Buriram ref suspended and six pointer coming up

The referee from the Buriram game suspended for two weeks following a Muangthong complaint. This is, of course, sticking a band aid ("plaster" as we Brits say) on a much more serious wound. Thai refs need much more training, monitoring and integrity.

Muangthong face BG Pathum tomorrow in a six-pointer. I personally preferred the club when they were known as Bangkok Glass and wore green as their main colour. They had a far more unique and fresh feel to them then, as well as their own superhero. I predict a MTUTD victory in this one.

MTU Vs Buriam PEA - preview part 1

It's a fixture that most would've have tipped as a potential title decider before the season kicked off, but with the very shaky start to the season made by the Quilins, Saturday's fixture is more a case of a chance to catch up for the home side.

The fixture was originally scheduled to be played in Buriram but the two clubs made a mutually beneficial agreement to switch. MTU feel they have a better chance playing the fixture at home at this stage and PEA want their home game to be played at their new stadium which is not ready yet.

Newin Chidchob has made few changes to the PEA squad for this season. Dudu has departed, Cameroonian Frank Ohandza has joined the ranks and made a good first impression. The only points dropped by PEA so far have been at home to Police United in a one-all draw.

But whenever Buriram PEA or Buriram FC are involved, it seems inevitable that more than just the football will catch the eye. Owner Newin Chidchob is still making political headlines, various concerns have been raised about potential conflicts of interest should Buriram FC reach the TPL and more than once fans have gasped in amazement at some officiating decisions in PEA/FC Games. There was the experience of MTU last season, and a disallowed goal by Khoen Kean against them last week that had the commentators very confused. Chiang Mai FC also had a goal disallowed and a strong penalty claim denied at the iMobile Stadium last weekend. In fairness, the goal may not have been legal. It's a big worry, but it doesn't change the fact that PEA have been the best team so far this season. Jakarta Casual thinks it's all over already.

The PEA fans are a noisy and numerous bunch and while nobody denies that some - though by no means all, maybe not even most - of their fans are paid to attend games, there can be no denying the noise they generate and the happiness they feel in following their team, or the gratitude they feel to Newin for bringing quality football to the masses. They have been perfectly behaved in every game.

Going into a home match not as clear favourites will be a new experience for Quilins fans. The champs are protecting an undefeated home league streak dating back to Division One. (The loss was against Sriracha.)

PEA have no English websites that I know of.

Last season was 0-0. Report here.

I predict MTU will field the same starting team as last week. There is no team news as of Tuesday. I will tweet any updates.

A fan interview and a tactical perspective coming soon.

Shorts

Kawin, Panupong, Nattaporn, Datsakorn and Teerasil are all included in Thailand's squad to face Graham Roberts' Pakistan in the Asian Games.

In a Bangkok Post interview, Robson made a point of saying that he was worried about player fatigue and the League Cup was introduced in Thailand without consideration of the Asian Games.

************************************
'The Nation', Thailand's other English language daily, has a feature on Mrs. (yes, Mrs.)  Chidchob and her ambitions with Buriram FC. In response to claims the fans at Buriram are a "set up", she endows us with this non-sequitur:

""I just want to ask our critics whether they'd like to see the same at their team games or not. If they say 'yes', then we have our answer. But even if they say 'no', they don't have the right to criticise other people."

*************************************

The FA Cup final with Chonburi seems to be a point of concern amongst many Quilins fans for two reasons. First is the Suphachalasai Stadium capacity which is not too high at 28,000 or so. It's possible many fans will be turned away because of reason number two which is a widespread rumour that Thai Port fans will attend the game to cheer Chonburi. Given the attacks by small sections of Thai Port fans against Muangthong fans at the same venue in the Kor Royal Cup and given the recent pre-meditated violence by the same fans at BG, you can understand the concern. It would seem far more sensible to switch the venue to Rajmangala and ensure plenty of police are present.

*****************************************
I'm told that the MTU squad could see an almost complete overhaul in close season with a very large number of departees and some interesting new signings.

Next up - Buriram PEA (away)

Credit:http://douglas-atacante.blogspot.com/

This Sunday, Muangthong travel to Buriram in a bid to become the first team to defeat Buriram PEA at the Thundercastle. Buriram's success this season has been due to a strong defence. Now they will, once again, come up against the best and highest-scoring team in the league. Which side will crack?

A little more about Buriram PEA in general was discussed before the home game.

As usual, both sets of fans will be friendly and well behaved but I must confess I'll be tempted to speak my mind a few times and that's not just because 'Thundercastle' sounds more like a ride at Dream World.

For one thing, it seems remarkably bad taste for a politician (Newin Chidchob) to acquire not one but two teams (Buriram PEA and Buriram FC) and then proceed to offer cash bonuses to other teams in the league and loan not one, not two but.....seven players from one club to the other.

It also goes against the natural instinct of a western football fan to accept fans given "incentives" to support a team, because we instinctively feel that fans should support a team through loyalty and nothing else. Also hard for us to understand is the idea of hero worshiping a politician. It has a very 'North Korean' feel to it.

Credit: www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc

Moreover, various reports have stated that while the home fans are perfectly friendly, security staff at the Thundercastle are, allegedly, both unfriendly and unhelpful. Any fans going to this game should be aware that on all previous occasions, items such as umbrellas, food boxes and any other items too big to fit in a pocket have been confiscated. The management at Muangthong are aware of this but of course as an away team, there is only so much that can be done about it.

But all this is just my opinion and I realise that Buriram fans are good people who will see things very differently. I'm sure most people will quite rightly focus on the football and it looks set to be an exciting game. Chonburi's win over Tero means they are still hot on our heels and Thundercastle is where Chonburi, Bangkok Glass and Pattaya all slipped up. Thai Port managed a draw. For us to falter too would fill Chonburi with hope.