Q - Please can you start by introducing yourself
A - My name is Ben, 27, from Philadelphia, USA. I'm an ESL teacher in Nonthaburi.
Q - What has been the main reason for your team's excellent form so far this season?
A - Muang Thong already possessed a lot of talent coming into this season. With acquisitions in the off season of players like Ri Kwang-Chon, Adnan Barakat, and Mario Gjurovski, and during the season like Paulo Rangel and Edivaldo Hermoza, I think there was a boost because they work well together under Coach Jokanović. Most of these players are now first team starters who regularly contribute to the success of the team with scoring, assists, and defense, and they seem to really enjoy playing with each other.
Q - Do you think having no AFC distractions this season has helped?
A - Certainly. If you look at last year, Muang Thong and Chonburi had AFC matches, and Buriram was able to win the league. The year before that in 2010, MTU was only able to win the league with a 7 point spread between themselves, Buriram, and Chonburi, while dealing with AFC matches. And before that in 2009, Buriram and Chonburi had AFC duties, and newly promoted Muang Thong won the league 3 points ahead of Chonburi. When you look at that pattern, it's no surprise that a team without extra AFC matches is currently winning in 2012. MTU's league title in 2010 seems to be the exception.
Q - Who do you consider to be your biggest rivals/challengers in the TPL and why?
A - Chonburi and Buriram equally seem to be the two biggest rivals. It would be hard to pick one over the other. Obvously as the TPL stands now, MTU fans will be more interested Chonburi's results than Buriram. But those are the two clubs that the fans give an extra shout for if they're losing when scores from other TPL matches are announced at SCG Stadium.
Q - Surely the title is already yours, isn't it? Or can you see yourselves getting caught?
A - Mathematically it isn't captured, and in this game there are so many things that could happen. This match away at Chonburi will be huge, and MTU have yet to play away at BEC Tero, Bangkok Glass, and Army United. A lot could happen between now and the end of the season. But that said, if Muang Thong can keep producing like they have so far this season, they can surely win it.
Q - How happy are you with your current coach and squad?
A - Very happy. When you look at the highlights you can tell they're really having fun with each other. You can tell they have an understanding that helps them play well together. On the pitch players know the tactics, know where others will be, what to do when certain situations arise. Good coaching goes into having players work together so well. It is certainly an upgrade from what we saw last season.
Q - What advice, if any, would you give to your coach?
A - Keep up the great work!
Q - What do you think about the way your club is run?
A - I think it's run well. My only worries are the flirting with "big name" aging European stars. When the FO was courting Del Piero, more than a few fans were worried. In my opinion that money should go toward finding/developing young Thai talent.
Q - Is there anything you'd like to see done differently at Muang Thong?
A - My answer would be pretty much be the same as the above question.
Q - Do you get frustrated when you see some of the sub-standard grounds and pitches in the TPL considering that your club has done everything within their power to ensure the highest possible standards?
A - Not really. I understand that some clubs simply might not have the budget and do the best that they can. Keeping a pristine patch of grass during Thailand's monsoon season is no small feat. If we're talking about improvement in quality, I'd go for referees before pitches.
Q - What is the secret of Muang Thong's continuing success, both on and off the field?
A - They work well as a team and seem to have a clear sense of what their tactics are on the pitch. MTU also has a fair amount of depth at their disposal. Off the field, they seem to really appreciate their fans. They like to walk around after the game, talk to fans and give autographs. Their continuing success in multiple competitions helps too. They're a team people enjoy to come watch and support.
Q - Realistically, what do you think Muang Thong can achieve in the next five years?
A - I think they'll continue to challenge for the TPL title. I can also see them also challenging for the Thai cups. AFC Champions League, who knows. The departure of Teerasil Dangda will need to be dealt with soon. Also MTU's goalkeeper Kawin Thammasatchanan has been key to Muang Thong's success. He does such a good job of cleaning up defensive errors and is a huge presence in the back. If he were to move on I don't know how the team would look. I trust the coaching staff are already coming up with answers to those issues.
Q - Of all the players currently playing in the TPL, which ones would you like to see join Muang Thong United?
A - I feel like I don't follow other teams well enough to have an informed opinion. Frank Acheamphong for Buriram seems to always be a strong, fast threat. Rodion Dyachenko set up some good plays for Pattaya. I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot of other deserving players, especially defenders.
Q - What are your opinions on Chonburi FC?
A - From what I've experienced, Chonburi fans are loud supporters, passionate for their team, and friendly. If I'm going to get a smile from a stranger while wearing my MTU jersey, (aside from MTU fans) it will most likely be from a Chonburi fan. I've never seen any negative things happen during Chonburi matches at Muang Thong Thani, or during any cup matches.
My opinion of the team has grown to be a negative one. Before I thought of Chonburi as I think of Buriram, a quality team that's always dangerous when MTU plays them. But last year the home leg match of the Toyota League Cup Quarterfinal changed my opinion. MTU lost 3-2 at Chonburi on the away leg and we were expecting an exciting, competitive game for the home leg.
But instead what we saw were Chonburi players falling down, stopping play, refusing to stand up while complaining to the ref, and then popping back up to do it again. It was clear after a bit that Chonburi were playing for the fouls, playing to waste time or get a free kick at a good spot, and they were going to keep at. Terrible decisions by the referee only made things worse. I ended up making a video which has reached over 80,000 views. Specifically I can point to around 1:45, where two attackers fall down and one refuses to get up, even at the insistence of the referee. Also 6:10 in the video, where the goalkeeper falls down after Siaka's miss. No one touches him, yet he stays down.
I'm not saying that Muang Thong were perfect during that match, or ever. And I'm not saying Chonburi play like this all the time. They played professionally during the match this season at SCG. But in the back of my mind I was thinking "Well they're fine now, but what happens if they take the lead? Are they going to start acting like they did in that Cup match last year?" That match has left a lasting negative impression of Chonburi on me as a Muang Thong fan, and I know I'm not the only MTU fan who feels that way.
Q - Which Chonburi players have impressed you and why?
A - Pibop On-Mo, off the top of my head. He's a national team player, really fast, gets the ball in dangerous spots, and has a nice shot.
Q - In your opinion, is there any player in the current Chonburi squad who would get into the Muang Thong first XI?
A - I feel I don't follow Chonburi close enough to answer this well. If players like Pibop are good enough for the national team, I think they'd be welcome at MTU.
Q - What are you expecting from Sunday's match?
A - I'm expecting a very tough match for Muang Thong, with a mass of Chonburi supporters cheering on their side and a large section of MTU away fans trying to out-shout them! With the chance to close the gap between 1st and 2nd down to 7 points, or extend it to 13, this is a high stakes match for both sides.
Q - What is the best thing about being a Muang Thong United supporter?
A - The stadium is easy to get to and the matches are very enjoyable. The Muangthong Ultras and N-Zone supporters sections really create a fun and energetic atmosphere.
Q - What is the worst thing about being a Muang Thong United supporter?
A - The terrible Guns N' Roses songs they sometimes play when the players walk out.
Q - Anything else you'd like to add?
Thanks to Dale for this opportunity! If you'd like to give me a piece of your mind about the Chonburi video, or rub some salt in the wound if Chonburi manages a victory on Sunday, feel free to visit at the MTU/Replay blog!
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