Muang Thong Utd 0-0 Chonburi - Match Reports: 2011

LEAGUE CUP QUARTER FINAL 2nd LEG
MUANG THONG UTD 0-0 CHONBURI (agg 2-3)
18th September, 2011
After a 3-2 home win in the 1st leg a month earlier, The Sharks travelled to the Thunderdome (aka The Yamaha) knowing that a draw would be good enough to see them through to the semi finals. After the match, regular contributor to the old site, Tim Banks, posted comments on the now defunct Muang Thong Utd Blogspot. You can read what he had to say below, along with Ben's report from the Muang Thong Utd F.C. Replay site:

WONDERFUL DISPLAY OF SPORTSMANSHIP BY MTU FANS
by Tim Banks
From a dedicated Chonburi fan who attended tonight's Thai League Cup 1/4 final second leg at the Yamaha. Forget the result and just congratulate the MTU fans on their tremendous sportsmanship.

Pipop was knocked out cold in the first half and as he very slowly regained his senses after a long and worrying delay (which ended with a trip to hospital) all he could hear was his name being chanted. By the Sharks faithful? you ask. No by those MTU fans massed immediately behind the Impact Arena end goal, close to his penalty area collison. The responsive applause for that act of consideration rang out from the Chonburi faithful on the side terraces at the other end of the stadium.

Throughout the match and especially at the end, the rival fans were always quick to chant the opposition team's name and those of individual players. It was a privilege to be at the Yamaha tonight, where the two sets of fans certainly displayed all that is best in Thai soccer.

The overall experience was quite something to witness both in and around the stadium. Well done, MTU and especially so, as the final result just went against your team in the end but in no way did that deter or diminish the ovation that was given to the visiting Chonburi team. Your sportsmanship will be remembered by me for a long time.

MUANG THONG UTD 0-0 CHONBURI (agg 2-3)
by Ben
Muangthong United were knocked out of the 2011 Thai League Cup on Sunday night, due in a large part to a handful of missed chances and a few excruciatingly close saves from the Chonburi F.C. keeper. Kawin kept a clean sheet with some masterful stops of his own.

But don’t misunderstand me; this game was completely about Chonburi’s disgusting and embarrassing display of time wasting aided by some terrible calls by the referees.

I would be confident that no straight 10 minutes of football were able to be played in this game without play needing to be stopped for a collapsed Chonburi player. Exploiting contact, embellishing fouls, complaining to the referee while refusing to stand up, and abject diving were employed by the Sharks ad absurdum in order to break up Muangthong’s momentum.

It must be said, however, that goals were certainly there for MTU’s taking. Poor finishing plagued the Qilins, and sloppy passing turned over numerous balls. But in this case they don’t only have themselves to blame for the result.

The bitter taste of defeat is coupled with the reassuring fact that the Red & Black gave their all for 100+ minutes in the face of baffling calls and dastardly tactics and came up just short.
On the other hand, after this match I would be ashamed to call myself a Chonburi fan.

I guess now I’m in the awkward position of being a Muangthong fan having to cheer on Buriram PEA in the semi-finals. I can live with that, especially after tonight.

Chonburi Teen Hunts Place At Leicester by Kitinan Sanguansak: 2013

Kitinan Sanguanak's September, 2013 article from The Nation about Chonburi starlet, Worachit Kanitsribumphen.

CHONBURI TEEN HUNTS PLACE AT LEICESTER
by Kitinan Sanguansak
Young Chonburi FC player Worachit Kanitsribumphen says he is adjusting to life in England as he chases a contract at second-tier Leicester City, aka the Foxes.

The Thai teenager, nicknamed "Gym", has already started his two-week trial with the Thai-owned English club and Chonburi will give him full support to help him realise his dream of making the grade in England, says Thanasak Suraprasert, Chonburi's overseas manager. 

"Gym is now training with Leicester's youth team, whose players are aged 16-18. He has the same daily grind as other Leicester players. He has a training session from 10am to midday each day.

"Initially, Gym will train with Leicester for two weeks and then their staff will make an assessment to check his development before he returns home. Should they decide to let him continue the training in Leicester, he will return to England. The English club will cover all his expenses in England," said Thanasak. 

Gym revealed that he is adjusting to the new surroundings after a tough start to life in England, especially with the cold, wet weather. 

"I'm starting to adjust to life here. I'm getting more accustomed to the food, weather and the language. I share a big bedroom with four new friends, who are all English. I feel no pressure from the daily training. I try to show the coaches here what I have been coached in [back home]. In the next two days, I'll have a match.

"I've heard that many fans are following my progress and are hoping I do well. I'm so grateful for that kind of support. I will give it my all in order not to let anyone down. I hope I can bring fame to the country and Chonburi FC," said Gym. 

Chantaburi Provincial Stadium: 2016

Photos of Chantaburi Provincial Stadium from December, 2016.

Kevin Keegan's Good Luck Message To Lancing College: 2000

Kevin Keegan's good luck message to Lancing College senior football team for their trip to Thailand in October, 2000.

Fans Season Preview: 2016

2016 Season Preview
3rd March, 2016
Paul Murphy (Army Utd), Natt Miles (Bangkok Utd) and James Pinder (Buriram Utd) preview the 2016 season.

PAUL MURPHY - ARMY UTD (PLT)
Which teams do you think will finish in the top 4 and bottom 3?
1. Buriram Utd
2. Muang Thong
3. Bangkok United
4. Bangkok Glass

Buriram may not be as dominant as they were last season, with Diogo injured for a while and no clear replacement for Macena, but they should still have enough to take the title.

Muang Thong wil benefit from having so many national side players in the same side as they know each other's games well. BKK Utd have added Mario Gjurovski so I expect them to make progress on last season. Bangkok Glass look to have signed an exciting player in Ariel Rodriguez and young attackers Bordin Phala and Thanasith Sriphala should continue to develop.

I think Pattaya United, BBCU and Navy FC will go down.

Which ground are you most looking forward to visiting?
Bangkok Glass - It always looks like a good arena on TV and, strangely, I have made it to Chiang Rai, Buriram and Suphanburi, but I have yet to pay this place just outside Bangkok a visit. I will put that right this season

What are you most looking forward to?
I think it's going to be very interesting to see how Muang Thong United fare with the spine of the national team all playing together. It will tell us a lot about the quality of the national team in a different context from the Suzuki Cup and Word Cup qualifiers.

What are the expectations for your team?
I expect Army United to regress further this season, as they have been doing for the last two years. Constant coaching changes have led to a strange stagnation in the squad and there is no reliable striker. I would be surprised if they finished in the top 10 and a relegation battle is possible.

Who will be the heroes and villains in 2016?
The heroes will be the fans who continue to support the game, despite the ruling body's best efforts to damage it. The villains will, as always, be incompetent referees and administrators.

NATT MILES - BANGKOK UTD (PLT)
Which teams do you think will finish in the top 4 and bottom 3?
Buriram to finish first again I think, followed by Muang Thong. I'm having a hard time deciding between MTU and Bangkok United but I think Muang Thong have made good use of buying and stripping BEC-Tero, however Super Mario is a great coup for BKK United and I think Mano can push the team on further this year. In fourth I think It'll be Suphanburi.

Struggling to decide a bottom three but I think the three promoted teams, BEC-Tero and Navy will be seeing the bottom the most.

Which ground are you most looking forward to visiting?
Unfortunately it won't be possible for me this year, as I'm returning to Thailand at the end of year...

What, in general, are you most looking forward to?
I'll just be thankful when the league finally starts and the ball is kicked, I can't believe we have had to put up with so much BS this off-season. Never want to see players injured but with Diogo out for a little while, maybe other teams will be in for a shout of the title for longer? Aside from Thai domestic football. I'm looking forward to the national team and have every bit of me crossed for the game away at Iraq.

What are the expectations for your team?
I think hoping for top three is realistic and qualifying for the ACL 2017 play offs depending what happens in the cup. However based on recent results it may not be worth it. Would like to see Bangkok United go a little better in either cups as well. As mentioned, Mario Gjurovski was a great signing for us and hope he can add a little bit more when we are struggling for goals.

Who will be the heroes and villains in 2016?
Heroes, I'm hoping one or more of the newly promoted teams can survive the drop, last years relegation scrap almost made up for a lack of competition at the top of the league.

Villains will be the refs obviously!

Is there anything else you'd like to add?
The league needs a pathway to the AFC Cup, Thai teams deserve to be able to complete in Asia, seems they are in the middle of the two bar Buriram United, Yangon and JDT were able to play AFC Cup so I think it's time to change and be sensible and realistic but we are talking about Thailand...

JAMES PINDER - BURIRAM UTD (PLT)
Which teams do you think will finish in the top 4 and bottom 3?
Most people agree Buriram will retain the title with Suphanburi, Bangkok United and Muang Thong following close behind. At the bottom, I think BBCU, Pattaya and BEC (assuming there's no change to the rules) will drop down. Sukhotai are tipped by many but they've but a lot of new players and will last at least one season.

Which ground are you most looking forward to visiting?
Personally, I'm looking forward to our first trip to Sukothai and the Chaing Rai game is always loud and fun. Of course, Korat is the most lively and and an amazing atmosphere.

What are the expectations for your team?
Expectations of another 'invincible' season are not realistic. To retain the title will be our main objective.

Who will be the heroes and villains in 2016?
For Buriram, the hero will be anyone who can score goals while Diogo is sidelined. The villain will appear in week 1. Assuming Super Mario if fit then he'll reacquaint himself Buriram in the very first game. We should see how good Bangkok United are on the first weekend. For Buriram United fans, we are considered villains to everyone now so every game is a little more spicy. Can't wait for this weekend.

Away Programmes: 2010

Away Programmes: 2009

Confessions Of A TV Football Pundit by Steve Darby: 2016

Confessions of a TV Football Pundit
by Steve Darby
30th November, 2016

I have been doing a lot of TV work recently (Indian Super League, AFF Suzuki Cup & the AFC Champions League final), called for some reason “Punditry”. A definition is apparently: A pundit is a person who offers to mass media his opinion or commentary on a particular subject area on which he is knowledgeable (or can at least appear to be knowledgeable), or considered a scholar in said area.

I think the brackets are the key factor here!

I have been asked is it easier than coaching? Well to date I haven’t been attacked, spat on, had bottles of urine thrown at me or had a death threat! So perhaps it’s safer than coaching in SE Asia. But easier? When one night I could not remember Steven Gerrard’s name in front of an estimated 200 million audience I wouldn’t have said easier, I wished the earth had opened up, or when I went totally blank about the question asked me of me and I had to rely on the greatest advice I have been given.

“That’s an excellent question. . .BUT I think of more relevance is….” And bluffed my way out of it.

I think the first thing to do is differentiate the pro’s (the presenters) from the amateurs (the pundits) it’s like comparing international players to the Oldham Sunday League. I have been lucky working with top class presenters/hosts such as John Dykes, Steve Dawson, Jason Dasey, Adam Carruthers, and Roshan Narayan. Many a time I have been rescued by them when I have started to mumble.

You must remember they are asking and answering questions with a number of voices in their ears and having countdowns of 5 seconds to shut a pundit with verbal diarrhea up! Without the pros believe me the shows would be a shambles.. They are the unseen heroes behind the shows, they create the show and drive it.

I once had the situation where in a particular segment I was to be asked the first and third question and my fellow pundit to my right the second and fourth. I nearly died when the host as smooth as silk asked me the first and second questions! Then with some adroit camera work had let me know my fellow pundit had fallen asleep! A cameraman had to crawl on the floor to wake him up!

But working on Champions league in SE Asia this can happen with 2 am kick offs. I once had a fellow pundit speak in the pre-show, fall asleep for 45 minutes and then was brilliant in the half time show! Just like the dressing room law of conduct, no names will ever pass my lips.

I’ve also had a host go to the toilet on me and not come back! I had to bluff my way through 5 long minutes as a host…and in Bahasa!

What makes a good pundit? Credibility is important, it does help if you have played or coached at the level you are talking about. It’s a bit hard to disagree with someone who has a 100 international caps even though they may be wrong as the audience will fall in line with them.

Doing your research is vital; know your game and players inside out. I have worked with top playing stars that have no knowledge of the games they are talking with, whilst others such as John Beresford and Paul Walsh both great players were meticulous in their preparation.

It does show when a pundit has done his homework. I am pleased when I know that Teerasil and Adul are pronounced Teerasin and Adun, it shows respect to the player and I also believe it’s important to get the player’s names right, no matter how difficult.

I also try to not tell the viewer what they have just seen! I try to show why something happened. A goal may have come from a mistake 30 seconds before, or a player being technically wrong.

On a personal level I try not to get personal and abuse a player or a coach. Us coaches have enough enemies (in the media and administration) to contend with, we don’t need more. Also, I don’t think any player deliberately misses or lets a goal in on purpose (though that of course can be disputed, but is so hard to prove!). I try to be objective and professional. Though sometimes the pundit who blasts players is appreciated by the viewers and this is reflected in the ratings.

So basically it’s not as easy as it may seem. If it looks easy then we must be doing our job right. It’s also lucky in the Suzuki Cup I was not commentating like the incredible Dez Corkhill and had to say the ex Chonburi keepers name Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool. He was just “T” to me, and always will be when I’m on TV.

Some Helpful Advice For ToT: 2015

Some Helpful Advice For ToT
15th July, 2015

Today's opponents come in for a lot of stick from fans of other clubs for their tatty ground, poor support and even their "boring" kit. Personally, I don't mind ToT. They are a traditional club who battle hard against all the odds. Therefore, I have decided to offer up a few ideas in order to help improve their public image. Please read on...

Change their name
They could take a leaf out of The New Saints’ book here. The Welsh Premier League club changed its name from Total Network Solutions in 2006 but retained the original initials, TNS. ToT is full of possibilities. So, how about...
Tribes of Thor
Team of Titans
Tigers of Thailand
Towers of Thunder
Tub of Thrills

Move to another city
Nakorn Ratchasima would seem the obvious choice here. The local TPL club clearly has a surplus of fans so a move there would enable those who can’t quite squeeze into the 80th Birthday Stadium the opportunity to watch some top flight football, without the fear of getting squashed.

Make a marquee signing
They've missed out on Raheem Sterling but Robbie Fowler would be a good choice. He’s played in Thailand before, is familiar with the culture and is currently in the kingdom with Liverpool. If they act quickly enough they could nab him this week - getting him to sign on on the tarmac at Suvarnabhumi would be a marketing man's dream. Maybe he could also be persuaded to ask his mates Macca and Didi to join him.

Bring back the band
We all loved the ToT band. More often than not, their playing was far more entertaining than what was happening on the pitch. Bring them back and offer free admission to anyone who brings an instrument to the stadium. Let's raise the roof!

Sex up the kit
I’ve seen the current kit described as “boring”. Therefore, they need to ditch it. How about dressing up the players in the style of their coach? Somchai Subpherm has a style all of his own; part maverick cop, part western gunslinger, part Ramones. How cool would that look be on a football team!

Get a new mascot
The current mascot is a rather weedy looking cartoon telephone engineer, who looks like he'd burst into tears at the drop of a hat (or safety helmet). They need to change this to something more intimidating. How about the character pictured above right? That would scare the living daylights out of any opponents, especially at night matches!

Move to Pluto
The dwarf planet is getting a lot of worldwide attention right now. Moving there would certainly raise their profile. And it has a better atmosphere than the ToT Stadium. Boom! Boom!

Ask Danny Baker to be their honourary president
The Radio 5 presenter has developed quite a liking for the club - who he refers to as Tot - and often mentions them on his Saturday morning show. Getting the former NME man on board would be a great coup. They could also become the partner club of his favourite team Millwall - no-one likes them either.

Improve their internet service
Nuff said!

The Shark Away: 2009