Muangthong play TOT on Sunday @1830, Yamaha Stadium. I've introduced TOT before and the only real change in the scenario is that Kone is now back on the right side and Christian is back in contention. As I will mention in the following article, a TOT player recently headbutted a ref, not the first time the club has caused trouble.
****
The Thai FA did a bit of housekeeping this week with several fines, suspensions and general bottom-smacking being dished out. The top priority was officiating with several complainants coming forward including a dispute between BG and Pattaya (2 goals disallowed) and a shocking non-penalty in a match involving Korat FC. However the biggest headline grabber was the complaint by MTU concerning last week’s thriller against Chai Nat in which one MTU goal from Teerasil was disallowed, a very, very soft penalty was awarded to Chainat and MTU players were falsely flagged offside no less than three times. In another serious case, a TOT player head-butted a referee! (See the clip here )
The severity and nature of punishments for these and other offences has been, to put it gently, inconsistent. Fines and suspensions have been dished out impetuously with no apparent minimum, benchmark or standard procedure in sight. In our case, both the referee and the linesman have been suspended. No action has been taken against the TOT player yet.
On the one hand, we should applaud the TFA for taking any action whatsoever. As strange as that may sound, those of us who know Thailand know how it can sometimes be impossible to prompt any action to be taken by bureaucracy at all. Many countries close to Thailand have been known to simply ignore complaints and allegations of corruption in football.
On the other hand, I do wish we could find some composure in the way these cases are dealt with. At the moment, the impression is that the Thai FA (TFA) deals with any form of complaint or problem by having a “meeting” (Thai bureaucrats love meetings, committees and pretend deadlines) and deciding how to handle each case as it comes up. This isn’t a bad system per se but it leaves itself wide open to allegations of favouritism, undue influence and simple human error. If the referee from the Korat game is not punished for failing to award what could be the most obvious penalty and red card in history - a case so clear even the offender seemed shocked nothing was done - then Korat fans might be tempted to look at Muangthong’s board with its connections to the Thai FA and the different bank balances between the two clubs and ask rightly or wrongly: “Is that the reason for the different outcomes?”.
I also question the long term wisdom of simply suspending officials. While it might provide a rather satisfying sense of retribution for fans, it offers no future benefit. If a referee/linesman disallows a legal goal, awards a very soft penalty and falsely flags a player offside then he is either:
a) incompetent or
b) “got at”
If the case is “a” then the TFA should decide if further training will bring the official up to scratch. After all, it’s worth remembering that the explosion of Thai footie has left officials behind. Most have been deprived of further development training to keep them up to speed with the thousands of knowledgeable fans flooding in to watch the big clubs. So in this case the official should, logically, be sent for further training. On the other hand, if the powers that be think the individual is simply incapable, he should be sacked. Merely suspending him means that he’ll be back making the same mistakes soon.
On the other hand if the board have evidence or simply believe that a disallowed goal, soft penalty and three incorrect offsides against the same team is too much of a coincidence for one game, then the answer is “b”. In this case a full investigation (no doubt a “committee” would be set up with a random deadline) should be launched and if found guilty, the offender should be subject to criminal proceedings. This is not simply for the sake of justice itself, but also to send a message that corruption will not be tolerated. Again, a suspension simply means that it will all be forgotten and forgiven in three weeks.
So in either case, the job has not been fully done. Thank you and “well done” to the Thai FA for doing their best to get things straight, but we need more. But while we are discussing the integrity of officials, we also have to be very sure we protect them. I believe a zero tolerance policy of violence towards officials is needed and the TOT player who gave a referee a Glaswegian kiss should receive a life ban.
We need clear, published rules in Thai and English explaining each offence, the minimum punishment and the procedure and personnel responsible for further investigation. We also need to know what preventative measures are being taken to protect officials, reduce the number of incidents and take Thai football to the next level.
Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Friday, 28 January 2011
2011 squad line-up
The OS has not updated its ticket details or squad list in well over one year, so ahead of the new season, here is an unofficial guide from your humble blogger.
Tickets:
Last season cost 80 baht for North or South Stands, 100 baht for the side stands. Expect that to rise about 20-40 baht each this season. Season ticket details here.
The Squad:
Now, because some people refer to players by first name, some by surname and some by nickname, I use whatever I find easiest to remember. So in this list I'll also state how I will refer to them in my match reports.
28. Witsanusak Kaewruang GK "Witty"
Intended to be the new reserve goalie. Signed from Songhkla in close-season.
Most likely to: Get a sore backside.
1. Weera Koedpudsa GK "Weera"
Bangkok United's player of the year. Signed for us close-season. Intended to be long-term replacement for Kawin.
Most likely to: Get dizzy at being above halfway in the league table.
26. Kawin Thamasatchanan GK "Kawin"
Still with us because of his injury. Thailand's best goalie may well leave for bigger things once he gets fit but the silver lining is we may get a few more games out of him.
Most likely to: Ask the ref to stop the game so he can help an old lady cross the road. Nice chap that he is.
3. Toni Kallio LB "Kallio"
Finnish veteran signed close-season. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to the Thai game. Could be a big hit or a quick mistake.
Most likely to: Clatter someone and get a red card. And later, not clatter someone but that someone pretends he did and gets him red-carded again.
4. Panupong Wongsa CB "Panupong"
Highly-rated central defender who won some awards last year.
Most likely to: Get some MOTM awards on this blog.
5. Zesh Rehman CB "Sesh/Zesh"
Highest paid player. A new signing from Bradford. Will the language barrier stop him being the new captain?
Most likely to: Tell me: "Get lost and stop asking me for an interview!".
? Coulibly Abdoul DM/DF "Coulibly"
African deep-midfielder that greatly impressed when he joined midway into last season.
Most likely to: Look like he's about to get broken in half, then win the ball.
6. Nattapron Panarit CB "Nattaporn"
Another MTU veteran defender. Gives 100% every time. Wore the captain's armband after Jetsada got dropped last year.
Most likely to: Do a lot of stuff that goes unnoticed, but is vital.
7. Datsakorn Thonglao MD "Datsakorn"
The master of the long range screamer and a battling mid-fielder. Tremendous to still have him on the books.
Most likely to: Burst the net.
8. Kittipol Paphunga MD "Kittipol"
The very highly-rated Tero player that we bizzarely signed while still injured is supposed to be fit for the new season. Could be a contender for player of the year if he gets back to full fitness.
Most likely to: Have the highest medical insurance bill of the whole squad.
11.Kabfah Boonmatoon MD "Kabbie"
One half of the Osotspa Saraburi signings. Unknown quantity.
14. Issoufou Boubacar Garba MD "No idea"
Nigerian national. Another unknown quantity.
Most likely to: Have me pronounce his name wrong.
15. Ali Diarra DM/MD "Ali"
Ivorian product of the youth team who spent last season at Phuket FC. Name-wise he sounds way too much like Ali Dia for my liking.
Most likely to: Give me nightmare flashbacks of this. Yes, I was there.
16. Jakkraphan Pornsai LW "Jakkaphan"
One of the top signings of the close season. This winger comes highly rated and replaces much-needed pace that we've lost to outgoing players.
Most likely to: Have me raving about "pace".
18. Santi Chaiyaphurk MD "Santa"
Signed from Pattaya United. Not all Pattaya fans were sorry to see him go but he is regarded as having a lot of skill.
Most likely to: Have me grumbling.
19. Pichitphong Choeichiu MD "Pitchipong"
Another veteran mid-fielder that won his place back last season.
Most likely to: Turn up with his hair sprayed some ridiculous colour, with the boots to match.
20. Amorn Thammanarm MD/RW "Ammorn"
Pacy player that was usually on the bench last season.
Most likely to: Come on 15 minutes before the end of the game.
21. Dagno Siaka AM "Dagno/Danny O"
Pronounced "Danny-oh". Needs no introduction. Player of the year.
Most likely to: Take penalties. And score them.
17. Anon Sangsanoi ST "Anon" (until I find another name)
The most exciting close-season arrival. Natural poacher
Most likely to: Score goals! We hope!
10. Teerasil Dangda ST "Teerasil"
Pronounced: "Teera-sin".The target man. You know him.
Most likely to: Change feet then chip the goalie.
9. Miroslav Tóth FW "Toth"
Eastern European player joined from TOT.
Most likely to: Be the easiest player to recognise.
13. Christian Yao Kouakou "Chris/Christian"
Very, very talented player that became a hit last season. It's a pleasant surprise that he will at least be starting the season with us. Could be hugely successful with a little work on his mental approach to the game.
Most likely to: Wind up a player, go down easily, realise he won't get anything, get up, beat two defenders and nutmeg the 'keeper.
Other players that may play a part:
22. DF/MD Naruphol Ar-Romsawa
23. MF Piyapol Bantao
34. MD Paitoon Tiepm
35. LB Weerawut Kayem
Tickets:
Last season cost 80 baht for North or South Stands, 100 baht for the side stands. Expect that to rise about 20-40 baht each this season. Season ticket details here.
The Squad:
Now, because some people refer to players by first name, some by surname and some by nickname, I use whatever I find easiest to remember. So in this list I'll also state how I will refer to them in my match reports.
28. Witsanusak Kaewruang GK "Witty"
Intended to be the new reserve goalie. Signed from Songhkla in close-season.
Most likely to: Get a sore backside.
1. Weera Koedpudsa GK "Weera"
Bangkok United's player of the year. Signed for us close-season. Intended to be long-term replacement for Kawin.
Most likely to: Get dizzy at being above halfway in the league table.
26. Kawin Thamasatchanan GK "Kawin"
Still with us because of his injury. Thailand's best goalie may well leave for bigger things once he gets fit but the silver lining is we may get a few more games out of him.
Most likely to: Ask the ref to stop the game so he can help an old lady cross the road. Nice chap that he is.
3. Toni Kallio LB "Kallio"
Finnish veteran signed close-season. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to the Thai game. Could be a big hit or a quick mistake.
Most likely to: Clatter someone and get a red card. And later, not clatter someone but that someone pretends he did and gets him red-carded again.
4. Panupong Wongsa CB "Panupong"
Highly-rated central defender who won some awards last year.
Most likely to: Get some MOTM awards on this blog.
5. Zesh Rehman CB "Sesh/Zesh"
Highest paid player. A new signing from Bradford. Will the language barrier stop him being the new captain?
Most likely to: Tell me: "Get lost and stop asking me for an interview!".
? Coulibly Abdoul DM/DF "Coulibly"
African deep-midfielder that greatly impressed when he joined midway into last season.
Most likely to: Look like he's about to get broken in half, then win the ball.
6. Nattapron Panarit CB "Nattaporn"
Another MTU veteran defender. Gives 100% every time. Wore the captain's armband after Jetsada got dropped last year.
Most likely to: Do a lot of stuff that goes unnoticed, but is vital.
7. Datsakorn Thonglao MD "Datsakorn"
The master of the long range screamer and a battling mid-fielder. Tremendous to still have him on the books.
Most likely to: Burst the net.
8. Kittipol Paphunga MD "Kittipol"
The very highly-rated Tero player that we bizzarely signed while still injured is supposed to be fit for the new season. Could be a contender for player of the year if he gets back to full fitness.
Most likely to: Have the highest medical insurance bill of the whole squad.
11.Kabfah Boonmatoon MD "Kabbie"
One half of the Osotspa Saraburi signings. Unknown quantity.
14. Issoufou Boubacar Garba MD "No idea"
Nigerian national. Another unknown quantity.
Most likely to: Have me pronounce his name wrong.
15. Ali Diarra DM/MD "Ali"
Ivorian product of the youth team who spent last season at Phuket FC. Name-wise he sounds way too much like Ali Dia for my liking.
Most likely to: Give me nightmare flashbacks of this. Yes, I was there.
16. Jakkraphan Pornsai LW "Jakkaphan"
One of the top signings of the close season. This winger comes highly rated and replaces much-needed pace that we've lost to outgoing players.
Most likely to: Have me raving about "pace".
18. Santi Chaiyaphurk MD "Santa"
Signed from Pattaya United. Not all Pattaya fans were sorry to see him go but he is regarded as having a lot of skill.
Most likely to: Have me grumbling.
19. Pichitphong Choeichiu MD "Pitchipong"
Another veteran mid-fielder that won his place back last season.
Most likely to: Turn up with his hair sprayed some ridiculous colour, with the boots to match.
20. Amorn Thammanarm MD/RW "Ammorn"
Pacy player that was usually on the bench last season.
Most likely to: Come on 15 minutes before the end of the game.
21. Dagno Siaka AM "Dagno/Danny O"
Pronounced "Danny-oh". Needs no introduction. Player of the year.
Most likely to: Take penalties. And score them.
17. Anon Sangsanoi ST "Anon" (until I find another name)
The most exciting close-season arrival. Natural poacher
Most likely to: Score goals! We hope!
10. Teerasil Dangda ST "Teerasil"
Pronounced: "Teera-sin".The target man. You know him.
Most likely to: Change feet then chip the goalie.
9. Miroslav Tóth FW "Toth"
Eastern European player joined from TOT.
Most likely to: Be the easiest player to recognise.
13. Christian Yao Kouakou "Chris/Christian"
Very, very talented player that became a hit last season. It's a pleasant surprise that he will at least be starting the season with us. Could be hugely successful with a little work on his mental approach to the game.
Most likely to: Wind up a player, go down easily, realise he won't get anything, get up, beat two defenders and nutmeg the 'keeper.
Other players that may play a part:
22. DF/MD Naruphol Ar-Romsawa
23. MF Piyapol Bantao
34. MD Paitoon Tiepm
35. LB Weerawut Kayem
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