TPL
Sisaket 0-1 Chonburi
Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium, Sisaket
14th August, 2010
Tuesday 31 December 2019
The Tap Room - Likes & Dislikes: 2014
Fans share their likes and dislikes about Thai football in this Tap Room discussion from October, 2014.
What do you like and dislike about Thai football?
Reply #1
Name: Russ John
Team supported: Nakorn Ratchasima
Twitter: @russreport
Likes.
Playing of King’s Anthem at start of matches.
Usual general friendliness shown by some players to opponents.
Bands – as long as I am sitting at least 100 metres away from them!!
The way Thai players cynically scythe down opponents then Wai in apology and try to pick up players who probably have fractured limbs due to their actions.
Carnival and friendly atmosphere at matches.
The way Thai fans wander in, having quaffed a quart of beer and eaten a bellyful of kebabs, 15 minutes after the start of the match, then wander out at half time for another quart of porter and more kebabs.
Fans singing serenades to the team after the match
Female fans - am I the only one!!!
Dislikes.
Foreign imports who spend half the match on their backsides feigning injury and/or touting for fouls and the other half arguing the toss with refs/linesmen/opposing players – no names mentioned, Chonburi fans – get rid of them.
Players feigning injury particularly towards the end of games, in order to waste time.
Standing over the ball at free kicks.
The rule that food or drink are not allowed inside stadia.
Changing times and dates of matches without adequate communication to fans.
Teams with no stadia being allowed to play in the Premier League.
Breaks in season for whatever reason – seasons need flow and momentum.
Total lack of respect shown by some players to the match officials.
Reply #2
Name: Rob McEvoy
Twitter: @robmcevoythai
Likes
That it is growing and spreading - There is nothing like being involved in a sport that has "the buzz". TPL has that right now. Big cities and high level people want to be involved and follow Buriram's example. Nakhon Ratchasima have been promoted this year bringing crowds of 20k plus, Chiang Mai are close , Udon Thani building a new stadium, Ubon finished top of their Regional League. A TPL with CM, Udon, Ubon, Korat, Songkhla and Khon Kaen, as well as a better spread in Bangkok (SW Bkk and Samut Prakan getting teams) added to the big clubs involved right now would be be very exciting for sponsors.
New Winners of League (possibly) and Cups - A league can't be predictable if it wants to attract fans. Lots of teams need a chance to be able to win something. Chonburi could win the league. No one predicted that. BEC Tero won the Toyota Cup, and there will be a different winner of the FA Cup.
Always something going on - The TPL is a little bit crazy, like a ridiculous soap opera. Sometimes it drives you mad, but at least it’s interesting.
Fan Culture - Football is a fans game, something other countries have forgotten. Thai fans are noisy, passionate, and in the main very peaceful and fun. Included in this...
The Team Song - The team running to supporters and acknowledging them, especially the Buriram sway, is fantastic and gives fans real involvement. English clubs should copy this.
Acknowledgement of Opposition Team and Fans
The drums - really add to a big crowd
The Prices - Priced for the common man, with free entry for kids. Go to a game with friends or family, is good entertainment, social, snack, couple of drinks and costs less than a meal out in a Mall chain restaurant.
The Food & Drink - coming from England, the quality, range and price of food at Thai grounds is fantastic. Can sit down and eat at Muang Thong for 30B. Wembley its 250B for a pie!
Dislikes
Hiring & Firing of Coaches - I wouldn't want to be a coach in Thailand, and a lot of good coaches (Thai and foreign) who could improve football clubs in the long term are being judged on 1 slip, 1 bad decision or 1 conversation. Thai football would be better if it looked after good coaches who want to develop players, increase skills and knowledge and make successful clubs.
Poor Recruitment, Planning & Management - Some clubs do well, employ sports management professionals and make good, well thought out business based decisions and have planned, thought out recruitment strategies. Some clubs don't. It's good to see those who do overachieving in terms of league position, attendances and growth and I can only hope all clubs become examples of good practice. Football around the world tells me I shouldn't hold my breath.
Big Empty Stadiums (with running tracks) - Not all stadiums with running tracks are bad. There is great atmosphere at Suphanburi and Korat for example. Not all small stadiums rock with atmosphere (TOT I'm looking at you). However, big, empty stadiums with few fans and a running track sap the life out of games to the point where its hard work to watch and to play. Much better to adapt these big stadiums, or move to smaller football specific stadiums or develop a crowd.
Diving & Feigning Injury & Time Wasting - all rolled into 1. Every team does it when their 1 nil up and the referees are seemingly powerless to stop it. Blights the 2nd half of a lot of games.
Linesmen - I don't think the referees are that bad contrary to popular opinion. However the assistants are so bad that they dictate the style of football you can play. Trying to break the offside trap with a quick forward is very difficult.
Thai National Team
Thailand needs a stronger National Team. This would drive interest up further.
Lateness - Huddles have been discussed at length. I don't understand the need, but if teams came out earlier, games would start on time huddle or no huddle. On Saturday at BBCU the teams came out at 3.51pm, and the game kicked off on time. It can be done.
NCPO Broadcasts at the start of TPL games on TV - There is a full day of Sports repeats, and yet the minute the live sport comes on, the NCPO broadcast comes on meaning you miss up to half an hour of live sport. Surely there is a way around this. Really drives me mad.
True Sport lack of TPL Commentary - True coverage would be much enhanced with commentary, especially English commentary. It would drive up interest amongst foreigners and add to understanding.
Reply #3
Name: Roger Smith
Team supported: Buriram Utd
Twitter: @Binnsy1
Likes
1/Entrance Fees
2/Match day atmosphere
3/Cost of replica shirts.
4/Cost of away travel.
5/ Seeing Muang Thong struggle.
Dislikes
1/Standard of match officials.
2/ The Huddles
3/ Corruption.
4/ Cheer Leaders(exept BG Rabbits)
5/ Lack of information about Reserve/Youth games.
6/ Lack of consistency by FAT.
7/ Stadiums with Running Tracks.
Name: Malky
Twitter: @BKKFootballBlog
Likes:
The cheapness of the tickets
The wide variety of beer and food available at the stadium
The relaxed and friendly atmosphere in and around the stadiums
Being able to go to a game without the feeling of getting my head kicked in. Even when it does kick-off, I rarely feel threatened
Meeting up with different fans of different teams
Having the opportunity to travel to provinces I'd never visit unless there was a football match to watch there
Feeling like I'm getting involved in Thai society. I'm not a big fan of Thai music or entertainment so football gives me a chance to socialize with Thai people
Dislikes:
The Thai FA
The constant changes to the fixture schedule. It makes it very difficult to plan away trips
Club owners using Thai football to promote themselves
Players feigning injury
Players kicking the ball out of play when a player is feigning injury
Fans constantly feeling injustice towards their team. Sometimes you have to accept that your team does have an occasional stinker
Drummers arriving ten minutes late and then planting their drum kit two meters in front of me
8pm kick offs when I'm working the next day.
Getting taxis to and from stadia in the rainy season.
Reply #4
Name: Paul Murphy
Team supported: Army Utd
Twitter: @PaulmurphyBKK
Likes
Atmosphere
At first, I was bemused by the way that fans kept singing and drumming until the end of the game, regardless of performance. However, there is no doubt that it keeps spirits up through some of the most dire displays and there have been plenty of them this season.
Serenades
I know that some of the Tap Room regulars don’t share my view on this but I like the fact that the team goes to their own fans at the end of the game and is ‘serenaded’, regardless of the result. I also like that, usually, the opposition team and fans are applauded. Unthinkable in many countries but I think it helps keep the fragile peace…
Beer
Unfortunately, the choice is almost always limited to Leo or Chang but it is great to be able to sit and have a beer during a game. Very few countries in the world allow this – Germany and Japan are the exceptions I have experienced – and it is not consistent across the league but any civilised society should be trusted to be able to drink during a game of football without getting violent.
Supporting the local team
Many Thais are still left cold by the TPL but there has been a huge shift in the past 10 years when it comes to the teams that Thais support. The best example was when I was in Chiang Rai and there were club shirts everywhere. Ten years ago, the only shirts you would have seen were for European sides. Nowadays, you regularly see people sporting the colours of their favourite Thai team - as it should be but, nonetheless, a significant development.
Integration
It’s always difficult to integrate into a foreign culture due to lack of shared experience and knowledge. Thailand’s very different politics and, often, income disparities, are further obstacles. However, football is the international language that allows people to mix freely and a context in which it is easy to communicate with the locals.
Dislikes
Governance
The administration of the game in Thailand is a very bad joke. We shouldn’t be too judgemental given the fact that the football associations in many countries are guilty of failing to standardise disciplinary procedures, ludicrously refusing to revisit injustices if the referee has taken action during the game and adopting reactionary views on the use of video reviews. However, the FAT and TPL take incompetence to a new level. The 6-week late season break and subsequent scheduling confusion was farcical in the extreme. Arbitrary fines and punishments are routinely dished out and the nine-point penalty and fan ban for Thai Port and Muang Thong was preposterous. The most depressing aspect is that things are actually getting worse.
Refereeing
I’m sure I won’t be the only one to highlight this problem. Putting aside suspected corruption, what bothers me most is the way in which many refs call fouls for minimal physical contact but don’t have the bottle to make bigger decisions (penalties and red cards). Yellow cards are often shown for ridiculously routine fouls but players then get away with brutal challenges. It is infuriating.
Play acting
Sunday evening was another depressing example of the way in which players have become very well versed in the dark arts. With TPL survival at stake, it wasn’t surprising that Thai Port had a win-at-all-costs mentality against Army United, but it was still a dismal spectacle to watch their players (especially the goalkeeper) crumpling to the turf and staying down with depressingly predictable regularity. PTT Rayong were also very guilty of this when they played Army United earlier this season. The worst thing is that the younger generation have grown up accepting this as ‘part of the game’ so it won’t go away any time soon.
Tantrums
I’ve never seen so much spitting of the collective dummy as in Thailand, with many teams walking off the pitch (generally to return) after a decision goes against them. The worst example of this that I saw came last season when BEC Tero walked off after a marginal offside decision denied them a goal. There have been much worse decisions than that one.
Stadia
The recent TAP room debate highlighted the issues around the stadium experience. While stadium facilities are generally improving, one of the biggest issues concerning Thai stadia is accessibility. The prospect of trips to BEC Tero or Bangkok Glass should be appealing to any Bangkok-based fan, but there is a sense of dread relating to the question of getting there and getting back. More clubs should follow Army United’s example of providing buses for the fans to make these trips.
Reply #5
Name: Tommie Duncan
Team supported: Singhtarua
Twitter: @TJRDBKK
Whoa. A tough one for me considering the current circumstances.
Likes-
1. It's nice to have a live sport to go watch. It was something I missed about the US!
2. It's very inexpensive even at the most "expensive" stadiums
3. Lots of teams in the BKK area
4. I have met some good people
5. Thai fans really welcome foreign fans
6. A live match can be a very fun atmosphere
7. The sport's potential in Thailand. Whether it will be realized is another issue altogether
8. Away matches!
Dislikes-
1. The incompetence of the TPL and FAT. If there is a choice, they will make the wrong one. Won't even keep to a schedule. These folks have a bird's nest on the ground and can't take advantage of it. The TPL is not really visible. How much merch do you see in shopping malls? Media about town?
2. The lack of professionalism. Not only with FAT/TPL but with most teams. From the shop level (not being open during stated hours/not having a good stock of merch), up to administration, and in game coaching and management. It is just not up to par. High school American football teams in my home state of TX are run better.
3. Poor facilities and the lack of truly one purpose football stadiums
4. The drop in the quality of play since I have been a fan. Possibly due to more restrictions on the foreign quota
5. Growing hooliganism among the fans
6. Amazingly poor officiating
7. Corruption and the politicizing of the sport in Thailand
8. Fans should be the #1 consideration and they aren't. Not by most teams or by the TPL. The attitude seems to be "we are doing you a favor by having a team for you. Take it or leave it."
Reply #6
Name: Dominick Cartwright
Team supported: Singhtarua
Twitter: @dominick_1975
Likes
1) Singing and listening to Thai fans songs. Bangkok Glass have a song that goes along to the tune of Yellow Submarine, nice.
2) I like the fact that Buriram's Thunder Castle has a shooting range at the back of the ground, at PAT we just have shooting.
3) I like the motorbike taxi ride from my place to the home ground takes about 15 minutes I stick some tunes on at a dangerously high volume and hurtle down to the ground at break neck speed. I bump into random smiling fans on my way through Klong Toei and after N.W.A. have finished making their views on modern policing well known I'm there.
Dislikes
1) The re-branding of teams, changing team colours or badges. The TPL doesn't have much history, teams should try to hold on to some things that give the team a link to their past.
2) The fact that everyone is too frighten to vote against Worawi as the head of the F.A. People think he's going to win and are scared that if they don't vote for him they will be left out in the cold. He is our very own mini Sep Blatter.
3) I have to put my hands up and say this came from some of our fans this week. A Port defender made some room on the edge of the the opposition's box and looked like he had a slim chance with a BG defender baring down on him. Some people beside me were shouting at him to dive and go for the penalty. Seriously?
Reply #1
Name: Russ John
Team supported: Nakorn Ratchasima
Twitter: @russreport
Likes.
Playing of King’s Anthem at start of matches.
Usual general friendliness shown by some players to opponents.
Bands – as long as I am sitting at least 100 metres away from them!!
The way Thai players cynically scythe down opponents then Wai in apology and try to pick up players who probably have fractured limbs due to their actions.
Carnival and friendly atmosphere at matches.
The way Thai fans wander in, having quaffed a quart of beer and eaten a bellyful of kebabs, 15 minutes after the start of the match, then wander out at half time for another quart of porter and more kebabs.
Fans singing serenades to the team after the match
Female fans - am I the only one!!!
Dislikes.
Foreign imports who spend half the match on their backsides feigning injury and/or touting for fouls and the other half arguing the toss with refs/linesmen/opposing players – no names mentioned, Chonburi fans – get rid of them.
Players feigning injury particularly towards the end of games, in order to waste time.
Standing over the ball at free kicks.
The rule that food or drink are not allowed inside stadia.
Changing times and dates of matches without adequate communication to fans.
Teams with no stadia being allowed to play in the Premier League.
Breaks in season for whatever reason – seasons need flow and momentum.
Total lack of respect shown by some players to the match officials.
Reply #2
Name: Rob McEvoy
Twitter: @robmcevoythai
Likes
That it is growing and spreading - There is nothing like being involved in a sport that has "the buzz". TPL has that right now. Big cities and high level people want to be involved and follow Buriram's example. Nakhon Ratchasima have been promoted this year bringing crowds of 20k plus, Chiang Mai are close , Udon Thani building a new stadium, Ubon finished top of their Regional League. A TPL with CM, Udon, Ubon, Korat, Songkhla and Khon Kaen, as well as a better spread in Bangkok (SW Bkk and Samut Prakan getting teams) added to the big clubs involved right now would be be very exciting for sponsors.
New Winners of League (possibly) and Cups - A league can't be predictable if it wants to attract fans. Lots of teams need a chance to be able to win something. Chonburi could win the league. No one predicted that. BEC Tero won the Toyota Cup, and there will be a different winner of the FA Cup.
Always something going on - The TPL is a little bit crazy, like a ridiculous soap opera. Sometimes it drives you mad, but at least it’s interesting.
Fan Culture - Football is a fans game, something other countries have forgotten. Thai fans are noisy, passionate, and in the main very peaceful and fun. Included in this...
The Team Song - The team running to supporters and acknowledging them, especially the Buriram sway, is fantastic and gives fans real involvement. English clubs should copy this.
Acknowledgement of Opposition Team and Fans
The drums - really add to a big crowd
The Prices - Priced for the common man, with free entry for kids. Go to a game with friends or family, is good entertainment, social, snack, couple of drinks and costs less than a meal out in a Mall chain restaurant.
The Food & Drink - coming from England, the quality, range and price of food at Thai grounds is fantastic. Can sit down and eat at Muang Thong for 30B. Wembley its 250B for a pie!
Dislikes
Hiring & Firing of Coaches - I wouldn't want to be a coach in Thailand, and a lot of good coaches (Thai and foreign) who could improve football clubs in the long term are being judged on 1 slip, 1 bad decision or 1 conversation. Thai football would be better if it looked after good coaches who want to develop players, increase skills and knowledge and make successful clubs.
Poor Recruitment, Planning & Management - Some clubs do well, employ sports management professionals and make good, well thought out business based decisions and have planned, thought out recruitment strategies. Some clubs don't. It's good to see those who do overachieving in terms of league position, attendances and growth and I can only hope all clubs become examples of good practice. Football around the world tells me I shouldn't hold my breath.
Big Empty Stadiums (with running tracks) - Not all stadiums with running tracks are bad. There is great atmosphere at Suphanburi and Korat for example. Not all small stadiums rock with atmosphere (TOT I'm looking at you). However, big, empty stadiums with few fans and a running track sap the life out of games to the point where its hard work to watch and to play. Much better to adapt these big stadiums, or move to smaller football specific stadiums or develop a crowd.
Diving & Feigning Injury & Time Wasting - all rolled into 1. Every team does it when their 1 nil up and the referees are seemingly powerless to stop it. Blights the 2nd half of a lot of games.
Linesmen - I don't think the referees are that bad contrary to popular opinion. However the assistants are so bad that they dictate the style of football you can play. Trying to break the offside trap with a quick forward is very difficult.
Thai National Team
Thailand needs a stronger National Team. This would drive interest up further.
Lateness - Huddles have been discussed at length. I don't understand the need, but if teams came out earlier, games would start on time huddle or no huddle. On Saturday at BBCU the teams came out at 3.51pm, and the game kicked off on time. It can be done.
NCPO Broadcasts at the start of TPL games on TV - There is a full day of Sports repeats, and yet the minute the live sport comes on, the NCPO broadcast comes on meaning you miss up to half an hour of live sport. Surely there is a way around this. Really drives me mad.
True Sport lack of TPL Commentary - True coverage would be much enhanced with commentary, especially English commentary. It would drive up interest amongst foreigners and add to understanding.
Reply #3
Name: Roger Smith
Team supported: Buriram Utd
Twitter: @Binnsy1
Likes
1/Entrance Fees
2/Match day atmosphere
3/Cost of replica shirts.
4/Cost of away travel.
5/ Seeing Muang Thong struggle.
Dislikes
1/Standard of match officials.
2/ The Huddles
3/ Corruption.
4/ Cheer Leaders(exept BG Rabbits)
5/ Lack of information about Reserve/Youth games.
6/ Lack of consistency by FAT.
7/ Stadiums with Running Tracks.
Name: Malky
Twitter: @BKKFootballBlog
Likes:
The cheapness of the tickets
The wide variety of beer and food available at the stadium
The relaxed and friendly atmosphere in and around the stadiums
Being able to go to a game without the feeling of getting my head kicked in. Even when it does kick-off, I rarely feel threatened
Meeting up with different fans of different teams
Having the opportunity to travel to provinces I'd never visit unless there was a football match to watch there
Feeling like I'm getting involved in Thai society. I'm not a big fan of Thai music or entertainment so football gives me a chance to socialize with Thai people
Dislikes:
The Thai FA
The constant changes to the fixture schedule. It makes it very difficult to plan away trips
Club owners using Thai football to promote themselves
Players feigning injury
Players kicking the ball out of play when a player is feigning injury
Fans constantly feeling injustice towards their team. Sometimes you have to accept that your team does have an occasional stinker
Drummers arriving ten minutes late and then planting their drum kit two meters in front of me
8pm kick offs when I'm working the next day.
Getting taxis to and from stadia in the rainy season.
Reply #4
Name: Paul Murphy
Team supported: Army Utd
Twitter: @PaulmurphyBKK
Likes
Atmosphere
At first, I was bemused by the way that fans kept singing and drumming until the end of the game, regardless of performance. However, there is no doubt that it keeps spirits up through some of the most dire displays and there have been plenty of them this season.
Serenades
I know that some of the Tap Room regulars don’t share my view on this but I like the fact that the team goes to their own fans at the end of the game and is ‘serenaded’, regardless of the result. I also like that, usually, the opposition team and fans are applauded. Unthinkable in many countries but I think it helps keep the fragile peace…
Beer
Unfortunately, the choice is almost always limited to Leo or Chang but it is great to be able to sit and have a beer during a game. Very few countries in the world allow this – Germany and Japan are the exceptions I have experienced – and it is not consistent across the league but any civilised society should be trusted to be able to drink during a game of football without getting violent.
Supporting the local team
Many Thais are still left cold by the TPL but there has been a huge shift in the past 10 years when it comes to the teams that Thais support. The best example was when I was in Chiang Rai and there were club shirts everywhere. Ten years ago, the only shirts you would have seen were for European sides. Nowadays, you regularly see people sporting the colours of their favourite Thai team - as it should be but, nonetheless, a significant development.
Integration
It’s always difficult to integrate into a foreign culture due to lack of shared experience and knowledge. Thailand’s very different politics and, often, income disparities, are further obstacles. However, football is the international language that allows people to mix freely and a context in which it is easy to communicate with the locals.
Dislikes
Governance
The administration of the game in Thailand is a very bad joke. We shouldn’t be too judgemental given the fact that the football associations in many countries are guilty of failing to standardise disciplinary procedures, ludicrously refusing to revisit injustices if the referee has taken action during the game and adopting reactionary views on the use of video reviews. However, the FAT and TPL take incompetence to a new level. The 6-week late season break and subsequent scheduling confusion was farcical in the extreme. Arbitrary fines and punishments are routinely dished out and the nine-point penalty and fan ban for Thai Port and Muang Thong was preposterous. The most depressing aspect is that things are actually getting worse.
Refereeing
I’m sure I won’t be the only one to highlight this problem. Putting aside suspected corruption, what bothers me most is the way in which many refs call fouls for minimal physical contact but don’t have the bottle to make bigger decisions (penalties and red cards). Yellow cards are often shown for ridiculously routine fouls but players then get away with brutal challenges. It is infuriating.
Play acting
Sunday evening was another depressing example of the way in which players have become very well versed in the dark arts. With TPL survival at stake, it wasn’t surprising that Thai Port had a win-at-all-costs mentality against Army United, but it was still a dismal spectacle to watch their players (especially the goalkeeper) crumpling to the turf and staying down with depressingly predictable regularity. PTT Rayong were also very guilty of this when they played Army United earlier this season. The worst thing is that the younger generation have grown up accepting this as ‘part of the game’ so it won’t go away any time soon.
Tantrums
I’ve never seen so much spitting of the collective dummy as in Thailand, with many teams walking off the pitch (generally to return) after a decision goes against them. The worst example of this that I saw came last season when BEC Tero walked off after a marginal offside decision denied them a goal. There have been much worse decisions than that one.
Stadia
The recent TAP room debate highlighted the issues around the stadium experience. While stadium facilities are generally improving, one of the biggest issues concerning Thai stadia is accessibility. The prospect of trips to BEC Tero or Bangkok Glass should be appealing to any Bangkok-based fan, but there is a sense of dread relating to the question of getting there and getting back. More clubs should follow Army United’s example of providing buses for the fans to make these trips.
Reply #5
Name: Tommie Duncan
Team supported: Singhtarua
Twitter: @TJRDBKK
Whoa. A tough one for me considering the current circumstances.
Likes-
1. It's nice to have a live sport to go watch. It was something I missed about the US!
2. It's very inexpensive even at the most "expensive" stadiums
3. Lots of teams in the BKK area
4. I have met some good people
5. Thai fans really welcome foreign fans
6. A live match can be a very fun atmosphere
7. The sport's potential in Thailand. Whether it will be realized is another issue altogether
8. Away matches!
Dislikes-
1. The incompetence of the TPL and FAT. If there is a choice, they will make the wrong one. Won't even keep to a schedule. These folks have a bird's nest on the ground and can't take advantage of it. The TPL is not really visible. How much merch do you see in shopping malls? Media about town?
2. The lack of professionalism. Not only with FAT/TPL but with most teams. From the shop level (not being open during stated hours/not having a good stock of merch), up to administration, and in game coaching and management. It is just not up to par. High school American football teams in my home state of TX are run better.
3. Poor facilities and the lack of truly one purpose football stadiums
4. The drop in the quality of play since I have been a fan. Possibly due to more restrictions on the foreign quota
5. Growing hooliganism among the fans
6. Amazingly poor officiating
7. Corruption and the politicizing of the sport in Thailand
8. Fans should be the #1 consideration and they aren't. Not by most teams or by the TPL. The attitude seems to be "we are doing you a favor by having a team for you. Take it or leave it."
Reply #6
Name: Dominick Cartwright
Team supported: Singhtarua
Twitter: @dominick_1975
Likes
1) Singing and listening to Thai fans songs. Bangkok Glass have a song that goes along to the tune of Yellow Submarine, nice.
2) I like the fact that Buriram's Thunder Castle has a shooting range at the back of the ground, at PAT we just have shooting.
3) I like the motorbike taxi ride from my place to the home ground takes about 15 minutes I stick some tunes on at a dangerously high volume and hurtle down to the ground at break neck speed. I bump into random smiling fans on my way through Klong Toei and after N.W.A. have finished making their views on modern policing well known I'm there.
Dislikes
1) The re-branding of teams, changing team colours or badges. The TPL doesn't have much history, teams should try to hold on to some things that give the team a link to their past.
2) The fact that everyone is too frighten to vote against Worawi as the head of the F.A. People think he's going to win and are scared that if they don't vote for him they will be left out in the cold. He is our very own mini Sep Blatter.
3) I have to put my hands up and say this came from some of our fans this week. A Port defender made some room on the edge of the the opposition's box and looked like he had a slim chance with a BG defender baring down on him. Some people beside me were shouting at him to dive and go for the penalty. Seriously?
Chonburi Fan Profile - Phil Larkin: 2009
A profile of Chonburi fan, Phil Larkin, from October, 2009.
Name: Philip Alan Larkin
Nationality: I'm English and I come from the People's Republic of Middlesbrough
Q: Where do you live?
Naklua, Pattaya.
Q: Which was you first Chonburi game?
Being someone who promises a lot and rarely delivers, it was never my intention to fall in love with the Sharks. However, on a September evening in 2008, I did fall in love with them. I think Arthit scored early and we passed the opposition to death, but for the life of me I cannot remember who it was against.
Q: Why did you start supporting Chonburi?
Until Pattaya United came around, Chonburi was the closest place to watch top flight football so it was a no-brainer! The atmosphere and generosity of the fans made up for the appalling refereeing! And being a Middlesbrough fan, I will gladly chase any chance to become a "Glory Hunter"!
Q: Which other teams do you support?
Middlesbrough, Grangetown Boys Club and England. From a very early age, all three teams were drummed into me and I am glad they were because it has given me a very good grounding in life. Grangetown Boys Club was the team I played for as a youngster and my Dad managed the Senior team. England, purely because I am from there. And finally, Middlesbrough. Only something pure and totally beautiful, could get away with causing me so much harm.
I did not speak for four days after the League Cup Final defeat against Leicester and got the sack from Mothercare the year when I skipped work to go to the League Cup Final against Chelsea. I did get reinstated, no one else would get dressed up as a giant tree and stand outside to be punched by small children! But I love the Boro with every sinue of my being and I hope and pray that we get some success again soon.
Q: Who is your favourite Chonburi player?
Last year it was Pipob for sure, however I haven't been as impressed this season. Kone is either the best player in the world, or the worst, and Arthit could be a decent player if someone gave him a rocket and he applied himself for ninety minutes. However, this season the three players that have impressed me most have been Ekaphan, Micheal Byrne and Adul. I think these three could actually play at quite a high level.
Q: Which has been your most memorable match?
Seeing as Clint has already taken the Bangkok University game, which was awesome, I shall opt for the 3-2 win over SriRacha. Kosin got sent off and we were pulled back to 2-2. But Zico gambled and went for the win, and Ekaphan squeezed one in at the death.
In addition, I would also like to mention the 3-0 win against PEA Ayutthya. I spent the second half of the game dressed as a giant blue Shark, getting beaten up by small children and sweating profusely. However, I did get a nice round of applause and had a cold Fanta waiting for me when I got back!
Q: Can we win the league in 2010?
Yes!
Q: What do you think about the Chonburi Fan Club? Truly awesome! Well organised and welcoming. You cannot ask for more.
Q: Why do you think Chonburi have been so successful?
Well, they haven't won a trophy since I've been going so I am not a glory hunter! However, as with anything worth creating, it takes time. There appears to have been a natural evolution and it is evolving into something pretty big. If the clubs in the TPL can take on "Football in the Community" type projects within their local areas, I can see it only going further.
Muang Thong are getting mega crowds and Chonburi pull in large numbers on a regular basis so the potential is certainly there. Therefore, with the development of other stadia and clubs, the whole of the TPL can become massive, never mind just one or two clubs. In addition, there are a lot of very wealthy people in this country so they should start putting their hands in their pockets. You cannot spend it when you are dead!
Q: Do you have a message for the Chonburi fans?
Yes. I love you all. Thank you for allowing me into your lives.
Name: Philip Alan Larkin
Nationality: I'm English and I come from the People's Republic of Middlesbrough
Q: Where do you live?
Naklua, Pattaya.
Q: Which was you first Chonburi game?
Being someone who promises a lot and rarely delivers, it was never my intention to fall in love with the Sharks. However, on a September evening in 2008, I did fall in love with them. I think Arthit scored early and we passed the opposition to death, but for the life of me I cannot remember who it was against.
Q: Why did you start supporting Chonburi?
Until Pattaya United came around, Chonburi was the closest place to watch top flight football so it was a no-brainer! The atmosphere and generosity of the fans made up for the appalling refereeing! And being a Middlesbrough fan, I will gladly chase any chance to become a "Glory Hunter"!
Q: Which other teams do you support?
Middlesbrough, Grangetown Boys Club and England. From a very early age, all three teams were drummed into me and I am glad they were because it has given me a very good grounding in life. Grangetown Boys Club was the team I played for as a youngster and my Dad managed the Senior team. England, purely because I am from there. And finally, Middlesbrough. Only something pure and totally beautiful, could get away with causing me so much harm.
I did not speak for four days after the League Cup Final defeat against Leicester and got the sack from Mothercare the year when I skipped work to go to the League Cup Final against Chelsea. I did get reinstated, no one else would get dressed up as a giant tree and stand outside to be punched by small children! But I love the Boro with every sinue of my being and I hope and pray that we get some success again soon.
Q: Who is your favourite Chonburi player?
Last year it was Pipob for sure, however I haven't been as impressed this season. Kone is either the best player in the world, or the worst, and Arthit could be a decent player if someone gave him a rocket and he applied himself for ninety minutes. However, this season the three players that have impressed me most have been Ekaphan, Micheal Byrne and Adul. I think these three could actually play at quite a high level.
Q: Which has been your most memorable match?
Seeing as Clint has already taken the Bangkok University game, which was awesome, I shall opt for the 3-2 win over SriRacha. Kosin got sent off and we were pulled back to 2-2. But Zico gambled and went for the win, and Ekaphan squeezed one in at the death.
In addition, I would also like to mention the 3-0 win against PEA Ayutthya. I spent the second half of the game dressed as a giant blue Shark, getting beaten up by small children and sweating profusely. However, I did get a nice round of applause and had a cold Fanta waiting for me when I got back!
Q: Can we win the league in 2010?
Yes!
Q: What do you think about the Chonburi Fan Club? Truly awesome! Well organised and welcoming. You cannot ask for more.
Q: Why do you think Chonburi have been so successful?
Well, they haven't won a trophy since I've been going so I am not a glory hunter! However, as with anything worth creating, it takes time. There appears to have been a natural evolution and it is evolving into something pretty big. If the clubs in the TPL can take on "Football in the Community" type projects within their local areas, I can see it only going further.
Muang Thong are getting mega crowds and Chonburi pull in large numbers on a regular basis so the potential is certainly there. Therefore, with the development of other stadia and clubs, the whole of the TPL can become massive, never mind just one or two clubs. In addition, there are a lot of very wealthy people in this country so they should start putting their hands in their pockets. You cannot spend it when you are dead!
Q: Do you have a message for the Chonburi fans?
Yes. I love you all. Thank you for allowing me into your lives.
Monday 30 December 2019
NEW! VAR From The Madding Crowd by Russ John: 2019
In February of this year, Russ John wrote an article for my old site, in praise of VAR. In the wake of its adoption in the TPL - then hasty removal - and the current controvery of its use in the EPL, he has submitted a follow up piece suggesting we stick with it, in spite of the uproar. You can read both his arguments below:
VAR in the Dock
by Russ John
19th February, 2019
When attempting to justify the use of VAR, I firmly acknowledge that it will be a treacherous battle against football purists and indeed nailing my colours to the “goalpost”, I partially agree with their fears and doubts, but in an ever changing and technological world, the doubters are in fact a bunch of Luddites!
Straight from the offset I understand that football purists hate VAR, they contend that it interrupts play, it removes controversy and it undermines the authority of the officials. All valid points, but in my opinion, all these potential pitfalls of the system are counteracted by my overwhelming desire to see fair play, justice done and most importantly, because this is what football is all about, that the right team wins.
The game has changed, and it has become nearly impossible for referees to make accurate decisions – decisions which may decide a possible relegation or championship win. The game has become too fast and cheating by the players has become endemic – and further, the players are getting increasingly proficient at fooling the officials
It is no longer acceptable or tenable to put 100% faith in a quartet of officials who, after all,are mere mortals, with all the failings and frailties that this potentially entails.
Tennis, American Football, cricket and rugby union have made full and effective use of replay technology. Football should learn from these experiences, tweaking the systems to make them more complementary and sympathetic to our sport. Crikey, I don’t know about you, but many times as an armchair fan, I find it nearly impossible to make a decision, even after watching several replays. How on earth can a mere mortal ref get things 100% right in the heat of the moment in a hotbed atmosphere of a vital match?
A bad decision could rob a team of a vital point, a vital win, a trophy, a championship, or a World Cup! Not exactly VAR, but talking of World Cups, England World Cup winner, Sir Geoff Hurst says he wishes goal-line technology had been introduced 50 years ago – to stop the Germans complaining about his controversial World Cup final goal.
West Germany have always claimed Hurst’s second goal in England’s 4-2 win in the 1966 final did not cross the line after it bounced down off the crossbar. TV replays do seem to back up that theory, yet a definitive answer will never be established – “If we had this system 50 years ago, it would have shown quite clearly the ball was at least a foot over the line,” he said.
A couple of other advantages of using VAR. Match fixing could become a thing of the past, with dodgy decisions made by bent refs being overturned and surely that striker will think twice about a dive in the box, knowing that his actions, under greater scrutiny, may expose them to the inevitable yellow to follow.
So, let me try to answer the doubter’s fears.
Does VAR undermine the authority of the officials? I think not. To be fair, referees manage to do a very difficult job, on the whole. Very well, but they are making too many mistakes and their abilities are being overtaken by the general pace and vigour of modern football. VAR should be seen as additional support for the officials, and I feel that eventually officials will wonder how they ever managed without it.
Decisions are subjective. I have heard it said that VAR sometimes gets a decision wrong and that many incidents are very subjective. I am confident that mistakes made by VAR decisions will always be far outweighed by live match officials mistakes. The chance to have a second or third look at an incident surely guarantees that a more accurate appraisal is made.
It will slow down the game. The usual cry when technology is debated is, it will slow down the game – I think technology will add to the game. The use of technology in rugby and tennis and the way it is presented to the fans is excellent and enhances the spectacle – football must learn to move with the times. Perhaps we, as football fans, must adapt and embrace these new innovations. The technology is here, available and relatively cheap to implement, Surely the benefits of getting decisions right – decisions that could cost a team millions, far outweigh a couple of breaks in a match.
In conclusion, I fully appreciate the initial fears that fans have, however I do believe that the increasing use of technology will have to be embraced. Of course, the procedures will have to get slicker and officials will need to become more efficient in managing the systems – this will come with time. At the moment VAR actions are great for TV viewers but fans in the stadiums need to be better informed and large screens within stadia are essential.
If you are worried by the current technology, just wait for the arrival of AI with algorithms being used to instantly make decisions.
Come on football – prepare to drag yourself grudgingly into the 21st century.
VAR From the Madding Crowd
by Russ John
30th December, 2019
Stuff VAR! But wait, not just yet!!
OK I’m ready for the executioners, I’m ready to defend the indefensible. VAR has had a bad week and as a Wolves fan having a well-deserved point taken off new EPL champs, Liverpool, because a Wolves forward didn’t have his toenails clipped prematch, I’m well pissed off.
And, as for the Virgil van Dijk handball… woah wait a minute…all of the controversial decisions made last night at Anfield were 100% correct, as are, let’s be honest most VAR decisions.
OK VAR really is a sorry sack of shite, it’s ruining the game as a spectacle and we’re all bloody sick of it... in its present form. I for one am terrified of the thought of how Thailand is going to cope with the system next season. It will be an unmitigated disaster.
OK here goes …the “offside by a few millimeters” is silliness, it has to change. The offside law in its present from does not discriminate between a millimeter or a yard - offside is offside. The technology available has presented us with a problem that we have never had before. The protocols need changing, not the system - and they will be.
While I’m at it, the ball hitting arms in the box is another law that needs modifying, whilst not directly the fault of VAR, VAR makes it easier to spot and analyse such occurrences, again change the protocol not the system.
Well, I’ve done my best and wait with weak knees for reactions. VAR is not going to disappear. With experience and tweaking it will become a welcome addition to our great game, just give it a season or two. Those in power are not mugs, changes based on experience will come. How about a “two challenges per team” system for a start. Ditch the obvious anomaly of the offside decisions, speed up the processes and just be grateful that your favourite team might just win a cup due to a wrong decision being overturned by VAR!!
VAR in the Dock
by Russ John
19th February, 2019
When attempting to justify the use of VAR, I firmly acknowledge that it will be a treacherous battle against football purists and indeed nailing my colours to the “goalpost”, I partially agree with their fears and doubts, but in an ever changing and technological world, the doubters are in fact a bunch of Luddites!
Straight from the offset I understand that football purists hate VAR, they contend that it interrupts play, it removes controversy and it undermines the authority of the officials. All valid points, but in my opinion, all these potential pitfalls of the system are counteracted by my overwhelming desire to see fair play, justice done and most importantly, because this is what football is all about, that the right team wins.
The game has changed, and it has become nearly impossible for referees to make accurate decisions – decisions which may decide a possible relegation or championship win. The game has become too fast and cheating by the players has become endemic – and further, the players are getting increasingly proficient at fooling the officials
It is no longer acceptable or tenable to put 100% faith in a quartet of officials who, after all,are mere mortals, with all the failings and frailties that this potentially entails.
Tennis, American Football, cricket and rugby union have made full and effective use of replay technology. Football should learn from these experiences, tweaking the systems to make them more complementary and sympathetic to our sport. Crikey, I don’t know about you, but many times as an armchair fan, I find it nearly impossible to make a decision, even after watching several replays. How on earth can a mere mortal ref get things 100% right in the heat of the moment in a hotbed atmosphere of a vital match?
A bad decision could rob a team of a vital point, a vital win, a trophy, a championship, or a World Cup! Not exactly VAR, but talking of World Cups, England World Cup winner, Sir Geoff Hurst says he wishes goal-line technology had been introduced 50 years ago – to stop the Germans complaining about his controversial World Cup final goal.
West Germany have always claimed Hurst’s second goal in England’s 4-2 win in the 1966 final did not cross the line after it bounced down off the crossbar. TV replays do seem to back up that theory, yet a definitive answer will never be established – “If we had this system 50 years ago, it would have shown quite clearly the ball was at least a foot over the line,” he said.
A couple of other advantages of using VAR. Match fixing could become a thing of the past, with dodgy decisions made by bent refs being overturned and surely that striker will think twice about a dive in the box, knowing that his actions, under greater scrutiny, may expose them to the inevitable yellow to follow.
So, let me try to answer the doubter’s fears.
Does VAR undermine the authority of the officials? I think not. To be fair, referees manage to do a very difficult job, on the whole. Very well, but they are making too many mistakes and their abilities are being overtaken by the general pace and vigour of modern football. VAR should be seen as additional support for the officials, and I feel that eventually officials will wonder how they ever managed without it.
Decisions are subjective. I have heard it said that VAR sometimes gets a decision wrong and that many incidents are very subjective. I am confident that mistakes made by VAR decisions will always be far outweighed by live match officials mistakes. The chance to have a second or third look at an incident surely guarantees that a more accurate appraisal is made.
It will slow down the game. The usual cry when technology is debated is, it will slow down the game – I think technology will add to the game. The use of technology in rugby and tennis and the way it is presented to the fans is excellent and enhances the spectacle – football must learn to move with the times. Perhaps we, as football fans, must adapt and embrace these new innovations. The technology is here, available and relatively cheap to implement, Surely the benefits of getting decisions right – decisions that could cost a team millions, far outweigh a couple of breaks in a match.
In conclusion, I fully appreciate the initial fears that fans have, however I do believe that the increasing use of technology will have to be embraced. Of course, the procedures will have to get slicker and officials will need to become more efficient in managing the systems – this will come with time. At the moment VAR actions are great for TV viewers but fans in the stadiums need to be better informed and large screens within stadia are essential.
If you are worried by the current technology, just wait for the arrival of AI with algorithms being used to instantly make decisions.
Come on football – prepare to drag yourself grudgingly into the 21st century.
VAR From the Madding Crowd
by Russ John
30th December, 2019
Stuff VAR! But wait, not just yet!!
OK I’m ready for the executioners, I’m ready to defend the indefensible. VAR has had a bad week and as a Wolves fan having a well-deserved point taken off new EPL champs, Liverpool, because a Wolves forward didn’t have his toenails clipped prematch, I’m well pissed off.
And, as for the Virgil van Dijk handball… woah wait a minute…all of the controversial decisions made last night at Anfield were 100% correct, as are, let’s be honest most VAR decisions.
OK VAR really is a sorry sack of shite, it’s ruining the game as a spectacle and we’re all bloody sick of it... in its present form. I for one am terrified of the thought of how Thailand is going to cope with the system next season. It will be an unmitigated disaster.
OK here goes …the “offside by a few millimeters” is silliness, it has to change. The offside law in its present from does not discriminate between a millimeter or a yard - offside is offside. The technology available has presented us with a problem that we have never had before. The protocols need changing, not the system - and they will be.
While I’m at it, the ball hitting arms in the box is another law that needs modifying, whilst not directly the fault of VAR, VAR makes it easier to spot and analyse such occurrences, again change the protocol not the system.
Well, I’ve done my best and wait with weak knees for reactions. VAR is not going to disappear. With experience and tweaking it will become a welcome addition to our great game, just give it a season or two. Those in power are not mugs, changes based on experience will come. How about a “two challenges per team” system for a start. Ditch the obvious anomaly of the offside decisions, speed up the processes and just be grateful that your favourite team might just win a cup due to a wrong decision being overturned by VAR!!
TPL Pre Season Predictions: 2010
At the start of 2010 I asked various webmasters and Thai football fans for their thoughts on the upcoming season. Below you can see their predictions for the TPL top and bottom 4, the FA Cup winners and the league's leading scorer. At the foot of the page I've added an overall prediction table based on the votes cast. The points were awarded as follows:
Top 4
1st place = 4pts
2nd place = 3pts
3rd place = 2pts
4th place = 1pt
Bottom 4
13th place = 1pt
14th place = 2pts
15th place = 3pts
16th place = 4pts
TPL 2010 by Druryfire
Top 4
1. Bangkok Glass
2. Muangthong Utd
3. Chonburi
4. Thai Port
TPL 2010
Bottom 4
13. Pattaya Utd
14. Navy Rayong
15. Sisaket
16. Army
FA Cup Winners
Chonburi
TPL Leading Scorer
Nantawat Tansopa - Police United
TPL 2010 by Greg www.muangthongunitedfc.blogspot.com
Top 4
1. Bangkok Glass
2. Muangthong Utd
3. Chonburi
4. PEA Buriram
TPL 2010
Bottom 4
13. TOT
14. Sisaket
15. TTM Pichit
16. Army FC
FA Cup Winners
Thai Port
TPL Leading Scorer
Berkant Gotken - Muangthong Utd
TPL 2010 by Sven www.thai-fussball.de
Top 4
1. Muangthong Utd
2. Bangkok Glass
3. PEA Buriram
4. Chonburi
TPL 2010
Bottom 4
13. Army
14. Samut
15. TOT
16. TTM
FA Cup Winners
Bangkok Glass
TPL Leading Scorer
Berkant Goktan - Muangthong Utd
TPL 2010 by Marco www.thaiportfc.blogspot.com
Top 4
1. Bangkok Glass
2. Muangthong United
3. Chonburi
4. BEC Tero
TPL 2010
Bottom 4
13. Sisaket
14. Samut Songkhram
15. Army
16. TTM
FA Cup Winners
BEC Tero TPL
Leading Scorer
Sarayoot Chaikamdee - Thai Port
TPL 2010 by Nigel www.thaileaguefootball.com
Top 4
1. Bangkok Glass
2. Muangthong United
3. Police United
4. Chonburi
TPL 2010
Bottom 4
13. Sisaket
14. TOT
15. TTM
16. Army
FA Cup Winners
Bangkok Glass
TPL Leading Scorer
Leesaw - Muangthong Utd
TPL 2010 by Vinnie www.clubwebsite.co.uk/koratfc
Top 4
1. Muangthong United
2. Bangkok Glass
3. Chonburi
4. BEC Tero
TPL 2010
Bottom 4
13. Police Utd
14. TOT
15. Army
16. TTM
FA Cup Winners
Chonburi
TPL Leading Scorer
Teerasil Dangda - Muangthong Utd
TPL 2010 by Lulu - Chonburi fan
Top 4
1. Muangthong Utd
2. Bangkok Glass
3. Chonburi
4. Police Utd
TPL 2010
Bottom 4
13. Samut Songkhram.
14. TTM
15. Sisaket
16. Pattaya Utd
FA Cup Winners
No answer
TPL Leading Scorer
Leesaw - Muangthong Utd
TPL 2010 by Andy Potten www.bangkokglassfc.webs.com
Top 4
1. Muangthong Utd
2. Bangkok Glass
3. BEC Tero
4. Chonburi
TPL 2010
Bottom 4
13. Osotspa
14. TTM
15. Army
16. TOT CAT
FA Cup Winners
Chonburi
TPL Leading Scorer
Anon Sangsanoi - BEC Tero
TPL 2010 by Me www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc
Top 4
1. Bangkok Glass
2. Muangthong Utd
3. BEC Tero
4. Chonburi
TPL 2010
Bottom 4
13. Sisaket
14. Army
15. Police
16. Samut Songkhram
FA Cup Winners
BEC Tero
TPL Leading Scorer
Ney Fabiano - Bangkok Glass
OVERALL PREDICTION RESULTS
Top 4
1. Bangkok Glass 32pts
2. Muangthong United 31pts
3. Chonburi 14pts
4. BEC Tero 6pts
Bottom 4
13. Sisaket 11pts
14. TOT 12pts
15. TTM 22pts
16. Army 24pts
FA Cup Winners
Chonburi 3 votes
2010: WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED
Top 4
1. Muang Thong Utd
2. Buriram PEA
3. Chonburi
4. Thai Port
Bottom 4
13. TTM
14. Sisaket
15. Bangkok Utd
16. Army
FA Cup Winners
Chonburi
TPL Leading Scorer
Kengne Ludovick - Pattaya Utd
Top 4
1st place = 4pts
2nd place = 3pts
3rd place = 2pts
4th place = 1pt
Bottom 4
13th place = 1pt
14th place = 2pts
15th place = 3pts
16th place = 4pts
PREDICTIONS
TPL 2010 by Druryfire
Top 4
1. Bangkok Glass
2. Muangthong Utd
3. Chonburi
4. Thai Port
TPL 2010
Bottom 4
13. Pattaya Utd
14. Navy Rayong
15. Sisaket
16. Army
FA Cup Winners
Chonburi
TPL Leading Scorer
Nantawat Tansopa - Police United
TPL 2010 by Greg www.muangthongunitedfc.blogspot.com
Top 4
1. Bangkok Glass
2. Muangthong Utd
3. Chonburi
4. PEA Buriram
TPL 2010
Bottom 4
13. TOT
14. Sisaket
15. TTM Pichit
16. Army FC
FA Cup Winners
Thai Port
TPL Leading Scorer
Berkant Gotken - Muangthong Utd
TPL 2010 by Sven www.thai-fussball.de
Top 4
1. Muangthong Utd
2. Bangkok Glass
3. PEA Buriram
4. Chonburi
TPL 2010
Bottom 4
13. Army
14. Samut
15. TOT
16. TTM
FA Cup Winners
Bangkok Glass
TPL Leading Scorer
Berkant Goktan - Muangthong Utd
TPL 2010 by Marco www.thaiportfc.blogspot.com
Top 4
1. Bangkok Glass
2. Muangthong United
3. Chonburi
4. BEC Tero
TPL 2010
Bottom 4
13. Sisaket
14. Samut Songkhram
15. Army
16. TTM
FA Cup Winners
BEC Tero TPL
Leading Scorer
Sarayoot Chaikamdee - Thai Port
TPL 2010 by Nigel www.thaileaguefootball.com
Top 4
1. Bangkok Glass
2. Muangthong United
3. Police United
4. Chonburi
TPL 2010
Bottom 4
13. Sisaket
14. TOT
15. TTM
16. Army
FA Cup Winners
Bangkok Glass
TPL Leading Scorer
Leesaw - Muangthong Utd
TPL 2010 by Vinnie www.clubwebsite.co.uk/koratfc
Top 4
1. Muangthong United
2. Bangkok Glass
3. Chonburi
4. BEC Tero
TPL 2010
Bottom 4
13. Police Utd
14. TOT
15. Army
16. TTM
FA Cup Winners
Chonburi
TPL Leading Scorer
Teerasil Dangda - Muangthong Utd
TPL 2010 by Lulu - Chonburi fan
Top 4
1. Muangthong Utd
2. Bangkok Glass
3. Chonburi
4. Police Utd
TPL 2010
Bottom 4
13. Samut Songkhram.
14. TTM
15. Sisaket
16. Pattaya Utd
FA Cup Winners
No answer
TPL Leading Scorer
Leesaw - Muangthong Utd
TPL 2010 by Andy Potten www.bangkokglassfc.webs.com
Top 4
1. Muangthong Utd
2. Bangkok Glass
3. BEC Tero
4. Chonburi
TPL 2010
Bottom 4
13. Osotspa
14. TTM
15. Army
16. TOT CAT
FA Cup Winners
Chonburi
TPL Leading Scorer
Anon Sangsanoi - BEC Tero
TPL 2010 by Me www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc
Top 4
1. Bangkok Glass
2. Muangthong Utd
3. BEC Tero
4. Chonburi
TPL 2010
Bottom 4
13. Sisaket
14. Army
15. Police
16. Samut Songkhram
FA Cup Winners
BEC Tero
TPL Leading Scorer
Ney Fabiano - Bangkok Glass
OVERALL PREDICTION RESULTS
Top 4
1. Bangkok Glass 32pts
2. Muangthong United 31pts
3. Chonburi 14pts
4. BEC Tero 6pts
Bottom 4
13. Sisaket 11pts
14. TOT 12pts
15. TTM 22pts
16. Army 24pts
FA Cup Winners
Chonburi 3 votes
2010: WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED
Top 4
1. Muang Thong Utd
2. Buriram PEA
3. Chonburi
4. Thai Port
Bottom 4
13. TTM
14. Sisaket
15. Bangkok Utd
16. Army
FA Cup Winners
Chonburi
TPL Leading Scorer
Kengne Ludovick - Pattaya Utd
Chonburi 7-5 Chiang Mai - Match Report & Highlights: 2019
T1
Chonburi 7-5 Chiang Mai (HT 4-2)
Scorers: Lukian (5), Sittichok, Si Thu Aung
Chonburi Stadium
Attendance: 3,390
Sunday 21st April
Chonburi line up
23. Kampol Pathom-Attakul
2. Noppanon Kachpalayuk
30. Kim Gyeong-Min
3. Zaw Min Tun
6. Alongkorn Prathumwong
19. Saharat Sonthisawat
24. Phanupong Phonsa
45. Park Hyun-Boem
10. Kroerkrit Thaweekarn (16. Si Thu Aung)
46. Patrick Cruz (22. Wattanasap Jarensri)
91. Lukian (11. Sittichok Phaso)
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
Man of the Match: Lukian
Match Report
How do you write a report for a match like this? Ninety minutes of absolute mayhem with more incident and excitement than we usually get in a whole season. It was madness, I tell ya. Madness!
There’s no point in trying to analyse the game, focus on the numerous mistakes made by the players on both teams or criticise the tactics. No, it’s far better to concentrate on the fact that we were regally entertained by two teams who tore up all the coaching manuals and played as if their lives depended on it. Just like we used to in the school playground.
Sure, there’ll be some people out there who will see this as a bad reflection of the Thai league. They’ll use the 7-5 scoreline to label it amateurish, naive, undisciplined etc – and I have seen a number of negative comments on social media – but let ’em. I’d much rather watch a twelve goal thriller than a flawless, tactically perfect 0-0 or 1-0. “Sunday morning pub football” was one comment I read. Well, I’d happily get up early on the Sabbath to watch more matches like the one I saw last night. Even if it meant missing ‘The Archers’ omnibus.
And what about Lukian? What a revelation he has been. His five goal haul last night – the highest by any Chonburi player in a single top flight fixture – has seen him rocket to the top of the scoring charts. And on this form, he’s going to take some shifting from this lofty peak. It’s a well worn cliche, but he really did look like he was going to score every time he got the ball…and very nearly did! The Chiang Mai defenders looked terrified and didn’t know how to stop him. Certainly not legally. It’s so nice to have a player who gets the fans buzzing like he does. It’s been a long time since we’ve had anyone who’s done that.
Credit too must go to his strike partner, Patrick Cruz. Even though the Brazilian has yet to find the net for the Sharks, his contribution can’t be overlooked. He takes a lot of the pressure off his compatriot and makes lots of unselfish runs to give his mate more space. It’s only a matter of time before he breaks his duck, and then we’ll see some fireworks. Imagine two of them banging in the goals! We could well break a few more records this year.
But whatever happens from here on in, we’ll always have April 21st, 2019. I don’t think I’ve ever had as much fun inside a football ground as I did yesterday evening. And I doubt I will again. Although with this Chonburi team…anything is possible!
Sunday 29 December 2019
Royal Thai Navy, Osotsapa & Port Authority of Thailand - Club Details: 2001
Royal Thai Navy FC
Osotsapa FC
Port Authority of Thailand FC
Chonburi Fan Profile - Clint Falcus: 2009
A profile of Chonburi fan, Clint Falcus, from October, 2009.
Name : Clint Falcus
Nationality : English
Q : Where do you live?
Currently in Bucharest, Romania
Q : Which was your 1st Chonburi match?
Do you know? I can't remember... it would have been a home match in 2008. And it would have been good.
Q : Why did you start supporting Chonburi?
Peer pressure... To be honest I'd been out in Thailand a while and had heard literally nothing of Thai football. A friend of mine is an ardent supporter and I was interested to see what went on. I wasn't expecting much, not much at all but I was blown away by the professionalism, the ambition and potential and mostly the atmosphere; not just from the fans, but the honesty and warmth of the players that comes across, something I don't believe that you get in many leagues anymore these days.
Q : Which other teams -Thai or foreign- do you support?
Mainly Newcastle, and my interest and enjoyment has recently surged no longer being a part of the nonsensical circus that is the English Premier League. Also, occasionally Reading as it was my home town back in England, convenience supporting...
Q : Who is your favourite current Chonburi player?
I always has a soft spot for Pipob... maybe because I am fairly large and he is so small... Maybe because we play with contrasting styles; me with more than a modicum of physical presence (I was once dubbed 'Ram Raider') and he has an exquisite touch. But also because he works hard and is surprisingly good in the air for one so diminutive. I appreciate that he must work hard on areas of the game which aren't his natural strengths...
Q : Which has been your most memorable Chonburi match so far?
Without doubt it would be the match away against Bangkok University in September 2008. In fact I think it is the most memorable match I've ever been to anywhere. We were losing but came back to win 3-2. Not only a great football match, but at half time we were treated to the greatest display of acrobatics from the cheerleaders. I don't think I'm alone in having etched this into my memory.
Q : Do you think we can still win the league?
It is hard to say having left Thailand back in June... though this website provides me with some idea of form... I think we should win the league... I think that last season a lack of form, particularly scoring goals towards the tail end of the season cost us the title, I don't see a repeat of that happening again and a strong finish will see us be Champions again. If so I'll be celebrating wherever I may be...
Q : What do you think about the Chonburi Fan Club?
Most fan clubs probably don't have that much to do with the club other than organising buses. For me Chonburi is all about the fan club and the fans.
Q : Why do you think that Chonburi have been so successful?
I think because they have taken their time and structured the club properly. Starting at the bottom and slowly drawing people in with an improving team and promotion, culminating in winning the league. An organic growth. If they were an American sports team they would have made a film about them.
Q : Finally, is there anything you'd like to say to the other Chonburi fans?
Never have I been anywhere in the world where I have been made to feel more welcome. Except maybe at my Mum's house. Oh, and thanks for sharing all the beer.
King's Cup Thailand v Iraq - Ticket: 2007
King's Cup
Thailand 1-0 Iraq
Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok
29th December, 2007
Zico’s Resignation Creates More Problems Than Solutions by Gian Chansrichawla: 2017
Zico’s Resignation Creates More Problems Than Solutions
by Gian Chansrichawla
1st April, 2017
Kiatisuk “Zico” Senamuang shall always be remembered as a legendary player and manager for the Thailand national football team. The release of news on Friday 31st March, 2017, detailing his resignation as coach of the Thai national team came as a shock. Despite recent results in the World Cup Qualifying being rather poor, for various reasons as I outlined in a now irrelevant editorial detailing the reasons why Zico should absolutely not be relieved of his position.
It is fair to point out that this is, on paper, a ‘resignation’ from Zico. However, suspicion exists that the decision may have come following pressure from the higher echelons of the Thai FA. Recent quotes from Zico, reported by the Bangkok Post, corroborate this statement. “We are all answerable to the Thai fans,” Zico claimed, “ so let them be the judge and if they are not happy, I am ready to be sacked.”
While these quotes do indicate that Zico was looking nervously over his shoulder at the possibility that he may not be in a job following the dismal results, they do not sound like a man who is going to turn his back on his country after devoting so much time to it. Whether or not Zico’s decision was made with complete autonomy, it is clear that the Thai FA have developed an uneasy relationship with their boss in the last few weeks. A dramatic scenario concerning the coach’s new contract weeks before the World Cup Qualifying matches against Japan and Saudi Arabia served to highlight this rift.
Despite the recent results, the Thai FA have absolutely no justification for even considering action against their manager. Thailand’s next game of significant consequence is set to come at the AFC Cup in 2019, 2 years from now, in a tournament which they have already qualified for. This given Zico an unprecedented time to sort out the squad and build for the future.
Zico was not concerned about the results in those two matches. If he was, we would have seen a defensive performance against Japan, sitting back in a resolute row of five and refusing to come out of the defensive area, reducing the attack plan to long, meandering runs from Chanathip or Siroch. Instead, Zico wanted to test his team against the best - by playing the expansive, attacking football that he was always striving for. Thailand didn’t go to Japan for a result, they went for a test of their limits. While the result would not have been positive, Zico is turning a dead qualifying campaign into something that could lay the groundwork for a successful future for Thailand.
Sadly, the Thai FA have completely refused to see that. They want immediate results in a business where it almost impossible to get immediate results. Despite seeing that Zico had already given them the moon, the gluttonous hierarchy of this nation’s football association wanted him to give them the sun as well.
Inevitably, the conversation must shift to Zico’s replacement. Obviously, a new managerial option is not limited to a Thai. The notion that a national team can only be managed by a coach from that country is outdated and plainly wrong. However, the learning curve for a foreign coach would be steep, as can be seen with the previous foreigners which have taken charge of the Thai national team. Not many top managers on the market that would take the job are significantly better than the ones Thailand have had before, and Zico has already outperformed most of them. Adapting to Thai football could be an issue for any manager that they bring in.
Local options may be limited, but it may be the best way to go. Zico is arguably the best Thai manager. While Muangthong United’s coach Totchtawan Sripan has elevated the side to new levels of professionalism with a rhetoric of hard work and determination, his appointment would not be much of a departure from Zico’s regime. Sripan has an unbelievable record as coach of Muangthong, but there are times where it seems like he is reading from Zico’s tactical playbook, such as his set up against Korean side Ulsan Hyundai. Thai being said, recent results such as the home victory over Kashima Antlers surely put him on the radar for the job.
Another good option for the Thai FA is Bangkok United’s coach Mano Polking. Despite being a foreigner, Mano has worked with many of these Thai players before as an assistant coach to National Team boss Winfried Schafer and has been in Thailand for more than four years now. Bangkok United have improved every year under Mano’s stewardship, going from 13th to 2nd in his three years at the club. While his side may have gotten off to a poor start this season, it is difficult to question Mano’s ability as a manager. At just 41, he has time on his hands, but experience may count against them. His charismatic personality and attack-minded philosophy, coupled with his team’s inability to close out games defensively remind me somewhat of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Taking the job could be a steep learning curve for Mano, but he is a more than capable option for the Thai FA.
Zico’s resignation leaves a team that was going on an upward trajectory now rather lost and derailed. While more options from outside the country are available, it may be wiser going with a coach who is already familiar with the national team setup. However, any of these appointments would reduce the competitiveness of the Thai T1 League, another competition which the FA is responsible for. A difficult balancing act follows for the Thai FA.
A record goalscorer as a player and an overachiever as a manager, Kiatisuk Senamuang will always remain in the hearts of Thai football fans.
by Gian Chansrichawla
1st April, 2017
Kiatisuk “Zico” Senamuang shall always be remembered as a legendary player and manager for the Thailand national football team. The release of news on Friday 31st March, 2017, detailing his resignation as coach of the Thai national team came as a shock. Despite recent results in the World Cup Qualifying being rather poor, for various reasons as I outlined in a now irrelevant editorial detailing the reasons why Zico should absolutely not be relieved of his position.
It is fair to point out that this is, on paper, a ‘resignation’ from Zico. However, suspicion exists that the decision may have come following pressure from the higher echelons of the Thai FA. Recent quotes from Zico, reported by the Bangkok Post, corroborate this statement. “We are all answerable to the Thai fans,” Zico claimed, “ so let them be the judge and if they are not happy, I am ready to be sacked.”
While these quotes do indicate that Zico was looking nervously over his shoulder at the possibility that he may not be in a job following the dismal results, they do not sound like a man who is going to turn his back on his country after devoting so much time to it. Whether or not Zico’s decision was made with complete autonomy, it is clear that the Thai FA have developed an uneasy relationship with their boss in the last few weeks. A dramatic scenario concerning the coach’s new contract weeks before the World Cup Qualifying matches against Japan and Saudi Arabia served to highlight this rift.
Despite the recent results, the Thai FA have absolutely no justification for even considering action against their manager. Thailand’s next game of significant consequence is set to come at the AFC Cup in 2019, 2 years from now, in a tournament which they have already qualified for. This given Zico an unprecedented time to sort out the squad and build for the future.
Zico was not concerned about the results in those two matches. If he was, we would have seen a defensive performance against Japan, sitting back in a resolute row of five and refusing to come out of the defensive area, reducing the attack plan to long, meandering runs from Chanathip or Siroch. Instead, Zico wanted to test his team against the best - by playing the expansive, attacking football that he was always striving for. Thailand didn’t go to Japan for a result, they went for a test of their limits. While the result would not have been positive, Zico is turning a dead qualifying campaign into something that could lay the groundwork for a successful future for Thailand.
Sadly, the Thai FA have completely refused to see that. They want immediate results in a business where it almost impossible to get immediate results. Despite seeing that Zico had already given them the moon, the gluttonous hierarchy of this nation’s football association wanted him to give them the sun as well.
Inevitably, the conversation must shift to Zico’s replacement. Obviously, a new managerial option is not limited to a Thai. The notion that a national team can only be managed by a coach from that country is outdated and plainly wrong. However, the learning curve for a foreign coach would be steep, as can be seen with the previous foreigners which have taken charge of the Thai national team. Not many top managers on the market that would take the job are significantly better than the ones Thailand have had before, and Zico has already outperformed most of them. Adapting to Thai football could be an issue for any manager that they bring in.
Local options may be limited, but it may be the best way to go. Zico is arguably the best Thai manager. While Muangthong United’s coach Totchtawan Sripan has elevated the side to new levels of professionalism with a rhetoric of hard work and determination, his appointment would not be much of a departure from Zico’s regime. Sripan has an unbelievable record as coach of Muangthong, but there are times where it seems like he is reading from Zico’s tactical playbook, such as his set up against Korean side Ulsan Hyundai. Thai being said, recent results such as the home victory over Kashima Antlers surely put him on the radar for the job.
Another good option for the Thai FA is Bangkok United’s coach Mano Polking. Despite being a foreigner, Mano has worked with many of these Thai players before as an assistant coach to National Team boss Winfried Schafer and has been in Thailand for more than four years now. Bangkok United have improved every year under Mano’s stewardship, going from 13th to 2nd in his three years at the club. While his side may have gotten off to a poor start this season, it is difficult to question Mano’s ability as a manager. At just 41, he has time on his hands, but experience may count against them. His charismatic personality and attack-minded philosophy, coupled with his team’s inability to close out games defensively remind me somewhat of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Taking the job could be a steep learning curve for Mano, but he is a more than capable option for the Thai FA.
Zico’s resignation leaves a team that was going on an upward trajectory now rather lost and derailed. While more options from outside the country are available, it may be wiser going with a coach who is already familiar with the national team setup. However, any of these appointments would reduce the competitiveness of the Thai T1 League, another competition which the FA is responsible for. A difficult balancing act follows for the Thai FA.
A record goalscorer as a player and an overachiever as a manager, Kiatisuk Senamuang will always remain in the hearts of Thai football fans.
Saturday 28 December 2019
Chonburi 1-1 Osotspa & PEA 0-0 Chonburi - Highlights: 2008
TPL
Chonburi 1-1 Osotspa
Princess Srindhorn Stadium, SriRacha
23rd August, 2008
TPL
PEA 0-0 Chonburi
Ayutthya Central Sports Stadium
30th August, 2008
Interview With Goran Barjaktarevic: 2018
Goran Barjaktarevic resigned as Chonburi head coach following the 2-1 defeat at Buriram Utd on the 31st March, 2018, after just three months and eight matches in charge. I caught up with him a couple of days later for this candid interview.
Firstly, please can you clear up any confusion: Was it your decision to leave or the did the club let you go?
The official statement released by the club at the time, is correct. It was my decision to leave. I really have nothing else to add. We talked and parted on very friendly terms.
Are you able to give us the reasons for your resignation?
I have never wanted to participate in any "games of thrones" type scenario at any club. This has never been my intention and I will always stay that way. I am always only interested in doing my job with the team, the best way I can. In the past, in Germany, I had a few very bad experiences and these taught me a lot.
Some people at some clubs where I have worked, have used me in order to gain leading positions within those organisations. There were whispered conversations and misleading information given out, such as ‘the coach said this’ or ‘he said that’.They were nice to my face, but not behind my back. If you work in a country where you do not speak the language, they do not have to whisper in such situations. They can have these conversations in front of you knowing that you can’t understand.
As a football coach you are powerless to do anything about it, or "to drag the truth into the light". What's worse, is that you do not know who is spreading such shit. Maybe your overambitious assistant coach, who wants to take over your job? Or someone close to a player who only sits on the bench? Or someone from the club's board who wants to install a coach who will be obedient to him?
But even if you know who they are, your hands are bound. You cannot drag yourself down to such a primitive level because you are not just a coach, you are the moral authority for players, fans and the public at large. You earn your money according to the highest ethical principles. The others can use the dirtiest "weaponry", and then bypass any accountability, because they work "undercover" and they reject any kind of responsibility.
In situations like this, you are only a victim and staying would only have a negative effect on your reputation. I learned when is the time to go, and "let it go" and that time had come at Chonburi.
What do you consider your best achievements during your short time at Chonburi?
The first achievement is, that despite the some language difficulties, I built a very good relationship with all players. I'm very proud of that.
The second achievement is, that we managed to stabilise the defence in such a short space of time. We made it hard for any team to score against us. I'm very proud of that too.
Finally, we brought the team spirit to a very high level so that every player fights for the team until the last second of the game.
And what - with hindsight - would you have done differently?
I would not have done anything differently from what I did, for a very simple reason. My real position in the club hierarchy did not allow me to do anything different from what and how I did it. You have to understand that this is the way at the club. The fact is, Chonburi FC is not my private property. This means I could only change something there with agreement from the club's executives. There was no such cooperation and I felt that the club didn’t want to improve things. Therefore,I accepted this and behaved according to the prescribed rules.
What positives have you taken away from your time here?
The whole situation and the conditions in which I worked at Chonburi FC were a totally new experience for me. They are a very important part of my learning curve and will help me a lot in the future, if I continue to work in Thailand.
And any negatives?
Things are negative only if you reflect on them as negative. I am definitely not like this. Even if someone throws stones my way, I will collect the stones and build something nice out of them.
How closely have you followed the team's fortunes since you left?
Very closely. I've already said that I built a very close personal relationship with the players. The fact that I am no longer the coach of Chonburi FC means nothing in that respect. I wish the boys success from the bottom of my heart. For that reason, I follow how they play very passionately.
What have you been doing since you left the club?
At first, I had some family commitments. Because I was very much focused on the club for a few months I had neglected everything else. After that, I allowed myself a two week break from anything to do with football, except watching the games on the television. Now I am slowly getting into the phase when I start to plan my future. My current phase can be called "an active holiday".
How are you enjoying your down time in Thailand?
Without wanting to resorting to compulsory niceties here, I like this country very much. I like the friendly people, this culture, and I feel very comfortable in Thailand.
Ideally, what would you like to do next?
I would like to work with a club which has a clearly defined goal for this season and a development plan for the future. A club which also shows practical willingness to really achieve their goals. All I expect from a new club is an opportunity for open discussions, in which they tell me which players they want to sign in order to reach those goals, and clear definition of my role. Then they should let me do all this according to my style and I will take over the complete responsibility for the job and accept any consequences.
What qualities do you think you could bring to a new club?
You know, I was born and raised in Yugoslavia. People from that part of Europe are "unconquered kings" of improvisation. I also have these traits in my genes. On the other hand, I have been a German citizen for 25 years. In theses 25 years, I have achieved the highest education for football coaches in the world. I have learned and internalized German discipline, German structural working methods and German perfection. These personality features make a coach perfect for a country with football ambitions like Thailand.
What has your time at Chonburi taught you about what to expect in Thai football and how will this help should you find a new club?
As I said, the time I spent at Chonburi FC was a very valuable experience for me. Firstly, I got to know the league from the “inside". Then I clearly saw in which areas the teams have weaknesses and where you have to work to strengthen. In other words, if I start to work now at one club, I will not waste any time settling in.
Many coaches have already lost their jobs or resigned this season: Why do you think this is? Do you think it is healthy for Thai football?
It is difficult to judge the situation in general terms. In this job, there are dismissals that make sense and sometimes there are dismissals which even those responsible don’t know why they’re doing it! They feel they just have to send a clear signal to the players or to the public. Whether or not that will have some positive impact in reality or not, nobody cares two days later. This is unfortunately the brutal reality in this job.
Of course, that's not good for football at all, no matter in which country. But, as I said, I cannot make a constructive assessment because I have not directly followed the different situations at various clubs.
Is there anything that can be done to change this mentality?
You see, my experience just does not allow me to tell people what and how to do it in their own country. I believe this question can best be answered by someone like Mr. Newin Chidchob for example. He is a very successful person politically and in business. He is the boss of Buriram Utd and his club has been successful nationally and internationally for the past few years. If you’re after the solutions of such problems, you should ask advice from such gentlemen who have proven in practice that they know what to do..
Finally, would you like to send a message to the Chonburi fans?
You will always be the real 12th player of the team. Stay that way. The team needs you. Fight for Chonburi FC.
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