CHIANG RAI – Chiang Rai United yesterday claimed their first win of the season by beating Osotspa M-150 Saraburi 1-0 in the Thai Premier League at Saraburi Stadium.

A first half Jessada Puanakunmee own goal separated the sides as Chiang Rai United won 1-0.

It wasn’t a particularly pretty performance from the Fighting Beetles, but Stefano Cuggura won’t be caring as his side grabbed their first league victory of the season.

Chiang Rai’s Thanongsak was the first keeper to be called into action on 12 minutes when he had to get down quickly to tip a Anthony Komenan shot around the post. From the resultant corner, Komenan’s angled header flew inches over the bar.

The former BEC Tero keeper then had to throw his body in front of a low Narong free kick from the left midway through the first half.

In the other goal, Chatchai had been a virtual spectator in the opening stages, yet he was picking the ball out of his net on 28 minutes. A through ball from Nantawat was being chased down by Leandro Assumpcao and Jessada. In a panic, Jetsada’s bid to clear saw him chip the ball over the unsuspecting Chatchai for Chiang Rai to take the lead against the run of play.

A minute before the break, a free header from Komenan was knocked around the post by the CRU keeper as the guests took a 1-0 lead into the break.

The M-Power came out in the second half chasing an equalizer but the quality of their final ball into the box was lacking. Chiang Rai Utd were quite happy to sit back and attack on the counter.

On 69 minutes, Uilian had a great chance to double Chiang Rai’s lead. The Brazilian was through on goal but he weakly side footed his effort straight into Chatchai’s body.

Shortly afterwards, the home fans frustration boiled over as they started throwing missiles onto the pitch after a touchline clash involving home favorite Panuwat and the villain of the piece, Nantawat.

Chiang Rai defended resolutely to see the game out for a 2-1 win although if truth being told, the Osotspa attack would have struggled to burst their way out of a wet chip poke.

The win moves Chiang Rai onto eight points which is only one behind Osotspa. The Saraburi club’s poor run of results is slowly sucking them into an unexpected relegation battle.

Man of the Match: Tanongsak Panpipat – His early saves kept CRU in the contest

Australian Footballer utility Goran Subara

BANGKOK - Australian utility Goran Subara has declared he is ready to play anywhere to help kick-start Bangkok Glass’ Thai Premier League season.

Subara has been battling injury since joining the Glass Rabbits in January, and has been forced to watch on as his side slumped to the bottom of the table courtesy of losses in their first two matches.

Defeat at Songkhla United in their opening match of the season cost former Adelaide United assistant Phil Stubbins his position as Bangkok Glass coach.

Subara, 25, has now returned to fitness and is eyeing his club debut.  While he is likely to assume a defensive role for his new team, he has sent a message to interim Anurak Srikerd ahead of next Wednesday’s league match at Chiangrai United.

“I can play in any position depending on the coach, although I’m better at center back or defensive midfielder.  But if the coach wants put me elsewhere, I’m fine,” Subara said.

“I thankful to my team-mates for helping me adjust to the team so fast… I feel welcome here.

“After missing the last two matches, I am fit now and I want to get onto the field and help my team.”

A product of New South Wales Premier League club Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Subara’s nomadic career has included stops at Singaporean clubs Gombak United, Balestier Khalsa and Warriors FC and PSM Makassar of Indonesia before his arrival in Thailand.

Should he debut next Wednesday, he could line up against countryman Kyle Nix, who joined Chiangrai in February.

Gone … Billy Mehmet decides to leave Perth Glory for Thailand

BANGKOK- Perth Glory striker Billy Mehmet has left the A-League club in order to link up with Thailand outfit Bangkok Glass Football Club.

Glory coach Ian Ferguson said he has already sounded out several potential replacements for the hard-working Mehmet, who scored 10 goals in 42 games for the club.

Mehmet’s departure frees up an international spot on the Glory’s roster, with Ferguson keen to secure a player before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month.

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“We have got one or two irons in the fire overseas and we’re waiting to see what happens with those, whether they are still progressing,” Ferguson said on Friday.

“We have put a couple of things to certain players and hopefully if it comes off, it’ll be great for Perth Glory.”

Mehmet, who has been used largely off the bench whenever Shane Smeltz has played this season, was keen to join a club where he could earn a regular start.

“I can’t guarantee anyone a first team place, and Billy is 29 and he wants to be playing regularly,” Ferguson said of Mehmet’s reasons to leave.

“It’s disappointing, but we don’t want unhappy players here either and if anyone wants to move on and head overseas, we won’t stand in their way.

“We’ve got good attacking cover.

“Travis Dodd can play up there, as can (Steven) McGarry and we’ve got (Chris) Harold and (Ryo) Nagai as well.

“Hopefully the players we bring in will do a good job for us.”

Perth will be aiming to break back to the winners’ list when they host Sydney FC on Saturday night.

Smeltz is set to start against the Sky Blues despite suffering a slight tweak to his groin at training this week.

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has been named the player-coach of Thailand Premier League side Muangthong United after their exit from the AFC Cup

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has been named the player-coach of Thailand Premier League side Muangthong United.

Fowler joined the club as a player, signing a one-year contract in July 2011, after spells in the Australian A-League with North Queensland Fury and Perth Glory. However, with Muangthong being knocked out of the AFC Cup by Kuwait this week, it was decided that action had to be taken.

A statement on the Muangthong website read: ”The Board have appointed Robbie Fowler as the acting Head Coach and terminate the contract of Portuguese boss Henrique Calisto. The contract is until the end of the season and the team must adapt to long-term goals if it is to succeed in Asia.”

The Anfield hero and homophobic abuser of Graeme Le Saux is to take that big step from playing to managing after being named as Muangthong United boss.

Fowler joined the Thailand Premier League club in a playing capacity this year, signing a one-year deal, after knocking around the Australian A-League for a while. Muangthong United were knocked out of the Asian Football Confederation Cup recently, a defeat which encouraged the board to take action.

The Anfield hero and homophobic abuser of Graeme Le Saux is to take that big step from playing to managing after being named as Muangthong United boss.

Fowler joined the Thailand Premier League club in a playing capacity this year, signing a one-year deal, after knocking around the Australian A-League for a while. Muangthong United were knocked out of the Asian Football Confederation Cup recently, a defeat which encouraged the board to take action.

A statement from the club said: “The Board have appointed Robbie Fowler as the acting Head Coach and terminate the contract of Portuguese boss Henrique Calisto. The contract is until the end of the season and the team must adapt to long-term goals if it is to succeed in Asia.”

I imagine Fowler will be advising his players against recreating his infamous simulated cocaine-sniffing antics on the Anfield pitch in 1999. I don’t think the Thai authorities are too big on drugs, are they?

The cheeky young scoundrel got a four-match ban and was fined over £30,000  for this.

With fans like this, no wonder the Glass Rabbits are having a good season

While the Thai Premier League could not have quite reached the heights of the English Premier League in football terms, however, when it comes to Thai club nicknames that will give the English a run for their money.
In the Premier League we are all familiar with the red, blue, city, and the United Kingdom and a few significant names, such as plastic bags, potters, and even Gunners.
In fact, the English league is richly endowed with interesting nicknames, but we’ll leave that for another day.
This is a healthy reflection of the growing popularity of the League of Thailand that the nicknames are beginning to catch on, but will take time.
Buriram PEA League leaders have a special nickname agitation, Castle Thunder. Now that’s enough to put the fear of God into any team, especially if you are visiting the magnificent New I-Mobile arena. One could imagine a young kid who can kick a ball would love to play for a team called Thunder Castle.
Many of the names reflect the natural environment of the club, especially when it comes to teams in the coastal cities. Chonburi FC are known as the shark and the neighbors Pattaya States prefer the Blue Dolphins.
Just down the coast of Sri Racha FC is called the Blue Marlin, Samut Songkhram SCG while playing under the name of Sylvester mackerel, popular local fish-Pla Too.
Teams in the northeast have peculiar nicknames as expected, although we are still anxiously awaiting a Som Tam Rovers to enter the league. Si Sa Ket are known as hazardous Kouprey, a nearly extinct species of ox native to the region of Isan.
Khon Kaen FC, home of the dinosaurs, which used to roam, go way back to prehistory is called the T-Rex and the team crest shows an image of a fearsome T-Rex clearly angry. The club was known simply as the dinosaurs, but that’s not really the best name to call a football team. It would be the equivalent of donkeys in Britain.
In the northern provinces, Chiang Rai has what must be a unique nickname for a football team, fighting the beetles. Now that you have a certain ring to it and comes from the struggles black beetles that are popular in the north between the people who enjoy a little game.
Also in this region Phichit FC are known as the Crocodile King and the club logo is a terrifying example of a hungry crocodile, with all his teeth showing.
Bangkok clubs also have colorful nicknames well. An eye-catching rabbits is the category of glass, the popular name of Bangkok Glass FC are also sometimes known as glass horses.
Muang Thong Defending champion United is popularly known as the Kirins (after the mythical creature with hooves, not the Japanese beer) or unicorns rampant, perhaps with a nod to Ferrari Ferrari.
Then we have fierce dragons fire BEC Tero Sasana, while Thailand-based FC Puerto Klong Toey, known as Puerto de los Leones and the logo of club has a stunning king of the jungle roar.
Perhaps the most interesting name comes from TOT SC is simply known as Hi. This may seem a little strange at first, but I guess it is quite appropriate for a team representing the Organization of Thailand phone.
And do not forget Insee Police FC, known as silver shields, although the team are often simply called the police. Maybe his supporters are called farang cops or Fuzz.
All teams are having a rest this month and the halfway stage of the League of Thunder Castle Buriram guys looking to flee with her at the top, chased by sharks and rabbits Chon Buri glass.
On the wrong side of the table are the Royal Thai Navy which seem to have a nickname, in part because they change the name of the club. Maybe if they get a nickname of his fortune could be improved.
Khon Kaen is fighting on the other side in the second from the bottom and the need to give their dinosaur kick your ass. Maybe T-Rex to ask for reinforcements to their mates or Teradactyl Brontosaurus. This should be enough to order his opponents.

Writer: Nobby Piles

Buriram PEA’s Obama Florent, left, is the first player to have scored at the club’s New I-Mobile stadium yesterday

Buriram PEA opened their newly-built New I-Mobile stadium with a 5-0 win over Chiang Rai United in the Thai Premier League last night. The stadium was packed to its 24,000 capacity and Buriram players did not disappoint their chairman Newin Chidchob and fans.

Buriram, who were defeated by Si Sa Ket for their first loss of the season, got off to a fast start taking the lead after 12 minutes through Obama Florent.

The Thunder Castle squandered numerous chances and took a 1-0 lead at half-time.

The hosts got the second goal in the 54th minute from a Sarif Sainui header.

Chiang Rai were reduced to 10 men after 69 minutes when goalkeeper Arthit Thanusorn was sent off for kicking Ekwalla Herman.

Suchao Nutnum’s spot kick gave Buriram a 3-0 lead in the 75th minute.

A minute later, Franck Ohandza made it 4-0 and Frank Acheampong completed the rout in the 88th.

Buriram are leaders at the end of the first half of the season. They have 42 points, 10 more than Chonburi who have played two games less.

At PAT stadium, hosts Thai Port FC defeated Khon Kaen 3-0 in their final match under coach Sasom Pobprasert who will become Buriram FC boss in the second half of the season.

Sompong Sorleb, Ekkachai Sumre and Arif Pohji, who will all join Sasom at Buriram FC, were on target.

In yesterday’s other match, Siam Navy lost to Sri Racha 1-0.

Bangkok Glass’s Sarayuth Chaikamdee is one of the hottest strikers in the Thai Premier League at the moment.

Thai Premier League leaders Buriram PEA will meet Chiang Rai United in their first competitive match. It will also be their last match of the first half of the season.

“It will be a historic match for our team,” said Buriram coach Attapol Bussapakom.

“It will be our first match in our new home, New I-Mobile stadium. Our aim is to win the league title this season so we must get the three points on this special day. We will not only try to win but will also try to entertain the fans.”

Buriram will be keen to seal a win after losing their unbeaten record at Si Sa Ket last week.

The Thunder Castle are heavy favourites against Chiang Rai but Attapol warned his men not to underestimate the promoted side.

“They have lost only once in their last five games. We must be careful about their counter-attack. They have good strike partners in Wasant Natasant and Edvaldo Pereira who both are fast,” he said.

“I know that everybody wants to show their skills in the first match at New I-Mobile stadium but we must be patient. If we play according to our plans and stay patient, then we will surely beat them.”

Only 2,000 tickets are left and will be available at the stadium at 9am.

With a capacity of 24,000, the 400 million baht New I-Mobile is the country’s biggest privately owned stadium.

Trouble-plagued Thai Port FC host Khon Kaen in their last match under coach Sasom Pobprasert who guided them to win the FA Cup in 2009 and the League Cup last year.

Sasom will join Buriram PEA’s sister club Buriram FC in Division One in the second half of the season. A couple of Thai Port players will also join Sasom at Buriram FC including Sompong Sorleb and Ekkachai Sumre.

Second-bottom Siam Navy entertain tail-enders Sri Racha in an eastern derby in today’s other match.

Second-placed Chonburi were held to a 1-1 home draw with Muang Thong United last week and the Sharks could drop more points when they travel to in-form Bangkok Glass tomorrow.

Following a slow start to the season, the Glass Rabbits have been in a good run and are now third.

While Chonburi strikers Pipob On-mo and Ney Fabiano have been misfiring lately, Glass forward Sarayuth Chaikamdee has been on fire.

Fourth-placed Muang Thong, the two-time defending champions, hope to continue their revival when they host Pattaya United.