Thailand Football

[Big Boy]

Buriram became this season's league champions when they beat Police Tero 2 - 0 last night.

[Big Boy]

This evening is Thai FA Cup semi-final day.

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Ratchaburi Mitr Phol vs Singha Chiang Rai
Sisaket vs Buriram

I'm off to Supachalasai Stadium later to support underdogs, Ratchaburi Mitr Phol on the bus organised by Hua Hin Dragons. Quite excited - my last FA Cup semi-final was back in the 80s at Villa Park when underdogs Plymouth lost to Watford 1-0.

[Big Boy]

Ratchaburi Mitr Phol 1 - 3 Singha Chiang Rai
Sisaket 1 - 2 Buriram

The beautiful, but cruel game. Ratchaburi were within 3 minutes of the FA Cup final. In fairness, Chiang Rai were by far the best team.

One very special moment at the Supachalasai Stadium last night. Typical Thai organisation - Ratchaburi parking was at the Chiang Rai end of the stadium, and vice versa. There was an almighty stand off, with police holding back both sets of fans. After about 15 minutes, the police dispersed. Chiang Rai Fans formed a guard of honour and clapped the Ratchaburi fans through. A definite first for me.

[Big Boy]

Oh, and one more thing, being a football supporter outside of a Farang resort town seems to make you into a celebrity. I conducted my 5th TV interview in as many months last night, although other Farangs in the group stole the show - I couldn't get a word in edgeways .

[Big Boy]

I read an article yesterday, which basically said the Thai FA are on the verge of admitting their 2015 decision to split the 3rd tier of Thai football into 2 divisions was wrong (I told you so, comes to mind).

I think next season, T4 will be scrapped, those teams who survive the 2015 fiasco will be merged back into a new 3rd tier. I would imagine, the 3rd tier will return to regional status again. Status Quo?

[Big Boy]

For you clever Thai speakers. Does this confirm what I said in the previous post?

Or at least confirm they are thinking about it?

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[Big Boy]

Written as a Ratchaburi Mitr Phol supporter:

The final league table, and it has been a big shock to me this morning. A team that I have considered Ratchaburi's equal all season has fallen. I had assumed last night's battle to avoid the final relegation place was between Chainat Hornbill and Sukothai, but Bangkok Glass have gone. I am devastated to see this season's League Cup finalists have gone. It could have so easily have been us.

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Obviously, congratulations to this season's champions Buriram Utd, who have achieved a record points haul of 87, which is unlikely to ever be beaten. With league restructuring from next season, there are only 90 points available.

It has been a crazy season at the bottom with 5 teams relegated. The relegation battle has been going on all season, and even just a month ago, 13 of the 18 teams were still involved in that battle. It has kept things interesting, but has put incredible pressure on all teams.

Here's looking forward to 23 Feb 19, when it all starts again.

[Big Boy]

This season's League Cup Final:

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[Big Boy]

FAT announces 27 players for AFF Suzuki Cup training session before eliminating 4 players.
Goalkeepers
1. Siwaluk Tessoongnern—Buriram United/age 34
2. Chatchai Butprom—Chiangrai United/age 31
3. Kwunchai Suklorm—Buriram United/age 23
4. Saranon Anu-inn—Chiangrai United/age 24
Defenders
5. Manuel Thom Bihr—True Bangkok United/age 25
6. Mika Chunuansri—True Bangkok United/age 29
7. Suphan Tongsong—Suphanburi FC/age 24
8. Sasaluk Hiprakon—Buriram United /age 22
9. Korrakot Viriyaudomsiri—Buriram United/age 30
10. Philip Roller—Ratchaburi FC/age 24
11. Chalermpong Kerdkaew—Nakornratchasrima FC/31
12. Marco Ballini—Chainart Hornbill FC/age 20
13. Kevin Deeromrum—Port FC/age 21
14. Punsa Hemviboon—Buriram United/age 28
Midfielders
15. Rattanakorn Maikami—Buriram United/age 20
16. Arnon Amornlertsuk—Bangkokglass FC/age 20
17. Sumunya Purisai—True Bangkok United/age 31
18. Sorrawat Dechmitr—True Bangkok United/age 29
19. Pokklaw Anan—True Bangkok United/age 26
20. Thitiphan Puangjun—Bangkokglass FC/age 25
21. Tanaboon Kesarat—Bangkokglass FC/age 25
22. Nurul Sriyankem—Port FC/age 26
23. Pakorn Prempak—Port FC/age 25
Strikers
24. Adisak Krisorn—Muangthong United/age 27
25. Supachai Jaidet—Buriram United/age 20
26. Chananun Pombupha—Suphanburi FC/age 26
27. Mongkol Tossakrai—Police Tero FC/age 31

[Big Boy]

Bangkok Glass 0 - 1 Chiang Rai

It was the Thai League Cup Farce Final yesterday, played in outrageous conditions.

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[Big Boy]

Tomorrow, Saturday 27th October at 19:00 is the Thai FA Cup Final

Chiang Rai vs Buriram

[Big Boy]

Chiang Rai 3 - 2 Buriram

Not wanting to take anything away from Chiang Rai, but as usual in Thai football this game was all about the referee i.e.:

• He awarded Buriram a free kick outside the box. After protest, he looked at the VAR, VAR showed the Buriram player dived i.e. the Chiang Rai player missed him by a clear mile. Referee's decision - penalty to Buriram.

• He sent a Chiang Rai player off for a vicious tackle on a Buriram player - no doubt it was a red card offence. A look at VAR and the red was downgraded to yellow.

• A misplaced shoulder charge by a Buriram player - red card.

Plenty of other action though. Diogo missed a penalty. Bill, who played the first half of the season for Ratchaburi, scored a hat trick.

An enjoyable match, spoilt by the ref.

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[Big Boy]

I can't get last night's Thai refereeing masterclass off of my mind.

The referee knew he was being watched by thousands of Thai football fans and officials. How could he walk up to the VAR, see the Chiang Rai player fail to make contact with the Buriram player, but upgrade his free kick on the edge of the penalty area decision to a penalty, when the correct decision should have been a yellow card to the Buriram player for diving?

Such is the arrogance of Thai football officials he will probably get away with it. I know that I'm not the only person to have thought at that point that Buriram must have bought the FA Cup.

That was just one of 3 match changing decisions - 2 of which were made after consulting VAR. Do Thai referees think that by walking to a VAR machine, it vindicates whatever action that follows? Do they not realise that the same VAR is visible to thousands of viewers at the same time?

In the end, IMHO the right team won, but as so often happens in Thai football, it was about the referee, not the football.

[buksida]

Every game I've ever seen involving Buriram the refereeing has been so one sided it is laughable. The refs must be so far up their arses ... richest club in Thailand and all that. Football here is a joke really.

Great result though (you can take it I'm not a Buriram fan).

[Big Boy]

In fairness, the ref did red card a Buriram player for little more than a gentle shove, but that was just more poor refereeing.

I actually used to watch Buriram a fair bit on TV (my son's girlfriend is a supporter), and used to enjoy it. However, since seeing them live, their play was so cynical that it put me right off them. Diogo might score a lot of goals, but he is just another whinging Brazilian.

The right team won.