Thai Football News

Interesting ACL Developments

2010-07-27T20:21:00.000+01:00

Football Federation Australia

Renewal of Wellington Phoenix FC’s license in the Hyundai A-League was approved by FIFA until 2016. AFC acknowledged the extension of Wellington Phoenix FC’s license and its participation in Australia Competitions. As FIFA/AFC/OFC agreement, clubs from Australia will be dealt with like it is now.

Only Australian clubs can participate in ACL and highest placed eligible clubs will take ACL spots reserved for clubs from A-League in case Wellington Phoenix FC wins the first, second position in the A-League, or wins the cup tournament.

UAE Football Association

The UAE Football Association enquired about the possibility of Emirates FC – the winners of the 2010 knock-out championship to participate in ACL 2011, after its relegation from the UAE Professional League (first division) to the second division.

The members recommended that AFC should stick to the criteria and regulations which are already in place. AFC allows participation of Emirates FC in ACL 2011 if it meets all ACL Club Criteria, otherwise the highest placed eligible club in UAE Professional League will take ACL spot.

Korea Football Association

Gwangju Sangmu FC (Army club) is currently participating in the K-League. Gwangiu Sangmu FC is not a commercial entity and its players are not under professional contract. So it is not professional club.

More discussions with the KFA were recommended. For the time being there should be no change in Korea’s quota in the ACL. Bin Hammam emphasised that from next year the ACL would feature clubs from only those leagues, which are full professional.

http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-champions-league/29884-afc-ad-hoc-committee-for-professional-clubs

FA Cup Results - 11th July

2010-07-11T16:15:00.002+01:00

Nakhon Pathom 2 – 1 Suvarnabhumi Customs

RBAC Mittraphap 0 – 1 Air Force United

Raj Pracha-Nonthaburi 3 – 1 Prachinburi

Next FA Cup game takes place on 14th July

TPL Catchup Results - 10th July

2010-07-10T15:53:00.000+01:00

10.07.2010 Chonburi 2:1 Bangkok United

10.07.2010 Police United 1:0 Muang Thong United

10.07.2010 Royal Thai Army 1:1 BEC Tero Sasana

10.07.2010 Samut Songkhram 0:0 TTM Phichit

Probably as expected bar the Police - Muang game. Points dropped certainly. This takes the majorty of teams to the mid season mark now. Only Chonburi - BEC and Bkk Utd - Siskaet left to reach 15 games. Chonburi could pull level at the top once again. It's like a game of cat and mouse.

FA Cup Results - 7th July

2010-07-08T20:47:00.000+01:00

Rajnavy Rayong 1:0 Bangkok Glass
I guess you could call this result as a slight shock. Two TPL teams going head to head, but both with different asperations. The Navy to survive relegation and the Glass Rabbits to secure the TPL title. BKK Glass won't of course win the league now. But this result will probably hurt more so. After a good pre-season, it seems that mid season has ended all the postive outlooks they had this year.

Chonburi 1:0 Samut Sakhon
It's always tought to call these types of matches. Chonburi have bigger things to aim for in Thai football, so as expected, changes were made. Samut Sakhon seem a decent outfit at RL level in their 1st ever season. They should take confidence from this result to push on in their league campaign. Chonburi on the other hand might have seen this game as a chance to rest players or a slight inconvience to the league campaign. Future rounds will tell.

Next set of FA Cup ties take place on Sunday 11th, all DIV 1 affairs:

Nakhon Pathom : Suvarnabhumi Customs

RBAC Mittraphap : Air Force United

Raj Pracha-Nonthaburi : Prachinburi

Div1 Results - 03/04 July

2010-07-04T14:55:00.000+01:00

04.07.2010 Petroleum Authority 5:1 RBAC Mittraphap
PTT, the form team, destroying everyone left, right and centre. It was just poor old RBAC's turn today.

04.07.2010 Prachinburi 2:3 Nakhon Pathom
Nakhon are starting to turn them draws into wins. More like this and promotion will be achieved

03.07.2010 Air Force United 5:0 Suphanburi
Air Force have had a stutter, but this victory puts them back on top. I fully expect they will achieve promotion this year. Suphanburi look to be heading for RL football.

03.07.2010 Chanthaburi 3:0 Chula United
Just when Chula started to get some form together, they stutter. The slim promotion chances they had coming into this matchup have suffered somewhat

03.07.2010 Chiangrai United 0:2 Suvarnabhumi Customs
A decent result for Customs playing away in Chiangrai. Not many promotion chasing teams will get the 3 points there. This weekend has shown that they will be there or there abouts. The current top three can't take the foot of the pedal

03.07.2010 Khonkaen 2:0 Raj Pracha-Nonthaburi
A result need to keep KK ticking over. To achieve promotion, they need to win games like this, and they did it.

TPL Results - 03/04 July 2010

2010-07-04T14:48:00.000+01:00

04.07.2010 BEC Tero Sasana 2:2 TTM Phichit
Two teams yet to get going in the TPL this year. Both good enough to avoid the drop. In my opinion, they both need to be looking to build for next season and have a push to enter the big four.

04.07.2010 Chonburi 0:0 Osotspa Saraburi
I've always seen Osotspa as a tricky team for the big boys. And they have found form in recent weeks so it's not a surprise that they can pull out a resutl like this. Chonburi on the other hand will see this as points dropped

04.07.2010 Rajnavy Rayong 2:1 Royal Thai Army
Possibly the biggest match of the weekend. Two sides in big trouble. The Navy manage to keep a bit of distance from the drop zone with this result. The Army do look like they are heading straight back down.

04.07.2010 Samut Songkhram 0:2 Bangkok United
Massive 3 points for Bkk today. It keep them within distance of the sides just above the drop zone. Samut can't relax just yet. More results like this and they will b sucked in.

03.07.2010 Muang Thong United 4:0 TOT
Was this the big weekend derby game in Thailand? Greg over on the Muang blog will tell you not. It does appear that Muang have hit a bit of form. They went through a bad little spell but have now come out on top at the midway stage of the TPL. Can they defend their championship? On this form, yes.

03.07.2010 Police United 1:1 Buriram PEA
Not surprised to see PEA drop points in this game. It has just proved that the TPL is a two horse race this year.

03.07.2010 Thai Port 2:1 Bangkok Glass
TP have hit some form. After a poor start to the season, the top four does now look a dead cert. Bkk Glass again fail to deliver. Just when you thought they had turned a corner.

03.07.2010 Sisaket 1:1 Pattaya United
Sisaket are picking up points, but they do need to start turning them into 3 points on a more regular basis. I do feel that their home form is key in keeping them in the TPL. Pattaya, after a good season so far, will see this as points dropped.

Next up..... Thailand v Singapore

2010-06-23T13:30:00.002+01:00

Thailand

Singapore

11/08/2010

Rajamangala Stadium

An old rivalry comes back together to celebrate the Queen's birthday.

Two ASEAN powerhouses preparing for December's AFF Suzuki Cup

Last Five Meetings

31/01/2007 Singapore 2:1 (1:0) Thailand, Singapore, 2007 AFF Cup
14/02/2007 Thailand 1:1 (1:0) Singapore, Bangkok, 2007 AFF Cup
14/11/2009 Singapore 1:3 (0:1) Thailand, Singapore, Asian Cup Qualifier
18/11/2009 Thailand 0:1 (0:1) Singapore, Bangkok, Asian Cup Qualifier
17/01/2010 Thailand 1:0 (0:0) Singapore,Nakhon Ratchasima, 2010 King's Cup

Thailand Team News
*No available news at present

Singapore Team News
*No available news at present

2008 Objectives

2010-06-22T16:31:00.000+01:00

Back when Peter Reid was appointed national team coach in July 2008, FAT set two objectives.

1. Qualification for World Cup 2014
2. Setup up a National Reserve Team

Well, point one is still open, can they do it? Not when they can't score.

Point two, set up a National Reserve Team. At the time I didn't understand this point as we simply didn't have a good enough first team to begin with, never mind finding another 11 players to feel a B squad.

But this was all coming off the back of Thailand destroying Nepal 7-0 if I remember corerctly. Suddenly FAT thought they were world beaters and wanted to create two strong teams.

This never got off the ground. Objective never met. FAT never stick to there guns. Can they prove me wrong and stick to the 2014 world cup qualification?

Most recent Thai Squad Selection

2010-05-31T12:27:00.001+01:00

No. Pos. Player DoB (Age) Caps Goals Club

18 GK Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool March 23, 1982 (1982-03-23) (age 28) 53 0 Chonburi
1 GK Kawin Thamsatchanan January 26, 1990 (1990-01-26) (age 20) 6 0 Muangthong United

3 DF Natthaphong Samana June 29, 1984 (1984-06-29) (age 25) 35 1 Chonburi
5 DF Jietsada Jitsawad August 5, 1980 (1980-08-05) (age 29) 34 0 Muangthong United
4 DF Chonlatit Jantakam June 2, 1985 (1985-06-02) (age 24) 15 0 Chonburi
16 DF Panupong Wongsa November 23, 1983 (1983-11-23) (age 26) 13 0 Muangthong United
12 DF Suttinun Phukhom November 29, 1987 (1987-11-29) (age 22) 7 2 Chonburi
11 DF Piyachart Thamaphan April 4, 1986 (1986-04-04) (age 24) 2 0 Muangthong United

9 MF Therdsak Chaiman September 29, 1973 (1973-09-29) (age 36) 70 23 Chonburi
7 MF Datsakorn Thonglao December 30, 1983 (1983-12-30) (age 26) 69 8 Muangthong United
17 MF Sutee Suksomkit June 5, 1978 (1978-06-05) (age 31) 67 19 Bangkok Glass
10 MF Narongchai Vachiraban February 16, 1981 (1981-02-16) (age 29) 31 3 Insee Police United
8 MF Kriangkrai Pimrat February 20, 1987 (1987-02-20) (age 23) 1 0 Chonburi
6 MF Phaitoon Nontadee August 11, 1987 (1987-08-11) (age 22) 1 0 Muangthong United
15 MF Puritat Jarikanon August 1, 1989 (1989-08-01) (age 20) 1 0 Chonburi

14 FW Teeratep Winothai February 16, 1985 (1985-02-16) (age 25) 40 14 Muangthong United
13 FW Chayanan Phombuppha March 17, 1992 (1992-03-17) (age 18) 1 0 Muangthong United

Thailand Asian Cup Finals Results

2010-05-06T12:37:00.000+01:00

It's amazing what a bit of research can bring you.

Thailand's result's in Asian Cup finals for instance. Who would have thought of so many games against Iran and Iraq? Well, the evidence is here, it also shows how poor Thailand are aswell.

AFF Football Competitions - 2010

2010-04-25T13:51:00.000+01:00

AFF U19 Youth Championship, 22-31 July, Hanoi, Vietnam
AFF U16 Youth Championship, 18-27 September, Bandung, Indonesia
Asean Football Championship - Qualifiers, 22-30 October, Vientiane, Laos
Asean Football Championship, 01-29 December, Hanoi, Vietnam / Jakarta, Indonesia

Iran v Thailand - ACQ 03.03.10

2010-03-02T09:30:00.000Z

Iran v Thailand

Azadi Stadium, Tehran

Referee: Abdullah Balideh (Qatar)

Iran Squad:
GK: Mehdi Rahmati, Ebrahim Mirzapour, Sousha Makani
DF: Jalal Hosseini, Hadi Aghili, Mohammed Nosrat, Farshid Talebi, Hanif Omranzadeh, Khosro Heydari, Ehsan Hajsafi, Alireza Mohammad, Amir-Hossein Feshangchi
MF: Javad Nekounam, Andranik Teymourian, Pejman Nouri, Farzad Ashoubi, Ali Karimi, Iman Mobali, Milad Zanidpour, Mehrzad Madanchi
ST: Masoud Shojaei, Mohammad-Reza Khalatbar, Karim Ansarifard, Golamreza Rezaei, Milad Meydavoudi

Thailand Squad:
GK: Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool, Kawin Thamsatchanan
DF: Suree Sukha, Natthaphong Samana, Nataporn Phanrit, Panupong Wongsa, Chonlatit Jantakam , Suttinun Phukhom
MF: Rangsan Vivatchaichok, Datsakorn Thonglao, Suchao Nutnum, Sutee Suksomkit, Therdsak Chaiman, Narongchai Vachiraban, Surat Sukha, Phichiphong Cheuichieu, Wichaya Dechmitr
ST: Teerathep Winothai, Pipat Thonkanya ,Kirati Kaewsombut, Chatree Chimtalay

Head-to-head

Matches: 11
Iran won 8
Thailand won: 0
Draws: 3
Iran goals: 26
Thailand goals: 4

Robson picks squad for Asian Cup

2010-02-20T16:30:00.000Z

Goalkeepers: Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool and Kawin Thamsatchanan

Defenders: Suree Sukha, Natthaphong Samana, Nataporn Phanrit, Panupong Wongsa, Chonlatit Jantakam and Suttinun Phukhom

Midfielders: Rangsan Vivatchaichok, Datsakorn Thonglao, Suchao Nutnum, Sutee Suksomkit, Therdsak Chaiman, Narongchai Vachiraban, Surat Sukha and Phichiphong Cheuichieu

Strikers: Teerathep Winothai, Pipat Thonkanya and Kirati Kaewsombut

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/33211/robson-picks-squad-for-asian-cup

04.09.2010 Thailand - India

2010-02-05T18:35:00.001Z

Thailand v India

4th September 2010

18 preious meetings. The two countries last met in 2003. Time to renew the rivalry

2010 TPL Logo

2010-02-04T15:14:00.001Z

TTM Phichit Logo

2010-02-02T21:54:00.000Z

Say hello to this new baby...

Thai Clubs v Singapore Clubs

2010-01-31T21:29:00.000Z

Muang take on Singapore champions SAFFC on Saturday, so let's take a brief look at the history of Thai v Singapore clubs:

Played:32
Won: 14
Drawn: 5
Lost: 13

Of course, it's Muang's first adventure in Asian competition, so they have never come up against Singaporese opposition before. SAFFC on the other hand have met Thai oppostion on 5 occasions:

1999-2000 Asian Club Championship: SAFFC 1:1 Sinthana
1999-2000 Asian Club Championship: Sinthana 2:1 SAFFC
2001-02 Asian Club Championship: BEC 3:0 SAFFC
2001-02 Asian Club Championship: SAFFC 1:5 BEC
2009 AFC Champions League qualifier: PEA 1:4 SAFFC

Just last year SAFFC sent out a message to Thai clubs with a 4-1 victory over PEA. Something of a shock at the beginning of last season, but as the season moved on, it did become noticable that this PEA team wasn't anything like the PEA team that won the 2008 TPL.

In the 2001-02 ACC, SAFFC got a stuffing from BEC, but it must be said that this BEC team were practically the ASEAN king's of the team, if not the whole of Asia. BEC were the big spenders in the region at the time and surprised a hell of a lot of people in making the final of the ACL just a year later.

Saturdays game will be an interesting matchup. The tie could go either way. SAFFC are no pushovers, the only highlight i see at the moment is that they lost the big man Duric to S.League rivals Tampines, so set pieces we should be able to deal with, but here we go again - Thailand v Singapore in the greatest club event in Asia.

Myanmar in Thailand

2010-01-31T19:09:00.000Z

Myanmar have lined up two friendlies in Thailand:

01/02/10 v Royal Thai Army
03/02/10 v Thai Port

Part of Myanmar's preperations for the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup

Thai Clubs in Asia

2010-01-31T19:07:00.002Z

Asian Champions League
Muangthong came through the first ACL qualifier defeating Vietnames side Da Nang away from home 3-0. They now go onto meet SAFFC of Singapore.

It is Muangthong's first foray in Asian competition

AFC Cup
Thai Port represent Thailand in Asia's secondary competition. They are drawn against Tai Po of Hong Kong, Geylang Utd (Singapore) and ACL dropouts Da Nang (Vietnam)

Thai Port have played in the old Asian Club Championship on two occasions, way back in the 1987 and 1992 campaigns.

2010 Queen's Cup

2010-01-31T19:07:00.001Z

This year 16 clubs have entered the tournament jointly run by FAT and Chonburi F.C.

Group A - Air Force, BEC, Pattaya, Raj-Pracha (games played in Pattaya)
Group B - Police, Rajnavy, TOT, Hakka-Sriracha (games played in Rayong)
Group C - Thai Port, Samut Songkhram, Osotspa, Army (games played in Saraburi)
Group D - Chonbrui, Krung Thai Bank-BG Sport, Raj Vithi, Sinthana (games played in Chonburi)

2010 League Setup

2010-01-31T19:05:00.000Z

2010 League Setup

Premier League

16 clubs, 3 teams will be relegated, but it is unclear at this moment if a promotion / relegation pool will be played at the end of the season as the TPL aim to expand from 16 clubs to 18 clubs, with a view of hiting the 33 games ACL Criteria.

Clubs - Bangkok Glass, Bangkok United, BEC Tero Sasana, Chonburi, Muangthong Utd, Osotspa Saraburi, Pattaya United, Buriram PEA, Rajnavy Rayong, Royal Thai Army, Police United, Samut Songkhram, Sisaket, Thai Port, TOT-CAT, TTM Phichit

TOT renamed TOT-CAT (sponsor reasons)
TTM Samut Sakon renamed TTM Phichit (moved province)
PEA renamed Buriram PEA (new owners, moved location)

Division One

Clubs - Air Force United, Chang Chiangmai RBAC, Chanthaburi, Chaingrai Utd, Chula Utd, CD Phetchburi, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Pathom, Narathiwat, Prachinburi, PTT, Raj-Pracha Nonthaburi, Songkhla, Sriracha, Suphanburi, Thai Honda

Regional League

The Regional League (3rd tier) has been expanded to feature more provincial club sides. The football association are generally cashing in on the sudden up take on domestic football.

But it could be a case of running before they can walk.

Some clubs have switched regional league and absurdly, 3 teams are using one ground, yet they don't play in the same regional division.

Chiang Rai have also entered a new team, since last years Chiang Rai got promoted, so we now have two Chiang Rai's in the football setup.

Northern League

Kamphaeng Phet, Chainat, Chiangmai, Chaingrai, Nakhon Sawan, Tak, Lampang, Phayao, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchbun, Phare Utd, Singburi, Sukhothai, Uttraadit, Uthai Thani

North East League

Buriram, Chaiyaphun, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Mahasarakham, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Loei City, Surin, Sakhon Nakon, Udon Thani, Ubon Tiger, Nong Khai, Yasothon, Nong Bua Lamphu, Kalasin

Central-East League

Cha Choeng Sao, Nakhon Nayok, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Lopburi, Saraburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Muangkan, Phetchburi, Ang Thong, Sa Kaeo, Prachinburi Utd, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Kabinburi

Southern League

Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Pattani, Phattulang, Phukey, Yala, Satun, Surat Thani, Trang, Ranong, Phang Nga, Chumphin, Hat Yai

Bangkok League

Thai Air Look Issan, Bangkok Christian College, Bangkok Bravo, Bangkok North Central, Kasetsart Uni, Kasem Bundit, Rangsit Uni, Nakhon Sawan Uni, Thai Summit, Raj Vithi, Rose Asia, Nonthaburi, Uni of North Bangkok

2011 King's Cup

2010-01-26T12:41:00.000Z

2011 edition of the King's Cup is set to be played in Phichit.

This announcement comes ever so early...

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/31754/ticket-money-sent-to-haiti

Have you faith in Robson??

2010-01-24T12:40:00.000Z

I for one don't.

I think he's tactically inept.

He's just had 3 games to work out his squad for the crucial Asian Cup qualifier against Iran. A game, that we really need to win. A draw might squeeze us through, but come on, a win puts us on the plane to Qatar.

Recently, Robson has been using the 4-5-1 formation. Why? To keep clean sheets? It's not working against good opposition. It may well work against other middle ranking Asian nations, but i don't think it will work against much better Asian oppostion such as Iran. Not away from home anyway.

If Robson continues to use 4-5-1, then surely he needs a target man to hold up the ball? It seems he wants busy players, loose chickens to run around, chase things down. But international football isn't about this.

I think Robson is the weak link of the national team setup. Maybe it's not his fault. For one, I don't think he picks the players, actually, I don't think he could pick the players as he has never seen more than 3 TPL games - so its not his fault, and his faith is on his assitant Steve Darby to make most of the decisions - if FAT allows him.

Currently we are lacking goals, confidence from our front men must be low. Surely its time to use a bit of experience, 3 matches have juts gone, and it wasn't used.

Robson simply doesn't know enough about Asian football to make any kind of difference. There's many lesser known Europeans, mainly Eastern European, that could do a fair better job - but their name would never catch for Thai popularity. Yemeni coach Srecko Juricic comes to mind.

Come Tehran, Robson has to win me over. He has to go out andd attack Iran. If we lose we lose, but we have to go out fighting. If we sit back and hope not to concede and catch them on the break, then i simply see this as negative football and can see us being a joke in Qatar.

Robson could draw the game 0-0 and still go out. But Robson will claim a morale victory. Yes, it would be a good result away to Iran, but not the result that is needed in the circumstance.

I for one am losing patience with Robson and if we don't win in Tehran or at least go down fighting, i will be calling for his head.

So come on Robbo, show us why you were a manager in the most exciting league in the world and give us fans something to cheer about rather than sit back and just simply hope.

Thailand Selection V Ulsan Hyundai - 13th Jan

2010-01-12T16:25:00.000Z

Promotion / Relegation Issues

2010-01-11T13:46:00.000Z

Rumour has it, 4 teams will be relegated from the TPL this year.

So four promotions from DIV 1, which in turn has 4 teams relegated.

All we need to know now is, how many leagues are we having in the Regional setup!!

Bloody Thai Football

2010-01-10T14:58:00.000Z

I brought some news yesterday involving the coaching merry go round that we have.

Today, reports suggest everything has changed again. PEA have their original coach. TOT have their original coach. Why? Who knows? Only in Thai football can this circus happen

TOT unveil new owner

2010-01-09T17:40:00.000Z

TOT have a new owner; Piroj Suwannachavee, he takes over from Wasukree Klapairee.

First move he has done is to bring back former coach Pongphan Wongsuwan.

Former Bangkok Uunited coach Somchai Subpherm gets the boot straight away.

Buriram PEA

2010-01-09T17:37:00.000Z

PEA - It just goes from bad to worse for the club.

They upped sticks in pre-season, now so has the new coach Pongphan Wongsuwan. Without playing a competitive game, he has already gone back to former club TOT.

PEA just can't get it right off the field. The glory season of 2008 seems a very distant memory now.

Asian Cup Qualifier: Thailand 0 - 0 Jordan

2010-01-06T21:17:00.000Z

Thailand: Kosin Hathairattanakool, Suree Sukha, Nattapong Samana, Panupong Wongsa (C), Nattaporn Phanrit, Rangsan Vivatchaichok, Pichitpong Choichieu, Suchao Nutnum, Sutee Suksomkit, Narongchai Vachiraban, Teeratep "Leesaw" Winothai.

Subs: Kawin Thamasatchanon, Suttinan Phukhom, Anawin Jujeen, Therdsak Chaiman, Pipat Tonkanya, Keerati Keawsombat, Anon Sangsanoi

Right, i've read the excellant report from http://thaiportfc.blogspot.com/2010/01/2011-asian-cup-qual-thailand-0-0-jordan.html and will now give my two pence worth.

Tactics

Looks like a 4-5-1 formation at home to a half decent Jordan. But let's face it, Jordan aren't exactly world beaters. So why we fearing them? Why not play two up front, or lets be honest, two recognised strikers up front. I do tend to see most of our strikers as wingers in all fairness.

Generally, yes, we had a strong squad out. Datsakorn Thonglao and Surat Sukha being the only notable players not to feature. But, against this Jordan team, someone else should be able to step up and take control and be the falir player.

Winothai up front? For me no, as an attacking winger yes. I've said this before, but it seems as though there is so much pressure on him to deliver, that he just can't do it, he needs someone else up top to help him.

Subs

Why Pipat only came on for 3 minutes is beyond me? Does Robson not understand that a win at home was a must. Pipat should have been thrown on much earlier. Robson should of at least had a good last quarter of an hour throwing the kitchen sink at Jordan.

Keerati Keawsombat - he's new to the setup, he needs more experience. Surely Pipat should have been on before Keerati? Is Keerati really that much better than Anon Sangsanoi? Ok, Anon hasn't really done it at national level either, but surely the BEC hitman could have done something with a bit of service?

Therdsak Chaiman - I think it was expected that he'd make a cameo appearance. Probably a good move, but coming on for Sutee? Sutee is a flair player, i think another 10 minutes out of Sutee wouldn't have hurt.

Thailand need goals

Thailand are struggling to score in the games that really count. Maybe Sompong Soleb, whom had a decent SEA Games could have been included in the match day squad to be thrown on? He's been on fire. It might of paid off. Would it have paid off?

Cautious Robson

Ok, he didn't want to lose. A loss and Thailand would have been packing their bags already. Does Robson think this is a good result? Can he see us going to Tehran to gain victory? I don't. I see Robson getting sacked.

Tomorrow, he can claim he's still in the running. But the game was there today to win. He should have thrown the kitchen sink at Jordan in the last 15 minutes. They wouldn't have stood the pressure. This is a Jordan team that drew with poor old Malaysia in September. It's not a UAE or Bahraini team that would have proved too difficult.

Jordan will be much the happier with today's result. And they will feel that they can beat Singapore on home soil and take 2nd spot. For Thailand, well, victory in Iran would be something amazing in all reality. Lets just hope Iran take the foot off the gas a little.

Criteria for Participation in 2011 ACL

2010-01-05T18:40:00.000Z

The AFC has released the criteria to enter the Champions League for the 2011 and 2012seasons, view at your own lesiure here:

http://www.the-afc.com/uploads/Documents/regulation/clubcriteria.pdf

Interesting to note that the AFC will not allow any game to be 'fixed' in the past three seasons, interesting criteria in deed.

As in the last assement done in 2008, it's interesting to note that promotion/relegation is required. It smacks me that Austalia don't fullfil this but still got entry.

Of course, each Member Association (MA) doesn't have to fullfil everything, they just have to score highly and then the AFC hand out the allocations.

For reference, the following nations have asked to participate:

East Asia

Already participating: Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea
Keen to participate: Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

West Asia

Already participating: Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Uzbekistan
Keen to participate: Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Tajikistan, Yemen

Nations already participating will get allocations, but may lose or gain more 'slots'.

Nations keen to participate will have to be approved, something i can't see the likes of Pakistan, Yemen and Myanmar achieving.

To add more to criteria, the AFC has also stated that in 2012, will include having a league that has at least 12 teams in the top division, no fewer than 33 matches a season per team, and a minimum of 20 players under professional contracts at each club.

So we need a 33 game season!!! Time to expand the league or reduce and play each other 3 or 4 times.

2010 AFF Suzuki Cup

2010-01-03T19:34:00.000Z

Sponsors, the World Sport Group has put the championship into their events diary for the year.

Set to start on 1st December until 29th.

World Sport Group are the event organisers and run everything from start to finish.

TOT hire new coach

2009-12-29T17:39:00.000Z

Somchai Subpherm has been unveiled as the new TOT coach. He arrives from Bangkok United.

Somchai replaces Pongphan Wongsuwan who moved to PEA Buriram in November.

Bangkok United will now be on the lookout for a new head coach.

Bkk Glass.....2009 Super Cup Champions

2009-12-27T12:57:00.000Z

First silverware for the Glass Rabbits, and done in style winning their final game against TPL Champs Munag 4-2, coming from two goals down

Down memory lane

2009-12-27T12:31:00.000Z

The unlikiest of venues for international football

Oman 2 - 1 North Korea

24th December, 2005

2005 King's Cup

Krabi Stadium

Krabi witnessed Korean Nam Song-Chol score his first and so far only international goal. The defender is now set to feature in the upcoming World Cup. Who would have imagined that back in 2005?

Thailand 1 - 1 Latvia

24th December, 2005

2005 King's Cup

Phang Nga Stadium

Phang Nga witnessed Teeratep Winothai's first full international goal. How many people would have witnessed this? This is so far, Leesaw's only goal against European opposition. Will their be any more?

29.12 Thailand V Zimbabwe

2009-12-25T10:34:00.001Z

Super Cup - Day One Action Shots

2009-12-22T19:12:00.001Z

Muang Thong 1 - 2 Chonburi

Bangkok Glass 3 - 2 BEC Tero

Thailand - Oman game Cancelled

2009-12-21T19:43:00.000Z

Was this game ever really taking part? Just wishful thinking on Thailand's part if you ask me.

Oman will take on Singapore on the 28th and 31st of December cancelling on Thailand. But the Thai media never said anything on the game and the Omani media only ever promoted a Singapore double header.

Seem's once again, FAT telling the world before anything has been signed and delivered. Numpty's once again.

http://www.fat.or.th/web/news_detail.php?nid=01849 - FAT Cancelation notice

Oman Observer media thread - Oman soccer team to leave for Singapore on Friday
MUSCAT — The Oman national football team will leave for Singapore on Friday to undergo a training camp. According to a press release issued by the Oman Football Association (OFA) yesterday, the camp is being organised as part of the team’s preparations for the an away Asian Cup qualifying match against Indonesia scheduled to be played on January 6. During the training camp, Claude le Roy-coahed Omanis will be play two friendly matches against Singapore national team on December 28 and 31. The team will then proceed Jakarta on January 1 where they will continue their training till the match day.

http://www.omanobserver.com/

Thailand V Jordan - Jan 6th 2010

2009-12-21T12:20:00.001Z

The games just around the corner......

2009-12-20T09:29:00.000Z

Thailand squad
The following players are the 27 men squad who were called up for match against Jordan on 6 January 2010 and presumably the friendly against Oman??
Caps and goal as of 18 November 2009.

No. Pos. Player DoB (Age) Caps Goals Club
18 GK Sintaweechai Hathairattanakool March 23, 1982 (1982-03-23) (age 27) 51 0 Persib Bandung
1 GK Kittisak Rawangpa January 3, 1975 (1975-01-03) (age 34) 45 0 Bangkok Glass
40 GK Kawin Thammasatchanon January 26, 1990 (1990-01-26) (age 19) 0 0 Muang Thong United

6 DF Nattaporn Phanrit January 11, 1982 (1982-01-11) (age 27) 50 2 Muang Thong United
2 DF Suree Sukha July 27, 1982 (1982-07-27) (age 27) 49 2 Chonburi
3 DF Natthaphong Samana June 29, 1984 (1984-06-29) (age 25) 31 1 Chonburi
32 DF Kiatprawut Saiwaeo January 24, 1986 (1986-01-24) (age 23) 16 0 Chonburi
20 DF Panupong Wongsa November 23, 1983 (1983-11-23) (age 26) 6 0 Muang Thong United
52 DF Suttinan Phuk-hom November 29, 1987 (1987-11-29) (age 22) 2 0 Chonburi
53 DF Peter Läng April 16, 1986 (1986-04-16) (age 23) 2 0 Schaffhausen
DF Piyachart Tamaphan April 4, 1986 (1986-04-04) (age 23) 0 0 Muang Thong United

7 MF Datsakorn Thonglao December 30, 1983 (1983-12-30) (age 25) 64 8 Hoang Anh Gia Lai
17 MF Sutee Suksomkit June 5, 1980 (1980-06-05) (age 29) 62 18 Melbourne Victory
42 MF Therdsak Chaiman September 29, 1973 (1973-09-29) (age 36) 61 26 Chonburi
8 MF Suchao Nuchnum May 17, 1983 (1983-05-17) (age 26) 43 6 Persib Bandung
19 MF Pichitphong Choeichiu August 28, 1982 (1982-08-28) (age 27) 41 2 Muang Thong United
43 DF Nirut Surasiang February 20, 1979 (1979-02-20) (age 30) 38 4 Hoang Anh Gia Lai
22 DF Rangsan Viwatchaichok January 22, 1979 (1979-01-22) (age 30) 15 1 Buriram PEA
15 MF Surat Sukha July 27, 1982 (1982-07-27) (age 27) 15 0 Melbourne Victory
19 MF Adul Lahso September 19, 1986 (1986-09-19) (age 23) 1 0 Chonburi
15 MF Anawin Jujeen March 13, 1987 (1987-03-13) (age 22) 0 0 Bangkok Glass

14 FW Teeratep Winothai February 16, 1985 (1985-02-16) (age 24) 35 13 Muang Thong United
10 FW Teerasil Dangda June 6, 1988 (1988-06-06) (age 21) 30 16 Muang Thong United
45 FW Pipat Thonkanya January 4, 1979 (1979-01-04) (age 30) 28 14 Persisam Samarinda
13 FW Anon Sangsanoi March 21, 1984 (1984-03-21) (age 25) 8 2 BEC Tero Sasana
FW Keerati Keawsombat January 12, 1987 (1987-01-12) (age 22) 2 0 TOT
FW Sompong Soleb July 30, 1986 (1986-07-30) (age 23) 0 0 Thai Port

Looking back at.....1998 AFC U-17 Championship

2009-12-18T21:31:00.000Z

Asian Champions....... Thailand

Runners Up................ Qatar

Semi-Finalists............ Bahrain, Korea Republic

Oh, the glory days of Thai footballl in the 90's.

Runners up in the 1996 edition as the hosts, to winners in the 98' edition in the desert of Doha, Qatar.

Two succesive apperances in a FIFA World Cup. Boy, the 90's were the days that Thailand struck fear into Asia, with TFB double winners of the Asian Club Chmpionship and Thailand's youth having succesful campaigns in Youth Championships.

What's happened to these day's? The rest of Asia generally picked up and became more professional, we just sat until now, but can we become top dog again? Let's hope so.

So, to as the title suggested, the 1998 AFC U-17 Championship.

Hosted at the 18,000 capacity Grand Hamad Stadium, more likely known throughout West Asia as the Al Arabi Stadium, and host to Al Arabi Sports Club.

The competition featured 10 teams. Thailand qualified by winning qualification group 9, played in Chonburi and featured Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei, which in this day and age would be your AFF Youth Championship.

Qualification was secured with 25 goals in 3 games, something to be feared and rightly so.

The 1998 championship featured two groups of 5 teams. Top two teams advance to the semi-final stage.

Group Table:

Group Results

Impressive early victories against Iran and Iraq gave the young lads the confidence to battle through to the next round......

Semi's & Final

Bahrain proved to be no match at all for the firing 'War Elephants'. All that stood in the way now, was a rematch with host's Qatar.

Thailand kept their nerve and duly won 3-2 on penalties and were crowned Kings of Asia. All that waited now, was the FIFA Youth Championship world Cup!!

Thailand - Oman (27.12.09)

2009-12-15T22:39:00.000Z

Relooking at Rattana Bundit

2009-12-09T15:21:00.000Z

You may remember the previous article I did on 1st November.

http://thaifootballnews.blogspot.com/2009/11/time-for-closer-look-atrattana-bundit.html

Well, you may remember that they have previously played under the names of SET FC and BMA FC. You can now add Rattana Bundit to the former names list.

Chang, the beer elephant company took sponsorship of the club and in turn renamed them as Chang Chiangmai RBAC, and of course, did the customary move.

Now what is puzzling me, is that Chiang Mai already have a team and a well supported team at that. Is it possible that these two teams have merged together? The club badges would make it look so. Oh well, still waiting for anything official in the English written media!

National Team News

2009-12-09T15:04:00.000Z

I have been informed that the Indian national team are looking to setup a training camp in Bangkok with an eye on playing the Thai national team in February as they build up to the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup. Nothing as of yet is confirmed, but preperations are being made.

The Challenge Cup is for developing footballing nations.

It could be suggested that once their here, they would want warm up games against club sides aswell, of which i feel would be a good test for our clubsides.

Prepare yourself Thai Port....

2009-11-10T19:36:00.000Z

....the 2010 AFC Cup will soon be here. You will of course be drawn in the East Asian side amongest the following:

Geylang United (Singapore Cup winners)
Binh Duong (V League runners up)
South China (HK League Winners)
Tai Po (HK FA Cup winners)
VB Sports Club (Dhivehi League winners - Maldives)
Victory SC (Maldives FA Cup winners)
Selangor (Malaysian League winners)
Negeri Sembilan (Malaysian FA Cup winners)

and also 3 champions league playoff losers.

So who you fancy?

Congratulations Pohang Steelers...

2009-11-07T18:28:00.000Z

... on winning the 2009 Asian Champions League, their 3rd title in the competition.

Best of luck in the CWC in December

One eye on Singapore

2009-11-04T21:21:00.000Z

Singapore took to the field today defeating Indonesia 3 - 1.

The dangerman?

Big Alexsandr Duric, he's getting on know, but still scores goals. Will be a threat in the air against Thailand.

Although Singapore won, i can't really see what this match today brought. Again, it was another regional matchup, surely the fans are fed up of seeing all ASEAN friendly matchups, especially after having AFF Championships every two years.

Our ASEAN neighbours need to think out of the bowl a little and get better matchups.

Maybe Singapore, you could say, were playing a team similiar to Thailand, but boy, these games do get boring now.

Welcome Syria.....

2009-11-04T21:02:00.000Z

The Syrian national team should be arriving any minute now. Expect a rousy reception at the airport? No chance.

Syria Themselves

So what do we know about them?

So far this year, they have played 14 games in this calendar year, thus far winning 10 of them, but whom have they played?

Well, they beat China in January in an ACQ, but it must be said, this is a weak China.

Besides then drawing with South Korea, Syria have generally faced oppostition they and Thailand would expect to beat. The likes of Lebanon, Sri Lanka and Kyrgyzstan.

The bulk of the games have also been played in the Indian Nehru Cup, of which Thailand were invited too, and then turned away after giving the Indian authorites an Under 19 team lineup.

Syria played well at the tournament, but sucummbed to an average Indian team in the final. An Indian team I would expect Thailand to beat home or away.

Past Meetings

We have met on 3 previous occasions, all on neutral ground and the last meeting being way back in 1984. Thailand have won all 3 encounters.

13/07/78 Thailand 3 - 1 Syria (Kuala Kumpur, Friendly)
23/11/82 Thailand 3 - 1 Syria (New Delhi, Friendly)
13/08/84 Thailand 3 - 2 Syria (Jakarta, Asian Cup Qualifier)

My opinion on Syria

My honest opinion... an up and coming team in Asia. More often than not, overlooked by their Arab neighbours.

They get the job done on home soil against weaker nations, but can struggle away from home.

Domestic league teams have faired well in continental competitions, particulary Al Karamah, but when the going gets tough, they can well struggle.

Should be a good matchup against Thailand, but with players just coming back from AFC Cup action, we should catch them on a bit of a downer and possibly catch them cold.

Hopefully, it will be a kick start for Robson's new Thai Army

Congratulations Al Kuwait

2009-11-04T10:22:00.000Z

Well done Al Kuwait on winning the 2009 AFC Cup on home soil against Al Karamah of Syria.

Another victory for a West Asian side. Can Thai Port bring some glory back to the East next year?

Not just Thai clubs changing names.....

2009-11-01T20:41:00.001Z

HANOI (1 Nov 2009) – Fourth Military Zone have become the second team in the V-League to be taken over a private corporation following that of The Cong.

National army team The Cong was renamed after their long-time sponsor Viettel last month while this time round, Navibank have taken over the administration of Fourth Military Zone.

“Navibank have bought the club, so the club will be called Navibank. I and all the players will also be managed by the bank,” said head coach Vu Quang Baoen.

HCMC-based Navibank will make a public announcement of the new name in Ho Chi Minh City this week.

http://www.aseanfootball.org/news_d.asp?id=1088

Robson Watch

2009-11-01T19:02:00.000Z

It's fair to say that Bryan Robson didn't pick the squad for the recent Kata Cup tournament played down in Phuket, but did he take any notice of the personnel on show?

Robson's first real opportunity to show us that he is an international football manager comes next week against Syria. A Syrian side that is more than likely going to be depleted due to the majorty of the sqaud playing for Syrian national champions Al Karamah in the AFC Cup final on Tuesday.

What can we expect to see from Robson's first match in charge? Who knows, but this is my call....

Without knowing the squad, i will use my crystal ball.

I expect to see Kittisak Rawangpa back in goal due to Kosin flying off to Indonesia. I think Kittisak is needed as an old head for the double header with Singapore ahead.

Nattaporn Phanrit has always impressed me in defence, probably due to the fact that i saw him score his first two international goals, but at times he does lack concentration along with Nattaphong Samana, whom some people rave about, but personally i can't stand him. But i d see these guys taking a centre back and left back spot

Therdsak Chaiman to be used for 20 minutes at the end of the game to 'up' the tempo, which may well be needed against Singapore. May be too risky to play he with Thonglao due to both being playmakers.

We need some kind of midfield destroyer, Surat Sukha comes to mind, but, lets assume he's often unavailable due to being in 'oz', so Nuchnum or Choeichiu, i like these guys, they are steady going.

Up front, last year Dangda impressed me in the air, but doesn't do much else, so i'd like to see a livewire playing, and everyone knows i'm calling for Anon Sangsanoi to be included on a more regular basis.

So Bryan, there's my early thoughts, what about yours?

Time for a closer look at....Rattana Bundit

2009-11-01T18:44:00.000Z

Rattana Bundit Football Club

Nickname: RBAC
Founded: 1998 off the back of BMA
Stadium: Rattana Bundit University Stadium

Honours

1998 Yamaha Cup

History

Rattana Bundit FC were born off the back of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration FC whom went bankrupt in the Asian Finanical Crisis of 1998. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration FC themselves took over from SET FC (Stock Exchange of Thailand) in similar circumstances in the early years of the Thailand Premier League.

SET FC reached the championship final playoff match in 1997 were they came up against Bangkok Bank FC in which they lost 2-0. Bangkok Bank FC therefore claimed in the inaugural Thailand Premier League title and SET FC claimed the runners up spot.

Following a new set-up for the Thailand Premier League 1997 season, SET FC, played under the name Bangkok Metropolitan Administration FC and cam in a creditable 7th position. The following year, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration FC fell down the league table and finished in 11th position, which forced the club to enter the promotion / relegation end of season playoff match. Here they met Assumption Sriraja. This year also saw Bangkok Metropolitan Administration FC first piece of silverware as they won the 14th Yamaha Thailand Cup, beating Nakhon Si Thammarat in the final.

In the Thailand Premier League 1999 season they moved up the table and finished in 9th position, an improvement on the previous year. The Thailand Premier League 2000 season was BMA's last as they finished in 4th position but feel on hard times and were replaced by Rattana Bundit FC the following year in the Thailand Premier League. It is believed that the club uses the same badge but plays under a different name from BMA and has closer links to the university in the area.

In their first appearance in the Premier League under their newly formed club, Rattana succumbed to relegation to the Thailand Division 1 League, after they could only total 18 points and only 10 goals in 22 matches in a very poor season.

Since relegation, Rattana have been a mid table team in the 1st Division and occasionally playing with fire in the relegation spots, only to pull away in the closing stages of the season.

Previous Names
SET FC (Stock Exchange of Thailand FC)
BMA FC (Bangkok Metropolitan Administration FC)

This article, it must be sadi, was created with the help of Wikipedia, but none the less, I created that article, so take full credit!!

Dates for the Diary

2009-10-30T19:49:00.000Z

Jan 17th - 23rd - 40th King's Cup

Mar 6 - Start of FA Cup

Mar 6/7 - Start of TPL

Mar 9/10 - Start of Div 1

Apr 1 - Start of Regional Leagues

Dec 1 to 29 - 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup

Special Announcment

2009-09-23T21:16:00.000+01:00

With immediate effect, this blog will now go on hold.

Come 8 months down the line, there will be a little Druryfire running around. Names in a postcard (or comment) please. Many thanks for my lovely wife Suwanlee for putting up with me. Married one year and still going strong.

You never know, SEA Games 2029, there might just be a 'Drury' lifting that cup!

The time has now come, to put blogging to the side.

Many thanks to all you guys who have taken the time to read the blog in the past, but don't worry, i'm sure i will be back to blog again in the future. As for now, you can find me on the www.thaifootball.com forum.

Many Regards

Adam

Regional League South Division

2009-09-20T21:47:00.000+01:00

Regional League South Division is the 3rd Level League in Thailand. It was formed in 2009 along with other four other regional leagues, all playing at the same level. The winner of each regional league enter the Regional League Championships to determine the three teams that will receive promotion to the Thai Division 1 League

League History
Formed in 2009, initally 9 clubs applied to be part of the new setup; Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phattalung, Phuket, Satun, Yala and Tartauo. Come decision day, Tartauo either failed to apply on time, or were not accepted into the new setup.

Narathiwat and Satun were the only two teams with previous experience in the Thai football league system.

Narathiwat won the first ever championship and took the Regional League championship allocation, winning the division on goal difference from Satun.

Timeline

2009: 1st ever Regional League South starts.
2009: 1 club (Phuket) enters the FA Cup
2009: 8 Clubs enter first ever championship

Championship History

Season 2009:

1st: Narathiwat
2nd: Satun
3rd: Nakhon Si Thammarat

More can be found in the new article i've created: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_League_South_Division

2010 King's Cup

2009-09-20T21:39:00.000+01:00

Ok, no news here.

Just want to rattle a few brains and keep to the back of your minds.

When will the yearly King's Cup be played in 2010?

Normally at the beginning of the year or right at the end. So lets look at a few possibilties:

Early 2010 - Off the back of the Asian Cup qualifier against Jordan. Could be a good opportunity to bring in such nations as Denmark (again) and Sweden, who may well use games to build up for the World Cup, should give us some good match pratcice for the Asian Cup game against Iran.

Late 2010 - hopefully we will have qualified for Qatar 2011, so what better practice for that than getting a King's Cup title under out belts?

Who would you like to see appear, assuming the King's Cup is played??

Early 2010, i'd like to see us test the likes of Bahrain, lets see what is just special about them. But then again, they will have a full schedule come then (about 4games in Asian Cup to get in.)

Late 2010, 2011 Asian cup hosts Qatar, nothing better than piting off against an West Asian nation.

Personally, i'd like to see us entertain more Middle Eastern nations, we normally fall short against these nations when it matters, so maybe we should get more practice in against them?

So, i'm thinking it this already, mayeb to far ahead of myself. But i would like to know what Bryan Robso is thinking? Games, preperation or beach?

Reid's Going, who's coming in?

2009-08-29T10:41:00.000+01:00

Ok, Ok, will he won't he, no matter what, Peter Reid has been looking for a way out. And it all happened on the day that the September issue of World Soccer had an intervew with the Thai coach and how he was liking it here.

So, who will take over?

Bar Steve Darby, who seems to have it sown (and why not, when qualifiers are not far around the corner).

In the future, we will see the likes of Tawan Sripan and Zico being out forward, but first of all they need to gain that experience and possibly even have a couple of years abroad learning different tactics and techniques. It possible wouldn't be bad to get on the coaching staff of an A-Legaue or J-League team.

The next best thing we can look for is a foriegn coach, but if this was to happen, then personally i would go for someone who knows the region well. Reid came in and had to adapt, would it benefit us if someone could just jump in and get up and running straight away? Thats not to say Reid did bad, but with games left, right and centre all the time, and with points at stake, people need to know what they are dealing with. Thats why it makes sense to hire Steve Darby as the next coach.

One other name i think highly of, is the Australian Scott O'Donnell, currently the coach of Cambodia for the SEA Games, how would he fair? Well, he knows the region and mentality, and has a bundle of enthusiasm for the game. He's young enough to get the lads motivated. So, ok, he's been in Cambodia, but he's moved the game single handly to be on a professional stance.

Another coach who could work short term would be Laos coach Alfred Riedl, again preparing for the SEA Games. Ok, he's old, and would definatly be short term, but he nows the game well and would more thnan likely jump at the chance to coach the regional powerhouse.

Phillippe Troussier, the Frenchman and former coach of Japan would come highly recommended, but the downfall would be that he would want full power from top to bottom, something that i don't think is needed in Thailand

Peter Reid set to resign

2009-08-27T12:11:00.000+01:00

Peter Reid has reached agreement with the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) to leave his post as its national team coach to become Stoke's assistant manager, English media reported yesterday.

Peter Reid signed a four-year contract with the Thai FA last September. FILE PHOTO
"Once everything was sorted out with the Thai FA, which was important because I did have three years left on a deal there and I didn't want to upset anyone there, I was delighted to say yes and be part of it," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I enjoyed it there. The players are technically very very good. It's a great place to live in terms of the culture and the climate," the English coach said.
"But the Premier League is the greatest league in the world and I'm English through and through. Even though it was very difficult to leave, it was always my ambition to come back here and work."

The 53-year-old, who signed a four-year contract with the FAT last September, was expected to be in the dugout last night when Stoke took on Leyton Orient in the League Cup.

Reid insists he has no problem with taking on the role of a number two.
"I did the same thing at Manchester City and Everton, and the England Under-21s, so it's not a problem," he said.

"Anything to do with football I enjoy. I enjoy being involved with the players. The role is fine, it will do for me as long as I can have an impact here and help this club grow stronger."

The former Leeds and Sunderland manager added: "The club has done fantastic staying in the Premier League. We've got a battle on this season but it's important I can help the players and Tony Pulis to improve and make the club stronger - that's my job.

"Number two doesn't matter. As long as I can have some input into making this club stronger."

Stoke's interest in Reid stepped up a gear last week when Pulis contacted the former England midfielder to sound him out.

"I saw him on a social occasion and he flagged it up," said Reid.

"I was due to fly out to Dubai last Friday and I got a call in the morning (saying) could I get down here and we had a chat and we clicked. I've known Tony numerous years."

FAT secretary-general Ong-art Kosinkha said: "News from the BBC is often trustworthy."

He said the matter could become clear today after FAT president Worawi Makudi, who is in England as guest of the English FA, talked to Reid."We should get a conclusion tomorrow," Ong-art said.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/22756/reid-confirms-he-leaving-for-stoke

Thailand U19 - Champions of ASEAN

2009-08-12T19:39:00.000+01:00

Thailand Under 19's did it and lifted the Regional Youth Championship in Vietnam.

They did it the hard way, drawing 2-2 with Australia before beating them 3-2 on penalties.

On each occasion, Thailand took the lead with Australia replyign late into injury time.

Under 19's in Final action

2009-08-11T21:30:00.000+01:00

The Thai Under 19 team take on Australia in the final of the AFF Youth Championship.

Australia are the defending champions after lifting the trophy last year in Bangkok.

Australia have lifted the championship twice, whereas Thailand have always tended to struggle.

Tomorrow in Vietnam, it could be a completly different matter. Both teams drew 1-1 in the group stage.

Should be an interesting final and good preperation for the upcoming AFC qualifiers

AFF Youth Championship

2009-08-04T15:26:00.000+01:00

GREAT START FOR THAILAND AND VIETNAM

HO CHI MINH CITY (4 August 2009) – Thailand and Vietnam got just the start they wanted in the AFF Under-19 Championship as they each picked up full points over their respective opponents to put them on a confident mood for their second match in two days.In Group A, Thailand sidestepped Cambodia 3-0 as Singapore held Australia to a 1-1 draw in the other match of the day.In Group B, hosts Vietnam edged Malaysia 2-0 while for Myanmar they were awarded with a 3-0 win for a walkover following the failure of Timor Leste to turn up for their tie.But the rain which has been steadily hitting the city for the past week affected the quality of the matches being played.

At the Thong Nhat Stadium, the Thais who have been steadily building up to this tournament over the last two weeks, scored their first goal of the game in the 41st minute through Adisak Krisorn for the 1-0 lead at the half.But Cambodia held fast after the break but as the match wore on under constant Thai pressure, their desperation saw defender Thong Oudom being red carded in the 57th minute.

With the advantage, Sarach Yooyen then carved the second goal for Thailand in the 73rd minute before Natthawut Khamrin wrapped things up with the third and final goal of the evening six minutes to the end.Hosts Vietnam found Malaysia a hard nut to crack in the first half and only prised open their opponent’s defence two minutes after the break through Nguyen Dinh Bao.In the match that saw a flurry of cards being flashed, Vietnam captain Nguyen Van Quyet then sealed the points for the homesters with the second goal just a minute after the hour mark.

Over at the Thang Long Mini Stadium, it was Australia who created the first real chance of the game when in the fifth minute, Joshua McVey took a shot from close range which was parried by Singapore custodian Neezam Abdul Razak.Neezam was again in his element four minutes later as this time he blocked Cameron Edwards’ attempt for a futile corner.

Singapore’s best chance of the half was in the 12th minute but striker Khairul Nizam Kamal could not beat Australian keeper Mark Birighitti.In the 20th minute of play, Australia finally went in front when McVey delivered a cross for the unmarked Eli Babalj to head home from close range.The game went into higher after that but it failed to change the scoreline at the break.Singapore came out stronger in the second half and in the 65th minute, they finally found the equaliser when an incisive pass from Syafiq Zainal was picked up by Khairul Nizam who blasted it past Birighitti for the well-deserved equaliser.

In the 78th minute, Mohd Shakir hamzah was red carded for an off the ball incident against Australia’s McVey.“We created a lot of chances in the first half and we should have scored several goals,” said Johannes Versleijen, the head coach for Australia.Replied Salim Moin, the head coach for Singapore: “we were better in the second half and if it had not been for the red card, perhaps we could have won the match.”In the meantime, Myanmar picked up the full three points without having to kick a ball when Timor Leste failed to make it to the game.

The Timorese will arrive only later in the night.

http://www.aseanfootball.org/headlines_01.asp?id=962

Going back in time...........TPL 1996/97

2009-08-04T14:56:00.000+01:00

Looking back at the formation of the TPL. Where were you back in 1996/97??

Bangkok Bank were greatly receiving the first ever TPL Championship, - how times have changed - they're no longer with us.

The Structure

18 clubs took centre stage, primilary from Bangkok to fight for a top four finish to enter the end of season playoffs to be crowned champions.

Were the end of season playoffs a success? Well, no, they were never used again. They were possibly created to mirror the structure of West Asian countries, which send their top 4 teams into another competition.

6 clubs, would be relegated, thats quite a lot. I can only assume at the beginning of the TPL, 18 clubs enetered an were accepted, with no serious lower level football to go into , they then generally had to take part until a proper structure was formed.

So, the TPL had 18 clubs, playing each team twice to make 34 games, quite a lot of games in the earlier days, which would drastically be changed within the enxt few season.

6 clubs would get releagted, and 4 entering a championship playoff.

The championship playoffs

The top four, Thai Farmers Bank, TOT, Bangkok Bank and SET FC met in two semi-finals.

Highly fancied Thai Farmers Bank, coming off the back of two Asian Champions League victories in 1994 and 1995 would meet the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET FC). Two very original names!.

SET FC just scraped into the championship playoff, by having 2 more goals than UCOM RajPracha, todays Raj-Pracha-Nonthaburi side.

SET duly won the game 2-0 and caused a crisis in the TFB team, possibly leading to the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis aswell (whatever??) and would meet Bangkok Bank in the final after they defeated TOT 3-2.

At stake for the winners of the SET FC - BKK Bank match, would be a place in the Asian Club Championship. Asia's very own top club event.

A lot was at stake, SET had shares on the game, BKK Bank had foriegn currency, possibly obtained illegally. Anyway, Bangkok Bank triumphed and ran anyway with the silverware, 2-0.

The Relegation Clash

As previously stated, 6 out of 18 would go down, leading to a formation of an elite 12 in the TPL the following year, and a new 1st division to be formed.

The 6 teams who failed to make it into the top 12 elite, Thailand Tobacco Monopoly, Osotsapa, Bangkok Bank of Commerce, Raj Vithi, Krung Thai Bank and Thamrongthai will join the top four teams from the old second division - Rayong, Samut Prakan, Royal Household Bureau and Bank for Agriculture and Co-Operatives - to make up a new second tier. It was also confirmed that there will be no play-offs for the championship this year and just one team will go either down to the Second Division and up to the first. However, the second bottom team in the top division will have to face. The second placed team in the second division to decide who takes up a place in the top 12 next year.

Regional League - Brief Update

2009-08-02T21:22:00.001+01:00

It's certainly hotting up at this level.

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

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

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

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

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

Three bids to host AFC U-19 Championship 2010

2009-07-29T09:14:00.000+01:00

KUALA LUMPUR: China, Thailand and Indonesia have offered to host the AFC U-19 Championship 2010 Finals (1-16 November).

According to the AFC Statutes (Article 10.1) the tournament is to be hosted in the East.

The deadline for AFC’s Member Associations to signal their intention to host was June 11, 2009.

The next step will involve inspections of the venues between September-October 2009 before the final decision is taken by the AFC Competitions Committee at its meeting in November 2009.

The qualifiers for the AFC U-19 Championship run from November 1-15 this year.

http://www.the-afc.com/en/inside-afc/676-afc-news/24925-china-thailand-and-indonesia-offer-to-host-afc-u-19-championship-2010

Comment - I think the qualifiers actually run from end of October through to December

Thailand Team

2009-07-22T00:07:00.000+01:00

PROBABLE THAILAND TEAM (according to the BKK Post)

Goalkeeper: Kosin Hathairattanakool

Defenders: Natthaphong Samana, Nataporn Phanrit, Kiatprawut Saiwaew, Peter Lang

Midfielders: Surat Sukha, Narongchai Vachiraban, Datsakorn Thonglao, Rangsan Vivatchaichoke

Strikers: Teerasil Dangda, Teerathep Winothai

Anon Sangsanoi

2009-07-20T23:46:00.000+01:00

Anon Sangsanoi, Thai Premier League hit man.

He got 20 goals last year and is joint 2nd in the charts this year with 7.

Probably one of the more prolific strikers in the TPL - so why doesn't he get a decent chance with the national team??

When coach Reid first arrived, he picked a team for the T&T Cup in Vietnam - he left out the TPL leading goalscorer, with lower division strike men getting the node, but with injuries to the squad, he was forced to add him to the team. He then went straight to the Bangkok Post and told them he was lazy.

He dropped him and left him out again for a while. Come the AFF Suzuki Cup, he re-instated the hitman - bemusingly dropping players who had done him well in recent games in the T&T Cup for example.

Again, he was a kind of stanby player, playing one one game, yet scoring two.

Come decisive matches when the nation needed a goalscorer, he was declined and kept on the bench.

The guy knows where the net is, yet fails to get a chance. Only coach Reid could tell us why, but boy, why not? He's 25, knows where the net is and is injury free. He has years ahead of him to fit into the Asian Cup 2011 plan.

Thailand V Liverpool (22nd July)

2009-07-20T23:23:00.000+01:00

Ok, another friendly against one of Europes finest.

Will Liverpool take it seriously, probably not, who cares? I don't, so lets take a look at the potential Thailand setup.

GK

Kosin Hathairattanakool - 50 caps

Steady keeper, seems to get the nod in the big games, had a somewhat bad year last year but has come his steady self again. Should get the nod over Kittisak Rawangpa

Defence

Rangsan Viwatchaichok - 14 caps, 1 goal
Kiatprawut Saiwaeo- 17 Caps
Natthaphong Samana - 30 caps, 1 goal
Suree Sukha - 47 caps, 1 goal
Nattaporn Phanrit - 48 caps, 2 goals

A couple of old Man City boys, Sukha and Saiwaeo. Saiwaeo has been injury prone and Sukha has a decent reputation in Asia, but for me he struggled in the ASEAN Cup at the back end of 2008. Gets forward, but in defence fouls far to often.

I've always liked Phanrit, seems solid and dependable. Samana seems a bit out of depth for me and could be the weak link.

Midfield

Datsakorn Thonglao - 61, 8
Sutee Suksomkit - 59, 14
Pichitphong Choeichiu - 42, 2
Suchao Nuchnum - 41, 6
Surat Sukha - 14, 0
Arthit Sunthornpit - 8, 2

Thonglao is the playmaker, when he's on song, Thailand are on song, when he's not, then it all goes horribly wrong. Suksomkit closely followers, but i can't help but think his best is now behind him.

Surat Sukha is the destroyer, and shouldn't be overawed, but likes to pick up cards, and probably will do on this occasion aswell.

Nuchnum and Choeichiu are two experienced players who will fight all day. Choeichiu has a bit more class and has played in the Asian Champions League, but Nuchnum seems to get the nod over him in team selection.

Forwards

Teeratep Winothai - 33, 13
Pipat Thonkanya - 28, 14
Teerasil Dangda - 28, 16
Ronnachai Rangsiyo - 13, 4

Winothai is the Thai idol and runs himself ragged, but personally, i think Dangda leads well from the front. Winothai seems to have the whole country on his shoulders, and i feel this gets to him now. Dangda is good in the air and would be a threat against much lower opposition than Liberpool. His biggest flaw is that he doesn't seem mobile enough.

Rangsiyo is a kind of super sub for the national team, but lacks international class and has had a rather bad start to the domestic season.

Thailand 4 - 0 Pakistan

2009-07-18T18:39:00.000+01:00

7' [1 - 0] T. Dangda

9' [2 - 0] R. Vivatchaichok (pen.)

16' [3 - 0] T. Dangda

46' [4 - 0] T. Winothai

Dangda has now notched his 15th and 16th international goals.

Leesaw has now scored his 13th international goal

Vitatchiachok scored his first international goal, well done albeit from the spot kick.

Peter Reid's Matchday Record:

Played: 16
Won: 9
Drawn: 4
Lost: 3
Scored: 26
Conceded: 10

We're going to India - Nehru Cup time!

2009-07-11T20:49:00.001+01:00

The AIFF today announced the names of the six participating national teams in this years "ONGC" Nehru Cup.

The participating sides will be all Asian - Syria, Lebanon, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka and besides hosts India.The 14th edition of the "ONGC" Nehru Cup will be played from August 18 to 30 at the Dr. Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi.The six teams will be divided in two groups of three teams each. The winners and runners-up from each group will qualify for the semifinals.India are the defending champions having defeated Syria 1-0 in the finals on August 29, 2007 in Delhi. But this years tournament will be tougher for the hosts and a good test for Bob Houghton to judge the progress of his team.

http://www.indianfootball.com/en/news/articleId/1204

I fully expect that this will be an Under 23 Thai side preparing for the SEA Games

Thailand v Pakistan 18th July

2009-07-10T19:26:00.000+01:00

Thailand V Pakistan

18th July

Thunder Dome Stadium, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok

Previous Meetings

05/08/1960 Thailand 0:7 Pakistan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friendly

11/11/1981 Thailand 1:0 Pakistan, Bangkok, Friendly

29/09/1986 Pakistan 0:6 (0:1) Thailand, Daegu, South Korea, Friendly

15/05/2001 Thailand 3:0 (1:0) Pakistan, Beirut, Lebanon, FIFA World Cup™ Qualifier

28/05/2001 Pakistan 0:6 (0:1) Thailand, Bangkok, FIFA World Cup™ Qualifier

AFF U16 MEET IN BANGKOK POSTPONED

2009-07-10T17:50:00.000+01:00

[B]AFF U16 MEET IN BANGKOK POSTPONED [/B]

PETALING JAYA (9 July 2009) – The Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-16 Championship which was supposed to be held in Bangkok next month has been postponed.
The championship, which was designed to serve as a tune-up for the AFC Championship qualifiers later in the year, was scheduled to take place at the Rajamangala Stadium on 6-19 August 2009.

According to an official letter to the AFF from the FA of Thailand (FAT) which was signed by Ong-Arj Kosinkar, the general secretary, the reason for the postponement was due to the growing concern over the A(H1N1) flu in the country.

“As you are well aware of the wide spread of the A(H1N1) flu in Thailand and our authorities concerned have been fighting very hard to suppress this 2009 influenza. Due to this current fact and all various concerned which have been raised by our authorities, we would like to postpone the above-mentioned tournament to the future possible dates

“We thank you sincerely for your kind understanding in this matter and kindly inform our Member Associations concerned regarding this postponement.”
In the meantime, the AFF Under-19 Championship scheduled for 4-16 August 2009 in Vietnam will still be held as planned since there has been no request from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) for a change.

http://www.aseanfootball.org/news_d.asp?id=931

Bangabandhu Cup

2009-06-28T20:01:00.000+01:00

The national team have been invited to the Bangabandhu Cup to be held in October/November by hosts Bangladesh.

Other invited teams are: India, Qatar, UAE, Iran, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Myanmar.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=94643

FA Cup Results

2009-06-27T18:23:00.000+01:00

1st Qualifying Round

Rose Asia Pathum Thani 1 - 2 Samut Prakan
Chankasem Rajabhat 1 - 0 Kasem Bundit Uni
Chainat 1-1(5-6) Nakhon Rachasima

You got to love the FA Cup, day one has produced a cup upset. Chankasem Rajabhat Uni defeated Kasem Bundit Uni who are one step higher than them.

Rose Asia nearly got their first ever win, they currently sit bottom of the Central and Eastern League and todays opponents Samut Prakan sit top of it. Samut won the earlier league meetign 3-0, but todays' FA Cup tie was much closer.

Korat, currently top of the North East League narrowly progressed winning their match on penalties against Chainat whom are 4th of the Northern League.

Tawan takes BEC Tero reins

2009-06-26T19:03:00.000+01:00

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

30 point safety net

2009-06-09T14:14:00.000+01:00

Since 2007, we have had a 30 game season. This has proven, in order to stay up, you must get 30 points:

2007 final standings

12 Port Authority 30 9 9 12 36 43 -7 36
13 Suphanburi 30 9 8 13 37 45 -8 35
14 Thai Honda 30 7 8 15 26 38 -12 29
15 Royal Thai Navy (PR) 30 5 12 13 21 35 -14 27
16 Royal Thai Police (PR) 30 5 4 21 19 51 -32 19

2008 final standings

12 Tobacco Monopoly 30 7 12 11 20 25 -5 33
13 Port Authority 30 7 9 14 30 47 -17 30
14 Bangkok Bank 30 6 11 13 23 35 -12 29
15 Royal Thai Army 30 6 7 17 21 44 -23 25
16 Customs Department (PR) 30 5 5 20 18 39 -21 20

In order to survive, you must get about 8 victories.

In 2007, two promoted teams took the drop and in 2008, one team fell.

Fast forward to 2009 and again we could have another two newly promoted teams meet their fate:

12 Pattaya United 13 2 6 5 6 9 -3 12
13 Rajnavy Rayong (PR) 13 3 3 7 10 15 -5 12
14 Samut Songkhram 13 3 2 8 8 13 -5 11
15 Sriracha (PR) 13 2 3 8 8 15 -7 9
16 Chula United 13 1 5 7 10 26 -16 8

Regional League - Bangkok Region Standings

2009-06-09T13:43:00.001+01:00

1 Kasem Bundit University 9 7 1 1 27 9 +16 22
2 Raj Pracha 8 7 1 0 16 4 +12 22
3 Raj-Vithi 9 5 1 3 22 12 +10 16
4 Bangkok Christian College 8 4 1 3 13 13 0 13
5 Bangkok Bravo 9 2 4 3 8 14 -6 10
6 Bangkok North Central ASSN 8 2 3 3 7 12 -5 9
7 Rangsit University 8 2 2 4 8 12 -4 8
8 Sarawitaya 9 2 2 5 9 15 -6 8
9 Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University 9 1 4 4 7 11 -4 7
10 Kasetsart University 9 0 3 6 9 24 -15 3

Regional League - South Standings

2009-06-09T09:30:00.004+01:00

1 Narathiwat 7 5 2 0 15 5 +10 17
2 Satun 7 5 2 0 23 9 +14 17
3 Nakhon Si Thammarat 7 4 2 1 19 14 +5 14
4 Pattani 7 3 1 3 14 17 -3 10
5 Krabi 6 2 1 3 6 9 -3 7
6 Phuket 7 1 1 5 6 13 -7 4
7 Phattalung 7 1 1 5 6 13 -7 4
8 Yala 6 1 0 5 3 12 -9 3

Regional League - Central / East Standings

2009-06-09T09:30:00.003+01:00

1 Thai Summit 10 6 3 1 23 13 +10 21
2 Samut Prakan 10 5 4 1 15 9 +6 19
3 Ayutthaya 10 4 5 1 18 11 +7 17
4 Cha Choeng Sao 10 5 2 3 14 10 +4 17
5 Lopburi 10 4 3 3 14 12 +2 15
6 Singburi 10 4 3 3 14 15 -1 15
7 Saraburi 10 3 5 2 18 17 +1 14
8 Rayong 10 2 5 3 6 5 +1 11
9 Ratchaburi 10 1 6 3 11 10 +1 9
10 Prachuap Khiri Khan 10 0 8 2 8 10 -2 8
11 Nakhon Nayok 10 0 5 5 5 19 -14 5
12 Rose Asia Pathum Thani 10 0 3 7 7 22 -15 3

Regional League - North Standings

2009-06-09T09:30:00.001+01:00

1 Chiangrai United 9 9 0 0 33 6 +27 27
2 Phichit 9 6 1 2 25 15 +10 19
3 Chainat 9 6 1 2 17 13 +4 19
4 Phetchabun 9 6 0 3 22 12 +10 18
5 Uttaradit 9 4 1 4 15 17 -2 13
6 Phitsanulok 9 3 2 4 17 17 0 11
7 Chiangmai United 10 3 1 6 11 17 -6 10
8 Sukhothai 9 3 1 5 6 13 -7 10
9 Kamphaeng Phet 9 2 3 4 10 16 -6 9
10 Tak 9 1 2 6 12 24 -12 5
11 Phrae 9 0 2 7 6 24 -18 2

Regional League - North East Standings

2009-06-09T09:29:00.003+01:00

1 Nakhon Ratchasima 10 6 4 0 25 7 +18 22
2 Nakhon Phanom 10 6 2 2 20 13 +7 20
3 Udon Thani 10 5 4 1 22 8 +14 19
4 Loei City 10 5 3 2 17 11 +6 18
5 Buriram 10 3 6 1 11 7 +4 15
6 Sakon Nakhon 10 4 2 4 12 14 -2 14
7 Ubon United 10 2 5 3 14 12 +2 11
8 Mukdahan-Savannakhet 10 2 5 3 10 17 -7 11
9 Mahasarakham 10 2 4 4 15 18 -3 10
10 Surin 10 1 3 6 7 11 -4 9
11 Chaiyaphum United 10 1 5 4 6 11 -5 8
12 Roi Et 10 0 1 9 5 35 -30 1

TPL Standings

2009-06-09T09:29:00.001+01:00

1 Bangkok Glass 13 7 6 0 17 9 +8 27
2 Muang Thong United (PR) 13 7 5 1 18 8 +10 26
3 Chonburi 12 7 3 2 20 13 +7 24
4 Osotsapa M-150 13 7 3 3 15 10 +5 24
5 Thai Port 13 5 5 3 17 14 +3 20
6 BEC Tero Sasana 13 5 4 4 19 12 +7 19
7 Bangkok United 13 4 7 2 12 14 -2 19
8 Nakhon Pathom 13 4 5 4 14 17 -3 17
9 PEA (C) 13 3 6 4 13 14 -1 15
10 TOT 13 3 6 4 14 16 -2 15
11 TTM Samut Sakhon 12 3 5 4 13 9 +4 14
12 Pattaya United 13 2 6 5 6 9 -3 12
13 Rajnavy Rayong (PR) 13 3 3 7 10 15 -5 12
14 Samut Songkhram 13 3 2 8 8 13 -5 11
15 Sriracha (PR) 13 2 3 8 8 15 -7 9
16 Chula United 13 1 5 7 10 26 -16 8

Division One Standings

2009-06-09T09:28:00.001+01:00

Division One Standings

1 Police United FC 11 8 3 0 29 11 +18 27
2 Royal Thai Army FC (R) 10 6 2 2 13 6 +7 20
3 Thai Honda FC 11 4 6 1 12 7 +5 18
4 Sisaket FC (PR) 11 4 5 2 15 12 +3 17
5 Suphanburi FC 11 5 1 5 15 14 +1 16
6 Khonkaen FC 10 4 4 2 13 12 +1 16
7 Prachinburi FC (PR) 10 4 3 3 12 8 +4 15
8 Thai Airways-Ban Bueng FC 11 4 3 4 12 13 -1 15
9 Songkhla FC (PR) 10 3 5 2 9 8 +1 14
10 Surat Thani FC 10 4 2 4 10 14 -4 14
11 PTT FC 11 2 6 3 15 18 -3 12
12 Chanthaburi FC 10 3 2 5 16 17 -1 11
13 Rattana Bundit FC 11 2 4 5 15 19 -4 10
14 Royal Thai Air Force FC 11 2 3 6 14 13 +1 9
15 Customs Department FC (R) 11 1 4 6 10 18 -8 7
16 Nakhon Sawan FC 11 1 3 7 10 30 -20 6

Time for a look at......Nakhon Sawan

2009-06-09T09:23:00.001+01:00

Honours:

Pro League: 2001,2003

The Red Lions of Nakhon sawan, after being crowned Provincial League winners in 2001 and 2003, they thought it was time to move up that footballing ladder.
And boy has it been tough!

Consolidation has been the aim since they made the move joining the 1st Division in 2007, hoping to follow in the footsteps of former Pro League rivals Chonburi and hopefully march into the top flight within a 3-5 year period.

Currently, the plan is going backwards, and they seem to be forever looking over their shoulders and toying with life in Division 2, or what we now call the Regional League.

In fact, they should be playing in it after coming 15th and in a relegation spot just last season.

Due to the TPL going pro and Bangkok Bank therefore having to withdraw, they were given some sort of lifeline. This was to start the new domestic season in a 4 way playoff battle to stay in Division One and the chance to again pit their wits against the likes of the Army and Air Force.

They didn’t take this chance, and lost the playoff final to Thai Honda, well didn’t just lose but got stuffed 4-0!

But last chance saloon seems to be what Nakhon Sawan are all about, due to coming runner up in that playoff, they were thrown back into the 1st Division when the Army Welfair Department decide to withdraw – the Red Lions back where they wanted to be!

But have they taken this opportunity as we approach the half way stage of the season?

NO! They have stumbled along at the bottom getting thumped left and right, only recently they have started to show a bit of fight.

Can they beat the drop this season??

Pakistan coming to Thailand??

2009-06-07T20:05:00.000+01:00

Pakistan could tour Thailand this month

Sunday, June 07, 2009 By Alam Zeb Safi KARACHI:

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) plans to arrange a foreign tour for the senior team, most probably to Thailand, at the end of this month, a top official of the PFF told ‘The News’ on Saturday. The secretary of the PFF Col Ahmad Yar Khan Lodhi said that he has contacted the football authorities of Thailand and Iran during the annual Congress meeting of the world football governing body (FIFA) held in North American state of Bahamas the other day and hopefully the federation would be able to convince them to host Pakistan for a ten-day tour.

“Thailand have almost agreed to our proposal but it is not yet confirmed as we are trying to formally make correspondence with them and are writing to them tomorrow (Monday) and I am hopeful that a tour would be arranged by the end of this month, or in the beginning of July,” Lodhi said.

The PFF is trying to arrange the tour according to the wishes of the coach George Kottan who is currently imparting training to the 23 top ranking footballers at the Punjab Stadium in Lahore. Out of the 23-member squad currently busy in the camp only ten players are such who had featured in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup Qualifiers held in Colombo in April this year while the rest are those who have been specifically picked up by the Austrian coach during the National Challenge Cup held at Hyderabad in April. Kottan is trying to groom players for the future. Kottan had told

The News the other day during an interview that foreign tours are very important and added that he had told the PFF to arrange a trip or two in the near future so that the standard of the team could be boosted. “For raising the standard of the team top class competitions are indispensable and I am looking for that. The players learn through exposure and it is indispensable for developing a side,” the 62-year old coach said. Though the current camp in Lahore serves as a refresher course for those already tested in international circuit, but it is a real trial for those who are yet unknown to the coach George Kottan.

Though originally the camp was planned for 14 days but if a foreign tour is arranged within few days it would then continue till the departure of the team for the expected series. “Hopefully, everything about the tour would be made final within the next ten or twelve days. If the tour is managed the camp would continue, and if not, it could then be winded up after the coach completes his job,” the PFF secretary said.

AFF U19 YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP 2009

2009-05-09T11:50:00.000+01:00

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM
04 - 16 AUGUST 2009

Group A

1. Singapore
2. Malaysia
4. Vietnam
4. Philippines

Group B

1. Cambodia
2. Australia
3. Laos
4. Thailand

Group C

1. Indonesia
2. Myanmar
3. Timor Leste
4. Brunei

AFF U16 YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP 2009

2009-05-09T11:47:00.000+01:00

BANGKOK, THAILAND
20 JULY - 02 AUGUST 2009

Group A

1. Singapore
2. Myanmar
3. Australia
4. Vietnam
5. Brunei

Group B

1. Thailand
2. Malaysia
3. Indonesia
4. Laos
5. Philippines

http://www.aseanfootball.org/competitions_062009.asp

AFF U-19 Tournement

2009-04-29T18:42:00.000+01:00

The draw:

Groups :

A: Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines

B: Cambodia, Australia, Laos, Thailand

C: Indonesia, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Brunei.

http://kallangroar.com/asean-football/2141-asean-u-19-championship-2009-a.html

Stats and Facts

2009-04-09T18:28:00.000+01:00

Week 5 is currently being played and will end tomorrow.

It's brought early due to the Thai New Year at the weekend.

Results will be brought over, or at least linked to Wikipedia.

But a few facts i will bring you now. Oh yes, those all important figures:

Thai Port have now overtaken Bangkok Bank in the all time league records, scoring a massive 395 points, but thats still 99 behind all time leaders BEC Tero Sasana. BEC will get to 500 points within the next few weeks.

Osotsapa have recorded their 100th victory in the league, this was claimed with a 2-0 victory away to Samut Songkhram.

Bangkok United need one more victory to reach the 50 mark.

PEA need two more victories to reach the 50 mark.

Pattaya United and Sriracha recorded their forst ever victories this week against Rajnavy Rayong and TTM Samut Sakhon respectivly.

Interestingly, Coke Bangpra picked up 35 points last year, can Pattaya get a better record after their purchase?

Weekend Results.....

2009-04-05T18:59:00.000+01:00

....OK,, i haven't put them here:

Just finished updating www.wikipedia.org - go there and search for Thai football and you will see the results and league tables updated from the Premier League down to the Regional leagues along with other useful information on Thai football.

Results Catchup

2009-04-02T17:24:00.000+01:00

Due to work commitments, these results are in later than expected:

Division One

Police Utd 2 - 1 Royal Thai Army
Chanthaburi 1 - 1 Customs Department
Khonkaen 2 - 1 PTT
Rattana Bundit 0 - 1 Suphanburi
Surat Thani 1 - 0 Royal Thai Air Force
Prachinburi 1 - 1 Thai Airways
Sisaket 2 - 1 Nakhon Sawan

Regional League

Northern Region

Kamphaeng Phet 1-3 Phitsanulouk
Tak 2-3 Sukhothai
Pechabun 4-2 Pichit
Prea 0-1 Chaing Mai United
Chainat 2-5 Chaing Rai

Southern Region

Phuket 1-4 Satun
Yala 0-3 Nakhon Sri Tammarat
Patalung 0-1 Krabi

North East Region

Loey 3-0 Chayaphum
Sakhon Nakhon 1-0 Mukdohan
Ubon United 5-0 Roy Et
Buriram 1-0 Surin
Udonthani 1-1 Mahasakam
Nakhon Panom 1-1 Nakhon Rachasima

Central East Region

Rayong 0-1 Chachaingsao
Ayutthaya 1-3 Singburi
Samutprakhan 3-0 Pathumthani
Lopburi 1-1 Rachaburi
Nakhon Nayok 0-1 Thai Summit
Prachup Kirikhan 1-1 Saraburi

Bangkok Region

Raj pracha 2-0 Kasembundit
Bangkok Christian 0-0 Bangkok Bravo
Saravititia 1-0 Rachavithi
Kasetsart Uni 1-1 Rangsit Uni
North Bangkok 0-0 N.S. Rachaphat

Also note that Raj Pracha now go by the name Raj Pracha Nonthaburi

Surat storm to the top!

2009-03-25T23:43:00.001Z

Surat Thani stormed to the top of the 1st Division after defeating Sisaket 2-0 on Wednesday.

It makes a big difference from last year when they struggled at the bottom of the table and just avoided relegation.

So, Ok, they have played one more game than everyone else, but everyone knows i've got a soft spot for any team from the south, so to see them leading it's great cause for celebration.

That's hope, come Saturday, they will still be Kingpins, as the 1st Division comes centre stage as the TPL takes a weeks break for the Tawna Sripan testimonial game against the Tai Airways sponsored New Zealand!

Weekends Results

2009-03-22T18:28:00.000Z

Premier League Results:

March 21

Bangkok Glass 1 v 0 Sriracha (Leo Stadium)
Chula United 0 v 2 Thai Port (Chulalongkorn University Sports Stadium)
TTM Samut Sakhon 1 v 2 BEC Tero Sasana (Samut Sakhon Stadium)

March 22

TOT 0 v 0 Muang Thong United (Thai Army Sports Stadium)
Nakhon Pathom 0 v 1 Osotsapa M-150 (Kastetsart Kamphengsan Stadium)
PEA 2 v 0 Bangkok United (Ayutthaya Stadium)
Rajnavy Rayong 2 v 0 Samut Songkhram (Rayong Stadium)
Pattaya United 0 v 0 Chonburi (Nongprue Municipality Football Field)

Well, what can i say?

Looks like it's going to be another long low scoring season in the TPL.

Osotsapa have played all 3 games away so far, and next time out on 4th April (after International game break) they will be playing at their new home. The Thanarom Village Park. This could be the best thing to look forward to for a while.

Division One Results

March 21

Chanthaburi 2 - 3 Police United (Chanthaburi Stadium)
PTT 2 - 1 Rattana Bundit (Chonburi Physical Education Institute Stadium)
Suphanburi 3 - 0 Khonkaen (Suphanburi Municipality Stadium)

March 22

Prachinburi 0 - 0 Royal Thai Air Force (Prachinburi Central Sports Stadium)
Thai Airways 1 - 2 Surat Thani (Banbung Stadium)
Thai Honda 3 - 0 Nakhon Sawan (72-years Anniversary Stadium)
Songkhla 1 - 1 Sisaket (Jiranakorn Stadium, Hat Yai)

Great kick off to the season.

Thai Honda thumped Nakhon Sawan, which to me, tells me that Nakhon shouldn't be playing at this level. A long hard season is predicted for them!!

Suphanburi will surely be strong, but last year they did score plenty, but also conceded plenty.

Persoanlly, for me, i was interested in the Surat Thani and Songkha gams, both being from the South. 3 decent points picked up for Surat. For Songkhla, the next few weeks will tell if it was a decent 1 point against Sisaket, whom were also promoted from last years Division 2.

There's a mid week match in Division 1 this week and then the return of the newly formed 2nd Division, which kicks off with Friday night football!!

Weekend Fixtures: Return of Division One!!

2009-03-20T15:38:00.000Z

Premier League Fixtures:

March 21

Bangkok Glass v Sriracha (Leo Stadium)
Chula United v Thai Port (Chulalongkorn University Sports Stadium)
TTM Samut Sakhon v BEC Tero Sasana (Samut Sakhon Stadium)

March 22

TOT v Muang Thong United (Thai Army Sports Stadium)
Nakhon Pathom v Osotsapa M-150 (Kastetsart Kamphengsan Stadium)
PEA v Bangkok United (Ayutthaya Stadium)
Rajnavy Rayong v Samut Songkhram (Rayong Stadium)
Pattaya United v Chonburi (Nongprue Municipality Football Field)

By all accounts, TOT will play at the Army Stadium and then move to their new home the game after. Pattaya - Chonburi game should be a cracker.

Division One Fixtures

March 21

Chanthaburi - Police United (Chanthaburi Stadium)
PTT - Rattana Bundit (Chonburi Physical Education Institute Stadium)
Suphanburi - Khonkaen (Suphanburi Municipality Stadium)

March 22

Prachinburi - Royal Thai Air Force (Prachinburi Central Sports Stadium)
Thai Airways - Surat Thani (Banbung Stadium)
Thai Honda - Nakhon Sawan (72-years Anniversary Stadium)
Songkhla - Sisaket (Jiranakorn Stadium, Hat Yai)

March 25

Surat Thani - Sisaket

Not sure why, but Royal Thai Army and Customs Department games have been
removed for this week

National Team Callups

2009-03-20T15:33:00.000Z

Thailand play New Zealand next week (28th) for Tawan Sripan's farewell game.

A few new players have been added to the squad:

Nantawat Thansopa of Bangkok Glass, last years AFC Champions League leading goalscorer.

Keerati Keawsombat of TOT who has started the recent season on fire.

Tanapat Na Tarue, an experienced Defensive Midfielder for Muang.

Recalls have also been given to Vietnamese based Nirut Surasiang and Sakda Joemdee, along with the return of Kiatprawut Saiwaeo, who has been out injured for a long while.

TPL - Matchday 2 Results

2009-03-15T15:30:00.000Z

15.03.2009 Sriracha FC 0-3 Thai Port
15.03.2009 Nakhon Pathom FC 3-1 Pattaya United
15.03.2009 Muang Thong United 2-1 Rajnavy Rayong
15.03.2009 Samut Songkhram 0-1 TOT FC
14.03.2009 Chonburi FC 1-0 Osotsapa FC
14.03.2009 Bangkok Utd 2-1 TTM Samut Sakhon
14.03.2009 BEC Tero Sasana 0-1 Provincial Electricity Authority
14.03.2009 Chula United 1-2 Bangkok Glass

Sriracha and Rajnavy appear to be struggling to live up to the hype in the top flight.

BEC have had 2 games against championship opposition and lost both 1-0. I'm sure they will overcome this, but i think it tells us that they aren't really championship contenders this year.

Chonburi contnue to plow on with the 1-0 wins. Something that kind of annoys me really. They have such a huge support base and an excellent defence but they don't take the game to teams. Surely they should start to really finish teams off?

Now my surprise package this year is going to be TOT. I think their win away to Samut Songkhram will go un-noticed, but i doubt many more teams will take points away to Samut.

Thai League Dropouts

2009-03-12T19:55:00.000Z

Nakhon Sawan have been re-invited to the 1st Division after the Army Welfair Dept dropped out after securing promotion from Division 2 last year.

Full list of dropouts since FAT went professional earlier this year:

Bangkok Bank
Krung Thai Bank
Coke-Bangpra

Army Welfair Department
Airforce Training College
Marine College

Navy Fleet Support
Thonburi College

To be honest, it's probably for the best that these teams did drop out in this new era.

Royal Thai Police have also re-named themselves as Police United!

TPL Round 1 Results

2009-03-08T17:46:00.000Z

PEA 0 - 1 Osotsapa M-150 (Ayutthaya Stadium)
Chonburi 1 - 0 BEC Tero Sasana (Princess Sirindhorn Stadium)
Bangkok Glass 1 - 1 TOT (Leo Stadium)
Samut Songkhram 3 - 0 Chula Utd (Samut Songkhram Stadium)
Bangkok Utd 0 - 0 Nakhon Pathom (Thai-Japanese Stadium)
Pattaya Utd 1 - 1 Sriracha (Nongprue Municipality Football Field)
Muang Thong Utd 3 - 0 Thai Port (Thunderdome Sport Complex)
Rajnavy Rayong 0 - 3 TTM Samut Sakhon (Rayong Stadium)

Outstanding result of the weekend must go to Muang, so OK, they have an all star lineup, but as a club to play there frist ever game in the top flight and defeat a side that has more or less been there since 1996 by 3 goals to nil, then thats telling something to the league.

PEA getting beat on the first weekend of the season, maybe not such a surprise to the guys in the know, they do seem to be having some troubles, but to be honest, getting beat by Osotsapa doesn't say much to me. Osotsapa are one of these teams that can beat the big boys but not quite match them at the end of the season.

Chonburi started life once again as one of the favorites and beat another potiental rival in BEC. Again Chonburi are keeping thigns tight in defence and not scoring many, this weekends goal came from a free kick. This year, we may again see Chonburi concede vert few, but again fail to score on a regular basis.

Rajnavy have shown in the last decade that they are a yo-yo team, again after this weekend's result, they seem to want to keep up this unwanted statistic.

I was very surprised with the Samut Songkhram result, winnign 3-0. Maybe this tells us more about Chula, and possibly a big struggle for them this year.

Bangkok Glass, with practically last years KTB team got life underway with a 1-1 draw with TOT and in the big Chonburi derby, Pattaya and Sriracha drew 1-1. A think after about 5 - 6 weeks of the season we will start to see just what these two teams can do.

For full results and scorers visit this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Premier_League_2009_Fixtures_%26_Results

Division 2 Confirmed Clubs

2009-03-06T19:02:00.000Z

This is what supposedly makes up the new Division 2 League, but don't count on it until a ball is kicked!!

Northern Region

Kamphaeng Phet FC
Chai Nat FC
Chiangrai United FC
Chiang Mai FC
Tak FC
Nakhon Sawan FC
Phichit FC
Phitsanulok FC
Phetchabun FC
Phrae FC
Sukhothai FC
Uttaradit FC

North Eastern Region

Chaiyaphum United FC
Surin FC
Nakhon Phanom FC
Nakhon Ratchasima FC
Buriram FC
Mukdahan-Savannakiet FC
Roi Et FC
Loei FC
Sakon Nakon FC
Udon Thani FC
Ubon Ratchathani FC
Ubon United FC

Central & Eastern Region

Cha Choeng Sao FC
Thai Summit Samut Prakan FC
Nakhon Nayok FC
Prachuap Khiri Khan FC
Rayong FC
Ratchaburi FC
Rose Asia Pathum Thani FC
Lopburi FC
Saraburi FC
Sing Buri FC
Ayutthaya FC

Southern Region

Krabi FC
Nakhon Si Thammarat FC
Narathiwat FC
Pattani FC
Phattalung FC
Phuket FC
Yala FC
Satun FC

Bangkok & Field Region

Bangkok Christian College FC
Bangkok Bravo FC
Bangkok North Central ASSN FC
Kasetsart University FC
Kasem Bundit University FC
Rangsit University FC
Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University FC
Raj Pracha FC
Raj-Vithi FC
North Bangkok College FC
Samut Prakan FC

The Big Kick Off!

2009-03-06T18:55:00.000Z

The 2009 Premier League campiagn kick's off tomorrow:

Fixtures played on 7th & 8th of March.

PEA - Osotsapa M-150 (Ayutthaya Stadium)
Chonburi - BEC Tero Sasana (Princess Sirindhorn Stadium)
Bangkok Glass - TOT (Leo Stadium)
Samut Songkhram - Chula Utd (Samut Songkhram Stadium)
Bangkok Utd - Nakhon Pathom (Thai-Japanese Stadium)
Pattaya Utd - Sriracha (Nongprue Municipality Football Field)
Muang Thong Utd - Thai Port (Thunderdome Sport Complex)
Rajnavy Rayong - TTM Samut Sakhon (Rayong Stadium)

Chonburi Claim Kor Royal Cup

2009-03-01T13:52:00.000Z

Chonburi defeated 2008 Thai Premier League Champiosn PEA 1-0 in the season opener to claim the 2nd piece of silverware on offer this season.

Details of the game here (Thai Script): http://www.fat.or.th/web/news_detail.php?nid=01171

TOT Move West

2009-02-24T22:10:00.000Z

TOT have got up and moved to the Western Province of Kanchanburi to try and get a bigger fan base.

A good move? Time well tell, but to get that fan base, then surely they need to rename to soemthing along the lines Kanchanburi TOT?