Chonburi 1-3 BEC Tero - Highlights: 2007

 TPL

Chonburi 1-3 BEC Tero

Chonburi Municipal Stadium

31st March, 2007

Chonburi FC Coffee Mug: 2007

Champions! Interview With Franz Schwarzwalder: 2007

My exclusive interview with Franz Schwarzwalder

Franz was Chonburi's goalkeeping coach for many years. Here he shares his memories of the night we won the league.

 

 

Q - What was the feeling like inside the camp going into the match?

We felt under no pressure. We knew we had a good team and could win the game.

 

Q - How had the team spent the week preparing?

We had been training every day and just before the game we had tactics training and a meeting.

 

Q - Were there any doubts going into the match?

Sometimes, I thought we played too offensively and didn’t concentrate enough on the defence. This was a worry for me.

 

Q - What research had you done into the opposition?

We just spoke about their strengths and weaknesses at the meeting before the match.

 

Q - What were your instructions to Kosin (Sinthaweechai)?

I used my experience and analysis to tell him exactly what his strengths and weaknesses were and to work on both.

 

Q - How was he feeling before the game?

He was a little bit nervous, but felt confident and motivated.

 

Q – How was Jadet before the match?

Like a young fox!

 

Q - How did it feel walking out in front of 10,000 Chonburi fans?

It was not a new experience for me to walk out in front of such a big crowd, but it was a good feeling for everyone in the team. It was great to have so many fans behind the team.

 

Q - What was the feeling like at the final whistle?

It was really good. I carried it all the way home with me to SriRacha.

 

Q - How did you celebrate after the match?

We all ran on the field. Then we celebrated again in the dressing room.

 

Q - What did the chairman say to everyone after the game?

I remember that Mr Witthaya Kunpleum was very proud and he spoke well to us all.

 

Q - Is there any particular moment from the night that stands out for you?

Going for a drink of Paulaner with Jadet, you, your wife and your friend Andrew in SriRacha.

 

Q - How does winning the league with Chonburi compare to your other achievements?

Winning the title with Chonburi and my work with Sinthaweechai, and Bui, are the highlights of my time in Thailand.

Champions! Interview With Kevin Aamlid: 2007

My exclusive interview with Kevin Aamlid

Kevin was a fourteen year old schoolboy when Chonburi won the league. Here's his account of the historic night.

Q - Who did you go to the match with?

A: I went to the match with my mum, dad, my brother and one of my dad’s friends.

 

Q - What was the mood like in the car on your drive up to the ground?

A: I was more anxious than everybody else if I am honest. I was really hoping that Chonburi, the province that I grew up in, finally had something to be proud of. As for the rest of my family, this was their first Chonburi match, I was really hoping they would enjoy it so we could come back more often. Prior to this, in order for me to watch the Chonburi matches I had to stay over at Harry Webb’s, a friend of mine, who went to the matches regularly. So I was really hoping that my parents enjoyed the game so much so that we could also come to the match regularly. Another reason I was nervous was because the previous home games that I went to before ended goalless, so I was hoping for a much better performance this time in such an important game.

 

Q - Where did you sit inside the stadium?

A: Sit?! Ha, ha! The stadium was so full and we arrived pretty late, so we stood by the corner flag behind the barricades. Then as the match kept going on, me and my brother, Matthew, decided to hop the rails and sit right next to the substitute benches. We had no worries as to what the security guard would say at all so we just climbed over and sat on the concrete pavement near the substitute bench. The view was definitely much better from there. If anyone wanted to do that today, the security guard would definitely evacuate them from the premises and the club would probably get a fine on top of that. But back then, the security at the grounds was much more flexible.

 

Q - How did it feel to be inside a packed ground for the first time in our history?

A: It was awesome! I personally believe that because of this particular game against Krung Thai Bank, the money started pouring into Thai football. I remember that you had told me at the previous home game to come early for this match, that it would be packed and they would add more seats in the stadium. I didn't believe it till I saw it. It was probably an atmosphere that Chonburi Football Club has still not seen again. 

 

Q - What were your expectations before the game?

A: My knowledge on Thai football was little to none at that time. I couldn't even name players on other teams, except for Ney Fabiano, who played for Thai Tobacco Monopoly. So the only thing I wanted in this game was a win and nothing less.

 

Q - How do you think the team played on the night?

A: Not very well, since we gave away a 2 - 0 lea,d but glad we ended up winning the match, 3-2!

 

Q - Which particular players stood out for you?

A: Pipob obviously, for scoring the winner! What a great moment that was. The “Thai Nakamura”, Arthit also contributed heavily to the game, with some fine crosses and passes. Kone Mohammed in particular worked really hard in that match (too bad that years later he went on to sign for Muang Thong!).

 

Q - Was there any point when you thought we were going to throw it away?

A: Yes. When Krung Thai bank scored their second goal. The Chonburi players looked lost from there, whilst the Krung Thai Bank players looked very motivated.

 

Q - At what point did you know we'd done enough and would be crowned champions?

A: The moment Pipob scored the team’s third goal All we needed from that game was a draw to be crowned champions and I knew for sure that there was no way Krung Thai Bank would steal the game from us after that important third goal.

 

Q - What did you do at the final whistle?

A: Rushed onto the pitch like everybody else and started celebrating with the fans and some of the players. As I had said earlier, this was my dad’s first game and he loved it, every goal we scored there were fireworks and flares. I was so glad he enjoyed that game. At the end of the match, the fans made a circle, holding around each other necks and started singing and jumping. They got my dad to join in that circle of joy as well! I found that particular funny, but from that moment my brother and I knew that we would be coming back to the games for sure.

 

Q - How did you celebrate that night?

A: Not so much celebrating, I had school the next day! My dad kept going on and on about how much he enjoyed it and the same for my brother. I was happy with the fact that I had recruited Chonburi FC supporters within the family!

 

Q - What sort of reaction did you get from your friends at school?

A: As I have mentioned, Thai football wasn’t very big at the time, only Harry Webb and I could talk about the matches. If we mentioned it, the others would laugh us off and tell us just to watch the English Premier League or something. To be honest I was the same in the beginning... Until i went to my first game. I fell in love with it. It’s one of those things, you had to go see it for yourself to understand the joy and passion that comes with it. I have taken many friends to watch the matches over the years and they have enjoyed it very much. Which proves my point.

 

Q - What did it mean to you as a Chonburi fan to be the first provincial club to win the TPL?

A: It was great! My mum had represented Chonburi in the Thailand provincial games in bowling before so it obviously meant something to her as well, Chonburi province making a name for itself in sports. From the moment Chonburi FC won the league, the futsal team managed to become a powerhouse in the sport as well, managing to become two time Asian Champions League winners. This moment wasn't just historic for football, but it was a historic moment for the whole province of Chonburi.

 

Q - How important do you think Chonburi's title win was for Thai domestic football as a whole?

A: Really important for the rise of Thai football. Before this win most of the teams were "company" teams based in Bangkok and most of the time they had very few fans coming to support. Seeing Chonburi get a packed stadium, managed to light a fire in Thai football, hence provincial teams started to pop out of nowhere and the supporters of those regions came along with it. The club owners and the sponsors obviously saw a financial opportunity right away. Of course this did not work out for everyone. 

Interview With The Blogger: 2007

In September, 2007 I was interviewed by a Thai football fan who lives in Australia. In addition to asking me about Chonburi's progress , he quizzed me on the national team and state of the local game. Here's what I said:

What do you feel about performance of Thai national team in the Asian Cup 2007?

I thought that they did very well. They drew against the eventual champions, Iraq, and were the better side for large parts of the match against Australia. Unfortunately, the same old problems of not being decisive enough in front of goal was Thailand's undoing. If we'd have had Mark Viduka, we would have won the match against the Aussies. On the whole, though, I think that the team can be very proud of its performances.

Do you think a successful domestic football league can lead to a successful national team?

Yes. The lack of organisation in the domestic game certainly affects the national team. I like Charnwit very much, but I think that he needs to get out and see more matches and therefore more players. If the league was more competitive standards would be raised and the national team would benefit. At the moment the Thai team seems like a 'closed shop' where players are picked on reputation and not performance. It will be a long process but FAT need to start doing something now. I remember when Peter Withe was the Thai coach. This was one of the first things that he recognised.

Could you tell me about strength and weakness of Thai football players?

Strengths: Very skillful and comfortable on the ball. Usually Thai players are very fit and also very strong. I like to see Thai teams passing the ball around and the players demonstrating their skills. It always impresses me.

 

Weaknesses: Suspect temperament. I've noticed that a lot of Thai players give up or lose their cool when things aren't going their way. They also lack a killer instinct. They aren't decisive enough, especially in striking situations. I hate to use the word but they can be a little naive at times. And, maybe lack the background in footballing culture that we are raised with in Europe. This seems to be true in most levels of Thai football.

 

As an example. When I play with my colleagues against Thai teams we usually fair quite well; winning more than we lose. Even if we are beaten we are never thrashed. When you consider that my team includes two men in their 60's and a couple more in our 40's this is quite an acheivement. The main reason that we are generally successful is that we allow them to play football in areas that we know won't hurt us but we can close them down in the attacking third. A lot of this comes from our knowledge and experience. There is absolutely no doubt that the Thai teams are far more skillful and a lot quicker than us but they don't seem to have the wherewithall to compete. They need to be more ruthless!

 

I've just realised that the weaknesses seem to outnumber the positives. I hope that doesn't give the wrong impression. I love Thai football!!

Do you think the Thailand national team can progress to the World Cup 2010 qualifying round?

I would love to see it happen. I remember the last time when we got past the first qualifying round. It was a great experience and I would like a repeat. However, as much as I hate to say it, I think that we'll struggle. I hope that I'm wrong!

What do you think standard of Thai referees? Are they good enough?

I don't like criticising referees. They have a very difficult job. I have refereed matches myself and it is not easy. However, I will say that there is room for improvement and somebody should explain the offside laws to the Thai linesmen!!

Do you think it is appropriate for the Thailand head coach to be a non Thai national?

Absolutely! I think that the best person for the job should get it, regardless of where they come from. However,I know that FAT's budget isn't very big and I don't want them blowing it all by paying some foreign coach's salary!!! Likewise, I think a deal like the one they had with the English FA over Peter Withe is probably not a good idea. Look what happened there! For the time being, I think we should stick with Charnvit. He has recently spent some time in England and will hopefully have learnt a few things.

What do you like and do not like about Thai football?

Like: I love the skills of the players. I love the atmosphere at the grounds. I love the genuinely friendly rivalry between supporters. I love the fact that at most grounds it's free admission. I love the fact that I can enjoy a beer whilst watching the match. I think it's great that there is a bond between the players and the fans; certainly this is true at Chonburi. All in all, watching football in Thailand is a fun experience. I love it!!

 

Dislike: Can I say the lack of organisation and leadership shown by the authorities? This is so frustrating for everyone concerned. I really wish that they'd sort themselves out.

 

On the pitch, I don't like the tactics that certain clubs employ to waste time!! In two matches this season, I have seen teams have at least 8 (EIGHT!!!) players stretchered off for 'so called' injuries only to have them come running straight back on. I have been playing football for nearly 40 years (admittedly not at a particularly high level) but I have played in only one match when someone was stretchered off. And he had a broken leg! It's one thing that I really can't stand and I wish that the referees and the authorities, would do something about it. Very annoying!

As you know, it is not easy to find football fans in Thailand who are interested in the Thailand Premier League. Why do you think most Thai football fans are interested in local football? How do we solve this problem?

I think mainly three reasons.

 

1. It's a cultural thing. Growing up in England you are taken to football matches at a very young age and a bond with your club (usually the one nearest to where you are born) is formed. This then stays with you for the rest of your life. It is something that you never lose.

 

Because most of the clubs in Thailand are company teams or forces teams it is not possible for anyone to really bond with them. Also a lot of teams come and go and even the ones with a bit of history tend to move around. In most other countries, clubs are linked with their local communities and have often played at the same ground for over a hundred years. My club, Oldham Athletic, have played at Boundary Park for 100 years. It's still the same ground that my great grandparents went to to watch football.

 

2. There is so much football on TV from other countries. People are more interested in what is happening at Old Trafford or Anfield than what is happening just down the road. Manchester United and Liverpool are far more glamorous than Provincial Electrical Authority or Tobacco Monopoly.

 

3. Lack of advertising and promotion. The authorities and the clubs should be doing a lot more to attract local people. Ridiculous kick off times don't help. Chonburi's next scheduled away match, against Suphanburi, is due to start at 4:00pm.....On a Wednesday!!! I for one will be at work, as I suspect so will many others. Why not have an evening kick off? 7:30 or 7:45? It really doesn't help one little bit.

 

As for solutions, I can only talk for my own club but I think we have got it right. 6:00pm kick offs on Saturdays and Wednesdays (although I think Wednesdays should be later!), lots of advertising around the city, banners in the streets and a couple of cars going round on matchdays advertising the match. And we get children from local schools involved. These are all things that other clubs and FAT should be doing around the country.

For this question, you can say whatever you feel about Thai football in the past, present and future.

The first match I ever went to in Thailand was in March 1997. It was at the National Stadium and we lost 3-1 against South Korea. At the time I thought that Thailand were the better team and were unlucky to lose. Just look at what Korea have acheived over the last 11 years. So, it's not impossible as long as we get the simple things right.

 

Therefore, I'd like to see:

Progress in all areas. A stronger, better supported, better organised league, with relegation, promotion and play offs, which is more representative of the country as a whole, with clubs named after towns and cities.

 

A stronger national team who are able to compete with the likes of Japan, South Korea etc.

 

More coverage of Thai football on Thai TV.

 

A Thai FA Cup competition (Why isn't there one?!!!) with the final at Rajamangala Stadium.

 

And, of course, Chonburi FC to win the league and Phaisan to captain Thailand to the next Asian Cup final!!

 

Could you please say something to convince Thai football fans to start attending football stadium and support their local football club.

Get along to watch your local team. If you admire the passion and skills of the English Premier League you have a chance to recreate that atmosphere and that experience very close to where you live. You will meet some great people and have a wonderful afternoon's entertainment.

 

Come on Thai football fans. Find a club that is the closest to you, wherever you live, tell a few friends and go along and be a part of it.

 

Thailand, Su, Su...

Football Siam Best Of 2007 Awards Winners Issue: 2008

 

AFF Championship Final Thailand v Singapore - Ticket: 2007

 AFF Championship

Final - 2nd Leg

Thailand 1-1 Singapore

(Singapore won 3-2 on aggregate)

Supachalasai Stadium

Attendance: 40,000

4th February, 2007

Osotspa 0-3 Chonburi - Highlights: 2007

 TPL

Osotspa 0-3 Chonburi

Klongjan Sports Stadium

Saturday 2nd June, 2007

Kone Mohamed scores one of Chonburi's three goals against Osotspa

NEW!! Chonburi At The BTV Cup: 2007, 2010 & 2012

BTV Cup

The BTV Cup, or Bình Dương Television Cup, is an international friendly cup held annually at Gò Đậu Stadium, home stadium of Vietnamese football club Becamex Bình Dương. Chonburi have participated three times in the tournament. Here is a detailed look at our involvement.

2007

Results

Group A

Binh Duong

Da Nang 

Matsubara (Brazil)

CHONBURI (Thailand)

15/11/07 

CHONBURI 3:4 Binh Duoung

(Scorers: Watcharapong Mak-klang (2), Nikorn Anuwan)

Da Nang 2:3 Matsubara

17/11/07 

CHONBURI 1:6 Matsubara

(Scorer: Nikorn Anuwan) 

Binh Duong 1:2 Da Nang 

19/11/07 

Da Nang 1:0 CHONBURI

Matsubara 2:0 Binh Duong

Group B

Dalian Shide (China)

Daejeon (South Korea)

Hoang Anh Gia Lai

Long An

16/11/07

Long An 4:2 Dalian

HAGL 1:3 Daejeon

18/11/07

Dalian 0:2 Daejeon

Long An 3:0 HAGL

20/11/07

Dalian 1:1 HAGL 

Daejeon 0:0 Long An

22/11/07

Semi Finals

Long An 1:0 Da Nang 

Matsubara 0:0 Daejeon (4-3 on penalties) 

24/11/07

Third place play off

Daejeon 3:1 Da Nang

Final

Matsubara 1:1 Long An (4-3 on penalties)

2010

News

BTV Cup Invitation

4/10/10

Chonburi have been invited to participate in the 2010 BTV Cup in Vietnam. The annual eight team pre season tournament is usually held at the Go Dau Stadium, home of Binh Duong FC. This year's event will take place between the 12th and 21st of November. Chonburi last featured in the competition in 2007.

BTV Cup Schedule

2/11/10

Chonburi's schedule for the BTV Cup competition in Vietnam has been announced. The tournament, which is a warm up for the V-League season, will be held later this month and is now part of The Sharks' preparation for the FA Cup final against Muang Thong on November 28th.

BTV Cup Schedule

19/11/10 CHONBURI v Hai Phong FC (Vietnam)

21/11/10 CHONBURI v Express FC (Uganda)

23/11/10 CHONBURI v Binh Duong FC (Vietnam)

Squad To Fly Out On Wednesday

15/11/10

A Chonburi FC squad will fly out to Vietnam early on Wednesday morning to compete in the BTV Cup. It is not yet clear exactly who will be travelling to play in the local pre-season invitational tournament, the final of which is due to be played on the same day as the FA Cup final, but the club will be represented. 

Team manager Annop Singtothong said, "Our priority is obviously the match against Muang Thong but we will honour our commitment to play in Vietnam."

Chonburi's first group game is on Friday 19th against Vicem Hai Phong. 

Interviews

Interview With Erick Bui

17/11/10

As preparation for the 2010 FA Cup final, the Chonburi squad flew out to Vietnam to take part in the annual BTV Cup. By way of a preview for the tournament, which started on Friday 19th November, I interviewed Erick Bui, the webmaster of the Viet Football blogspot. 

Results

Group A

Vicem Hai Phong

CHONBURI (Thailand)

Binh Duong

Express FC (Uganda)

19/11/10

CHONBURI 1:1 Vicem Hai Phong 

(Scorer: Ney Fabiano)

Binh Duong 4:3 Express FC

21/11/10

CHONBURI 0:0 Express FC

Binh Duong 1:1 Hai Phong

23/11/10

Hai Phong 1:0 Express FC

CHONBURI 1:3 Binh Duong 

(Scorer: Sarawut Janthaphan)

Group B

Khanh Hoa

Etoiles FC (Singapore)

Dong Tam Long An

Matsubara (Japan)

20/11/10

Khanh Hoa 2:1 Etoiles FC

Dong Tam Long An 1:0 Matsubara

22/11/10

Dong Tam Long An 4:2 Khanh Hoa

Matsubara 4:0 Etoiles FC

 

24/11/10

Dong Tam Long An 0:2 Etoiles FC

Matsubara 0:0 Khanh Hoa

 

26/11/10

Semi finals

Binh Duong 0:0 Matsubara (3-4 on penalties)

Dong Tam Long An 3:1 Hai Phong

 

28/11/10

Third place play off

Binh Duong 2:1 Hai Phong

Final

Dong Tam Long An 1:0 Matsubara (after extra-time)

2012

News

BTV CUP NEWS

3/11/12

Chonburi have been drawn in Group A for this year's BTV Cup. The Sharks will be joined by hosts Becamex Binh Duong, Vietnam U23s and Express FC from Uganda.

The tournament will be played in Binh Duong, Vietnam, between the 16th and the 25th of this month.

Group B is made up of SHB Danang (Vie), Saigon Xuan Thanh (Vie), Fukuoaka (Jap) and Brazilian side Gremio. 

BTV CUP SQUAD

14/11/12

Chonburi have announced their twenty man squad for the BTV Cup, which is due to start in Vietnam on Friday.

The Squad

Goalkeepers

1. Suchin Naknayom 

28. Hasachai Saengla

Defenders

3. Nattapong Samana

4. Kiatprawut Saiweaw

15. Fode Diakite

26. Anderson dos Santos

27. Dechawat Sinpru

35. Puttinan Warnsri 

38. Anusorn Sucharit

Midfielders

5. Panuwat Jintha

8. Therdsak Chaiman

22. Kazuto Kushida

24. Kriakrit Thaweekarn

35. Noppanon Cachpalayuk

36. Ekalak Tongmark

Forwards

9. Romulo Antoneli

13. Anuwat Nakkasem

14. Krikit In-utane

31. Nurul Sriyarngem

33. Akarawin Sawasdee

The squad will fly out early on Thursday morning and the team's first fixture will be against hosts Binh Duong at 6:00pm the following day.

SQUAD ARRIVES IN VIETNAM

15/11/12

The Chonburi squad has arrived safely in Vietnam. The club is competing in this year's BTV Cup in Binh Duong and will kick off their campaign against the hosts on Friday evening.

Taking charge of the team for the tournament will be the new coaching duo of Worrawoot Srimaka and Therdsak Chaiman. The former has been recruited from Suphanburi and the latter is still registered as a player.

Worrawoot, a former Thai international, made a few appearances for the Sharks in 2007, before going on to manage Pathum Thani, Songkhla and Suphanburi, after retiring. It will be interesting to see just how big a role he will have in team affairs next season and what part current head coach Witthaya Laohkul will play.

Watch this space... 

MATCH OFF

18/11/12

It appears that Express FC have withdrawn from the BTV Cup. The Ugandans were due to face Chonburi this evening, but latest reports from Vietnam suggest that they failed to turned up for the tournament.

This means that the Sharks now have only one remaining group game - against Vietnam U22 on Tuesday - which they will need to win in order to qualify for the knockout stages. 

Results

Group A

Binh Duong

CHONBURI (Thailand)

Vietnam U22

Express FC (Uganda) - Withdrew

16/11/12 

CHONBURI 2:4 Binh Duong

(Scorers: Romulo Antonelli, Nattapong Samana)

18/11/12 

Binh Duong 4:1 Vietnam U22

20/11/12 

CHONBURI 1:2 Vietnam U22

(Scorer: Kraikitti In-Utane)

Group B

SHB Danang

Fukuoaka (Japan)

Saigon Xuan Thanh

Gremio (Brazil)

17/11/12 

SHB Danang 0:1 Fukuoaka

Saigon Xuan Thanh 2:1 Gremio

19/11/12 

Gremio 2:0 Fukuoaka

SHB Danang 0:1 Saigon Xuan Thanh

21/11/12 

Saigon Xuan Thanh 2:2 Fukuoaka

Gremio 4:1 SHB Danang

23/11/12

Semi Finals

Vietnam U22 6:1 Saigon XT

Binh Duong 3:1 Gremio

25/11/12

Third Place Play Off

Saigon XT 0:4 Gremio

Final 

Binh Duong 2:0 Vietnam U22 

With thanks to @RabonaMike

"Sharky" The Official Chonburi FC Mascot - Photos: 2006-2014

 "Sharky" - the Chonburi mascot. Photographed between 2006 and 2014.

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Last Day: 2007

TPL

Chonburi 1-2 Thai Tobacco Monopoly

Venue : Chonburi Municipal Stadium

Tuesday 27th November, 2007

Match Report

After sealing the TPL trophy on a dramatic night at Chonburi Stadium, we still had one final match to play. The following Tuesday we entertained Tobacco Monopoly in an event for which the phrase "anti-climax" could have been invented. 

In their infinite wisdom FAT had decreed that all final round matches should kick off on the same date and at the same time, on its own, a sensible piece of scheduling. However, when the date is Tuesday 27th November and the time is 4:00pm you begin to question the sense of the decision. 

I'm sure that if we'd wanted too we could have applied to change the time but in the event we duly went through the motions in front of about 5 or 600 people who were more interested in watching Sek Loso and his band set up behind one of the goals, in preparation for that evenings concert. 

The match ended in a 2-1 defeat for the newly crowned champions therefore bringing an end to a 13 match unbeaten run. A rather low key end to an impressive campaign but it took me a couple of days to shake off the hangover I got as a result of the party.

Programme

Photos

More Photos

Highlights

Starting line up

18. Kosin Hathairattanakool

5. Phanuwat Jintha

6. Nataporn Phanrit

9. Watcharapong Mak-klang

12. Kone Mohamed

13. Phaisan Pona

14. Worawoot Srimaka

17. Kriangkrai Pimrat

22. Nikon Annuwarn

23. Teerasak Po-On

27. Surat Sukha

Substitutes

1. Suchin Naknayom

7. Arthit Sunthornphit

8. Sarawut Janthapan

10. Pipob On-Mo

15. Ratchasak Duangmal

19. Adul Lahso

20. Udorn Pimpak

25. Chonlatit Jantakam

28. Ampai Muthaporn

31. Jetsadakorn Hemdaeng

Goalscorer: Pipob On-Mo

Chonburi FC U19s Shorts: 2007

 

Police 0-2 Chonburi - Highlights: 2007

TPL

Police 0-2 Chonburi

Ratchaburi Province Stadium

Tuesday 13th November, 2007

NEW!! PEA Shooters - The Story Of Our Cross Town Away Day: 2007

TPL

PEA 0-4 Chonburi

IPE Stadium, Chonburi

27th October, 2007

Derby Day and we had plans. Rather than everyone making their own way to the IPE, in the north of the city, we decided to meet in the usual spot - behind Chonburi Municipal Stadium - where we always gathered to catch the buses for away matches. So, about two hours before kick off, a few hundred Sharks fans had congregated, ready to make the short trip across town. We ate and drank, and talked about how we were relishing the afternoon ahead. There was an air of expectation and excitement, as we looked to extend our eight match unbeaten run and close in on the league title.

When it was time to depart, the locals were treated to an amazing, colourful sight, as a police escort led the convoy of buses, cars, pick-ups and motorbikes, all bedecked in two shades of blue, on the 10 minute journey through the back streets and across Sukhumvit Rd. They even stopped the traffic for us! It was a joy to see the bemused looks on the faces of the motorists whose journies had been delayed to let this joyous - and by now increasingly raucous - procession pass. We had turned the whole day into an event that has gone down in eastern seaboard football folklore. The match had an awful lot to live up to.

 

Thankfully, the team didn't disappoint and we hammered our hapless neighbours 4-0, with a scintillating display of attacking football, that thrilled the huge travelling support and sent out a clear message to our rivals. The emphatic victory was also captured by the ESPN/Star Sports cameras and featured on their midweek football show, Top Corner, the following Thursday, accompanied by Dez Corkhill's excellent commentary. Thus showing the whole of Asia what Chonburi FC - and their pioneering fans - were capable of. All in all, it was an incredible afternoon and certainly one of the best away days I've ever experienced, and one I will never forget. 

PEA 0-4 Chonburi - Highlights: 2007

TPL

PEA 0-4 Chonburi

IPE Stadium, Chonburi

27th October, 2007

Thai Honda 2-4 Chonburi - Highlights: 2007

TPL

Thai Honda 2-4 Chonburi

72nd Anniversary Stadium, Minburi

20th October, 2007

BEC Tero 1-2 Chonburi - Highlights: 2007

TPL

BEC Tero 1-2 Chonburi

BEC Tero Stadium, Nong Jork

Wednesday 10th October, 2007

News Stories: 2007

Three news stories by Bangkok Post reporter, Tor Chittinand from 2007, the season we won the league.

Two leagues become one in Thailand 
by Tor Chittinand
6/1/07
The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has joined forces with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) to merge the two current leagues in time for the big kick-off on March 18.

SAT governor Kanokphan Julkasem and FAT president Vijitr Getkaew headed a meeting yesterday that agreed to combine the Thailand Premier League and the Thailand Professional League.

The Thailand League will kick off in March with 16 teams.

The SAT budget of 55 million baht, which was awarded by the government, will be split between the Thailand League (27.5m), First Division (11m), Second Division (5.5m) and the Provincial League or SAT Championship (11m).

The 16 teams will include 12 teams from last year's Thailand Premier League, TOT and Nakhon Pathom from the Pro League and Royal Thai Police and Royal Thai Navy from the First Division.

There will be 24 teams in the First Division, 12 in the Second Division and 12 in the Provincial League or SAT Championship.

That will be divided into five regions with the champions and the runner-up of each region to play in the final round before the top two teams will be promoted into the Second Division.

New season kicks off today
by Tor Chittinand
17/3/07
Royal Thai Army's clash BEC Tero Sasana at the Army stadium is the pick of the first day fixtures in the Thailand Premier League this afternoon. The match will kick off at 4pm and will be televised live on Channel 11.

Army coach Col Amnaj Chalermchaovalit said his team were raring to get the new campaign started.

''Our team is ready for the opening match and our high level of fitness means our players will not run out of stamina,'' he said.

Ong-art Kohsinkha, BEC Tero manager, countered: ''We have been training for a long time and our team is ready.

''We can play for 90 minutes.''

''However, some of our pre-Olympic players did not have time to train with the team but I don't think that this will be a big problem.''

Coulibaly Kafoumba and Kambou Herve, who were born in Ivory Coast, will line up for BEC Tero alongside Thai national squad players Tawan Sripan and Pipat Tonkanya.

BEC Tero players will get a 3,000 baht bonus if they win their opening match today.

FIXTURES
Tobacco Monopoly v Port (4pm); Nakhon Pathom v Royal Thai Navy (4pm); Honda FC v Police (4pm); Bangkok Bank v Krung Thai Bank (4pm); Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) v TOT (4pm); Chonburi v Suphanburi (6pm).

Chonburi claim country's top honours
by Tor Chittinand
22/11/07
Chonburi were crowned Thailand Premier League champions for the first time after beating Krung Thai Bank 3-2 yesterday. Before their supporters at the Municipal Stadium, Chonburi built a comanding 2-0 lead at half-time.

But 10-man Krung Thai, their closest rivals, fought back to level the score only for the home side to fire a late winner.

The bankers were reduced to nine men in injury time.

With one round to go, Chonburi have 63 points to Krung Thai's 54. It was a huge success for the eastern province who had been promoted to the country's top flight only two years ago.

Chonburi took the lead after 18 minutes through Arthit Sunthornpit. After Krung Thai's Kraikiat Beatakut was sent off for two yellow cards, Sarawut Chantaphan gave Chonburi a 2-0 lead at half-time.

Depsite having only 10 players, Krung Thai got two goals from Phichitpong Cheuichiew after 60 and 73 minutes. But with five minutes to go Pipop Onn-mo scored the winning goal for Chonburi.

In injury time, Krung Thai goalkeeper Kritsana Klanklin was dismissed after kicking Pipop from behind.

Meanwhile, BEC Tero Sasana held Bangkok University to a 0-0 draw to remain third.

The Army moved to fourth after edging the Police 1-0 thanks to goal from Watcharakorn Antakumpoo. The defeat condemned bottom side Police to the first division.

The Navy and Honda FC were also relegated with the other spot to be determined in the final round on November 27.

In yesterday's other matches, Suphanburi lost 2-1 to TOT FC; Tobacco Monopoly drew 2-2 with Nakhon Pathom; Honda lost 2-1 to Osotspa; and Bangkok Bank were held to a scoreless draw by the Navy.

Chonburi Fans At The TPL Trophy Presentation - Photos: 2007

Photos of the Chonburi fans, and some players, at the TPL trophy presentation on Tuesday 27th November, 2007.