (PEA), Nataporn Phanrit (Muang Thong), Natthaphong Samana (Chonburi), Niweat Siriwong (BEC Tero), Rangsan Viwatchaichoke (PEA), Choltit Jantakam (Chonburi) and Panupong Wongsa (PEA).

Midfielders: Surat Sukha (Chonburi), Datsakorn Thonglao (Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Vietnam), Phichitpong Choeichiu (Krung Thai Bank), Saraudin Arwae (Muang Thong), Tana Chanabut (Pattaya United), Suchao Nutnum (TOT), Arthit Sunthornpit (Chonburi) and Sutee Suksomkit (Tampines Rovers, Singapore).

Strikers: Teerathep Winothai (K.Lierse S.K., Belgium), Ronnachai Rangsiyo (PEA), Teerasil Dangda (Muang Thong) and Anon Sangsanoi (BEC Tero)