Chang Chonburi Invitation Cup 2016
Previews
Nakorn Ratchasima
by Russ John
NRFC continue their pre season build up by competing in the CHANG CHONBURI INVITATION tournament. The Swatcats have had a mixed batch of friendly results against lower league opposition, with the build up being described as satisfactory but not exceptional.
Having let go Dominic Adiyeah and Lee Tuck apparently in a contract dispute with the club, the club’s main attacking options appears to be Marco Tagbajumi and Promphong Kransumrong. With Prompong’s well publicized court case still ongoing, he would appear to be out of the reckoning at present.
Tagbajumi is a big, strong, bustling striker who has impressed and if he can link up with Bjorn Lindemann playing “in the hole” it could form a formidable partnership.
Other players to watch out for are the midfield powerhouse Noah Chivuta and our Japanese stopper Satoshi Nagano.
My prediction for the tournament is that The Swatcats will overcome Army and lose on penalties to the hosts in the final. Whatever the result, I am sure that Chonburi will host a most successful tournament.
Army Utd
by Dean Wilkins
Our preparations for the new season are set to step up a gear as we get ready to make our annual trip down the coast to the Chonburi Chang Invitational tournament. This should be a good chance to see where we find ourselves ahead of our opening day fixture against Bangkok United next week.
It has been a tough winter at the Home of Gentlemen which has seen our foreign contingent of Melvin de Leuuw, Ernesto, Wellington and Alex all leave to be replaced by unknown journeyman players from the lower leagues, several of which were relegated with Krabi FC last season.
Preseason so far has been tough as twice we have been hit for five by Bangkok United and more worryingly Thai Honda from D1. Has father time finally caught up with the creeking legs of captain Chaiwat and full back Dawut, both of which are entering the twilight of their careers?
On paper our starting XI should be good enough for us to avoid a relegation fight but a lot depends on us keeping brilliant Brazilian Botti fit for the season and hoping that Anuwat can maintain his form from last season. This is a big season for U23 Thailand star Ping Thossawat as well who disappointed at times last season and needs to make the step up this year as our other options in midfield are limited to say the least.
Probably my biggest worry for the new season is where are the goals going to come from? Our attacking options going into the new season seem to be focused on Kai Hirano, Thanakorn and overrated Thai national player Mongkol who only managed 15 league goals between them last season.
It was this lack of goals that saw us plummet down the table in the second half of last season as we struggled to only 3 wins, 10 defeats and 4 draws with us averaging only a goal a game. There has been little over the break to suggest that this form has been addressed.
We have worked our way through 6 managers during the last two seasons as well so it will be interesting to see if our clubs unwavering loyalty to the manager who oversaw the dreadful back end of last season continues or if the axe will be swinging early into the new season once again.
Chonburi FC
by Dale Farrington
The first thing I'll be looking for is how the 9-0 drubbing in Japan has affected the players' - and the coach's - confidence. There was a cautious feeling of optimism at the Yangon Utd match but that was all blown away in Tokyo. It will be interesting to see how we react.
Hopefully, those fans who still think everything is hunky dory will also have been given a wake up call by our AFC Champions League nighmare. They might just realise that we are not quite as good as they think we are.
That said, I still think the locals will turn up in numbers for Friday night's opener. We are a loyal bunch and everyone will be keen to show that we're right behind the team. I expect a healthy crowd and a decent atmosphere - for a pre season tournament. However, it could be very different on Sunday, if we're not in the final.
Even though these matches are really only glorified friendlies, I hope we'll be taking them seriously. One of the biggest mistakes in our AFC "campaign" was lack of preparation. For a club that usually plays friendlies more often than league games, our build up to the continent's premier competition was strangely muted. With the start of the TPL season only a week away (yikes!), we really need to get it right this weekend.
From what I've seen so far, the two new Koreans look impressive and it is good to have Suttinun back to full fitness. Otherwise, all the old problems seem to remain. No full backs and the lack of nastiness and genuine creativity.
Rodrigo was very unlucky not to get on the score sheet against Yangon Utd, but was equally lucky not to get an early red in Tokyo - just think how bad it could have been! He's no Thiago but I'm prepared to give him a chance. I get the feeling he's a confidence player so a couple of goals this weekend would do him a power of good.
As for the rest, they need to convince us that they're good enough. Pin up boy Kroerkrit in particular must show that he can live up to the hype. Tiredness due to international commitments can't be trotted out as an excuse this year so go on, son, prove you're really worth all that adoration.
All in all, I'm looking forward to the next couple of days. It will be good to catch up with a few people and watch some (hopefully entertaining) football whilst having a drink and something to eat. Let's ope that 'm feeling a lot more confident about the year ahead by 9:00pm on Sunday.
Chang Chonburi Invitation Cup 2016
Results
Friday 19th February
4:30pm Army Utd 1-3 Nakorn Ratchasima
7:00pm CHONBURI 0-2 Chainat
Venue: Chonburi Stadium
Sunday 21st February
4:30pm 3rd & 4th play off: CHONBURI 1-2 Army Utd
7:00pm Final: Nakorn Ratchasima 0-4 Chainat
Venue: Chonburi Stadium
Final Placings
Champions: Chainat
Runners up: Nakorn Ratchasima
3rd place: Army Utd
4th place: Chonburi
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