Thailand Football

[Big Boy]

I've just realised, I didn't report that Thailand lost to Uzbekistan and are out of the competition.

[Big Boy]

Today is an important day for those with teams still in the FA Cup. The draw is made at 14:00hrs today.

semi.jpg (77.4 KiB) Viewed 3352 times

[Big Boy]

Ratchaburi vs Chiang Rai (Bill)
Sisaket vs Buriram

draw.jpg (43.01 KiB) Viewed 3341 times

[Big Boy]

This one is better,and in English:

draw.jpg (75.25 KiB) Viewed 3335 times

[Big Boy]

Hua Hin Dragons will be running a non-profit making bus (bus cost divided by number of passengers) to the Ratchaburi vs Chiang Rai game in Bangkok on 26 Sept. PM me if you are interested.

[Big Boy]

suzuki.jpg (38.76 KiB) Viewed 3275 times

[Big Boy]

FA Thailand proposed as 2020 AFC U23 Championship hosts

http://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/ ... nship-host

[Big Boy]

A strange story from last night's football in Thailand.

I reported on this thread a few weeks ago that a Thai referee had been suspended because of sheer incompetence. It now looks as though a 2nd referee is trying to equal that award.

Following the success of VAR at the recent World Cup, the wealthier Thai clubs were given the option to invest in the technology. Ratchaburi Mitr Phol are one of the clubs who accepted the offer, and have had VAR installed at a cost of 200,000 Baht. The Thai FA provides the extra officials to manage the system at further cost to the club.

Yesterday was a huge 'must win' match for Ratchaburi again Muangthong. There were many questionable incidents throughout the match, but in true 'know it all' fashion, the ref refused to listen to the video refs. The most questionable decisions being the denial of a perfectly good Ratchaburi goal that should have given them a 2 - 0 lead, and a Muangthong goal in the 91st minute that was clearly offside to the 4,000+ crowd, which gave Muangthong the 3 points.

Ratchaburi officials were livid, the video refs were ruling it offside, but the ref would not lose face by viewing the screen.

The match was delayed by many minutes while the Ratchaburi and league officials tried in vain to get the ref to consult the technology.

[Big Boy]

Another interesting story. Because of Asian games, there is a backlog of games in the Thai league. This video shows the crowd at one of yesterday's top T1 matches. Another own goal by the Thai FA:

[Big Boy]

Today is the Toyota League Cup semi-final day:

fixture.jpg (89.91 KiB) Viewed 3077 times

[Big Boy]

Nakhon Ratchasima 1 - 1 Chiang Rai (Chiang Rai win on penalties)
Buriram 1 - 2 Bangkok Utd

[caller]

Nakhon Ratchasima 1 - 1 Chiang Rai (Chiang Rai win on penalties)
Buriram 1 - 2 Bangkok Utd

Thanks BB - tough for the Swat Cats losing on penalties but some of their farang fans weren't so hopeful to start with, but I guess they're sickened now! Interesting to see Buriram were edged out in the match between the top two form teams. Perhaps Buriram will have a serious challenger next season?

[Big Boy]

Actually, they were robbed. Swatcats scored a perfectly good goal in normal time that was disallowed for offside. As with all Thai football, the rules depend upon which rulebook the referee takes with him to the match. Unfortunately for Swatcats, the referee had a 1980's version with him last night.

OK, there was no VAR on duty last night, but if there had been, Swatcats would be looking forward to playing Bangkok Glass in next month's final.

[caller]

Actually, they were robbed. Swatcats scored a perfectly good goal in normal time that was disallowed for offside.

Ah, not good! In the games I have watched, I thought the officiating generally poor, but that's not just a Thai problem any more.

[Big Boy]

The difference between T1 and T4 is like night and day, although it still depends upon which Ladybird book of Refereeing they learnt from.

I've never seen a single Thai referee play 100% to FIFA rules.

I personally put it down to the number of money making soccer academies springing up all over Thailand. The kids are learning on 6 or 7 a-side pitches, where the rules are different. They seem to carry these rules through to the senior game. Many coaches have no coaching qualifications, and don't know any better either.

If things are going to improve, the kids have to be taught properly. The problem is, Thai rules have become so embedded into the Thai game, it will take a long, long time.