Raj v Bangkok Sanarak - photos

Some great photos here.

Raj 4 Bangkok Sanarak 0

Although the scoreline reflects the play, today's non-league opposition played with spirit and had chances of their own.However, it's Raj who progress through to the next round and mix with the big boys. Today's forth goal was scored by number nine,  Taiki Ishizu.

Photo credit: football.rajpracha.com

For the good it will do....

Dear sirs,

I write to you as an ex-patriot living in Thailand and a keen follower of Thai football. I was especially pleased to go along to my first Thai FA Cup match this season and I hope to see many more.

I was disappointed that many lower league teams, including my own local team of Nonthaburi FC, did not enter the competition. Apparently, many lower league teams find it hard and expensive to travel to FA Cup games and find the games are scheduled for difficult times.

I understand the Thai FA Cup is based around the English version, however in England, lower league teams are given financial and other assistance when organising cup matches home or away against other teams. This is seen by the FA and fans as a way of providing excitement to fans and increasing support for smaller teams. It also provides the famous 'FA Cup magic' when smaller teams take on bigger clubs and this is what the competition is known for.

I would encourage the Thai FA to take similar steps to ensure the FA Cup receives more lower league entrants.

Thank you and please keep up the good work!

Kind regards,
Greg
Nonthaburi

Game on tomorrow - Raj V Bangkok Sanarak

Raj V Bangkok Sanarak , 1800, Thunderdome

Raj are clear to get back to action tomorrow after the situation in Thailand has calmed somewhat. The Raj will be playing against Bangkok Sanarak in the FA Cup.

I know nothing about the opposition so no preview is possible. The Thai FA Cup is enjoying the second season of its renassance after being scrapped several seasons earlier. Sadly it seems few lower league teams will enter due to the lack of recompanse provided by the TFA (I'm going to email them about this) but Raj and Phuket and a few other smaller teams will still be hoping to provide a shock somewhere down the line.

Nonthaburi FC Vs Rose Asia - Highlights

No go for Raj V Chang Rai UPDATE

UPDATE: This game was cancelled anyway.

I was planning to attend the game between Raj and Chang Rai today but red shirts  have blocked Rattanthibet road, which is on my route, with tyres.

I will keep up with the score from my PC.

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Nothaburi FC dropped more points, drawing 2-2 with Rose Asia last weekend.

Raj 1 Nakhom Pathom 1

Little positive to report I'm afraid, so I'll wait for the next game.

Next game - Nakhom Pathom

Nakhom Pathom are a club with Premier League experience. As one of the first clubs to enter the TPL from outside Bangkok, they were relegated just last year. This year they are mounting a promotion challenge and currently sit in fifth place in Division One.


The province:
Nakhom Pathom is a neighbouring province to Nonthaburi and is famous for its fruits and Thai dishes. NP has a reputation for attracting good levels of away support and Muangthong United are unlikely to play this weekend, boosting home support for Raj.Let's hope for a good travelling contingent of fans and  big home support generating a good atmosphere  

Who to watch:
NP have an English player by the name of Lee Tuck (pictured left) who has played in non-league English football. I'm currently trying to contact Lee for an interview.

I call:
With Raj's form really starting to stutter, it's important to keep up our good home record. My heart says 2-1 Raj, my head says 1-1.


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Image credits: wikipedia.org , Nakhom Pathom FC Facebook group.

Highlights and photos

Customs 3 Raj 0

A good set of photos here

And highlights of Bangkok FC 2 Vs Nonthaburi 1  ...............

Result

Customs 3 Raj 0

Another poor result for Raj, this time to the team named "Suvarrnbarnhi" but pronounced "Suwanapoom",

Raj now mid table. Time to take stock.


Bangkok FC 2 Nonthaburi 1

The winning run of all three of my teams has hit a very large wall.

Prachinburi 2 Raj 1

Raj went down a fixture we should be looking to win if we want a serious push for promotion.

More details to follow.

Nonthaburi 0 Rangsit 1

It just didn't work out for Eka today against a surprisingly quick Rangsit side who looked dangerous on the break.


A lack-luster first half ended 0-0. In the second half, Rangsit scored with about fifteen minutes left. This seemed to wake up Nonthaburi who realised that their undefeated streak was at risk. New African striker Camara Fode was introduced to the action, but he failed to make an impact. Despite some close chances, Rangsit managed to defend well and feign enough injuries to run down the clock (but credit to the ref who booked one Rangsit player for time wasting).


This loss is an opening for North Bangkok College to close the gap and Nonthaburi need to return to form after the mid-season break.