Eka Vs BG - Photos

Photos credit of sugar_t_t. Lots more great pictures here

Nonthaburi FC Vs Bangkok Glass - highlights

Nonthaburi FC 0 Bangkok Glass 2 - Report

Credit:siamsport.co.th

Nonthaburi FC went down 2-0 at home to Bangkok Glass despite a brave and spirited performance that had looked like it might earn the Division 2 side a draw.

The single-stand stadium was almost completely full and the Bangkok Glass allocation was sold out thirty minutes before kick off. Many away fans and some home fans took up positions around the fenced area of the pitch to watch the game for free. Both sets of fans generated a tremendous atmosphere.

Nonthaburi's line up featured three players on loan from Buriram (I'm not sure if it's "PEA" or "FC") as the owner of Nonathburi is an associate of Newin Chidchob. Korean player K.Sung had a particularly strong game.

In the first half Eka Nonthaburi played a defensive game to a slow pace, a smart tactic that served its purpose of frustrating the visitors and going some way to negate their superior pace and skill. However Eka rarely looked like scoring on the break.

The second half continued in a similar pattern and only some goalkeeping heroics from home 'keeper Marak Matadam - who was confident enough to perform his trademark forward roll with his very first save of the game - combined with a little luck kept out the Premier League side.

The breakthrough came about fifteen minutes from time following a cross from the right wing into the Eka area that was headed home. It was a cruel blow for the home side who had proven themselves stubborn and sturdy despite the pressure they were under. A Michael Byrne screamer not long after put the game beyond doubt despite a late rally by Nothaburi.

The second leg is likely to end with a similar or greater score but Nonthaburi can take great pride and confidence from this encounter as they proved tactically adept and very hard to break down even against a nearly full strength BG.

Man of the match:

Marak Matadam

No doubt about this one: Eka's cult hero Marak Matadam. Had the relatively small sized goalie looked nervous or shaky under pressure, this would not have been such a close contest. Instead, he performed two excellent saves and one tip against the crossbar to keep his side in the game.


The starting team:
1 Marak Matadam
2 Anuchit Gratama
6 Venus Ponsa
16 Gidja Choosing
20 Thanom Sangjangda
15 Bouagba Carrion
17 Sathit Sriuthai
27 Jenwit Boonsuwan
28 Prasop 
29 Kim Young Sung
8 Sarawut Thasong

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Rajpracha Nonthaburi drew 0-0 away to Roi Et. Return fixture is next Wednesday.

Big game for EKA

Nonthaburi FC take on Bangkok Glass this Sunday at the Rama 9 Stadium in the Toyota League CUP. After much confusion over ticketing, temporary stands and other issues, it's been decided that.......well nothing much has been decided or confirmed except that the club will not change the venue.

EKA will be looking to cause an upset in this two-legged fixture and will need to call on all their experience and physical presence to match the high ranking, high budget TPL side.

Photo credit: bangkokglassfc.com 

Rajpracha 2 Sriracha 0 - FA Cup

Raj moved in to the last eight with a dominating performance against a flat Sriracha side that avenged the recent league defeat.

Neutrals would be surprised to learn that Sriracha were the top side and Raj the strugglers of D1 as after the first five minutes, the home side always looked the stronger.


Both goals came in the first half - a penalty by Pontawee and a finish inside the box from Pantong.


The only surprise is that more goals did not come. Raj could easily have scored six or seven with better finishing as they knocked the ball around neatly and quickly for much of the game. Sriracha also had chances aplenty and lost out by some terrible finishing and yet another solid display by Yen Emile. It's a shame the stretcher had to appear so much in the second half as Raj really did not need to run down the clock. There was only one team in this game.


A couple of asides - Raj sported a different kit - similar to that of PEA Buriram - for reasons unknown and also appeared late for the second half. This has happened just once before.....in the league game against Sriracha.


The win means Raj are just one of two D1teams  in the hat for the quarter finals.

Crown news

After defeating Prachinburi to make it two impressive wins in a row, Raj will go in for their FA Cup match at home to Sriracha this Wednesday at 1800 at the Thunderdome full of confidence.

If you are in the area, come and support Raj in their bid to take revenge for the 2-1 home defeat against the league leaders.

Transfers in

Here is a summary of players signed by Raj during the transfer window:

10. Seksit Srisai  (Asuumption Thonburi School) Midfield
25. Thanachot Suppol (Bangkok Glass) Forward
26. Noppadon Ponudom (Bangkok United) Striker
27. Pichit Kesaro (Pattaya United) Midfield
28. Phairot Keawketsri Defender
30. Kouame Yao Mathieu (Muangthong United)  Forward
31. Itthiporn Teprean (Asuumption Thonburi School) Defender

32. Thanapon Phao (Nakhom Pathom) Defender
33. Sylla Moussa (Chiang Rai United) Forward

Good luck to them all!

League Cup Draw

Samut Prakan Vs Muangthong United
Roi Et Vs Rajpracha
Nonthaburi Vs Bangkok Glass

Nakhom Pathom 1 Rajpracha 2

A great win for rajpracha puts them four points clear of the drop zone. More details to follow.

Raj draw, Nonthaburi's "win" was strange

Raj drew 1-1 away to improved PTT today.

Nonthaburi's league cup win mentioned in my previous blog was controversial. Keasetstart players actually walked off during the game after arguing against a referee's decision. The coach said he did not want his players to get into trouble because they were angry. Apparently the coach didn't consider that walking off during a game might cause a bit of trouble , too.

The game was therefore forefeited 2-0 to Nonthaburi and the Regional League may announce a further punishment on Monday.

Your blogger will make an effort to be at the league match between these teams to tell the Kaesetstart coach what he thinks of him.

Nonthaburi qualify for Toyota Cup

Although they went down 0-2 at home to North Bangkok last weekend - see the goals here - , Nonthaburi won 2-0 away to Kaesetstart yesterday to win qualification to the Toyota League cup. This means Eka could face off against Muangthong, Bangkok Glass, Rajpracha or any of the other big boys.

The home ground

Picture credit: โจ้@ชฎาเกรท at rajprachanonthaburi.com

It seems that amazingly, work is actually being done on Rajpracha's true home ground at Wat Boat Don Prom. In Thailand these things can be procrastinated forever and a day so it's encouraging to see real progress, albeit slightly.

The Thunderdome is simply too big for Raj and it makes it hard for fans to generate atmosphere. The sooner we get home, the better.
More pictures here

Raj 1 Sriracha 2 - Report

Raj balanced last week's little stroke of luck with a little misfortune today as they surrendered a one-nil lead to lose one-two at home to Division One leaders Sriracha in front of another large crowd with lots of visiting supporters.

The visitors had most of the possession in the first half but were held out by some deep and numerous defending by Raj. However, around the thirty five minute mark a cross towards Tahamassee resulted in a complete miss-shot by the striker and the ball rolled to Raj's number twenty six Noppon Ponudom. The recent signing from Bangkok United put the ball in the top right corner to take a one-nil lead for his side.

The second half was fought in a similar pattern and Raj held on to their lead only by courtesy of yet another outstanding display of goalkeeping by Yen Emile. Surely this man in the best goalkeeper outside the Premiership?

Midway through the second half a Sriracha forward beat two men to slot home within the six yard box to make the score one all. The referee continued a program of very weak-minded officiating and a bizarre free kick that should have been given to Raj but instead was given against them resulted in a  forward surge and a second goal for Sriracha. Raj fought back in the dying moments but it was not their day.

Nonetheless this was a brave performance and if we can continue playing to this standard, we will be safe. We also have a quick chance for revenge against Sriracha in our upcoming FA Cup fixture.

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Nonthaburi went down 0-2 at home to North Bangkok College to deal a heavy blow to Eka's playoff hopes.

Nonthaburi FC - Toyota Cup game postponed

Eka's game against Keasetstart in the TLC was postponed at the last moment yesterday. Heavy rain caused a transformer to 'explode' and two floodlights to fail. The game is rescheduled for 1530 (for obvious reasons) next Wednesday.

Thanks to thai-fussball.de , here is a picture of the pitch yesterday....

Rajpracha Vs Sriracha

Raj will take on Sriracha at the Thunderdome on Saturday in a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup tie scheduled for the following week. (However, no less than three games are booked in to play at The Thunderdome at the same time on the same day!).


Sriracha sit atop the D1 table after being relegated from the TPL last season. However Raj will be coming into this game full of confidence after their 1-0 win against second placed Air Force last week.


If Raj could win this one, it would have a profound effect on the league title race and with thirteen games left, Raj themselves would be just eight points away from a promotion spot.

FA Cup 4th round draw

Navy Rayong (TPL) v BKK Utd (TPL)
Chonburi (TPL) v Samut Songkhram(TPL)
Army (TPL) v  PEA (TPL)
Sisaket (TPL) v TTM (TPL)
BEC Tero (TPL) v Nakhon Pathom (D1)
Rajpracha (D1) v SriRacha (D1)
Pattaya United (TPL) v Osotspa (TPL)
Muang Thong (TPL) v Air Force Utd (D1)

Kasembundit 1 Nonthaburi 1

Match pictures and crowd shots here

Raj 1 Air Force 0 - Highlights

Crowd shots here

Rajpracha 1 Air Force United 0 - Report

Raj edged out title-chasers Air Force United in a very closely fought and entertaining game at the Thunderdome.

The match was played out in front of large crowd with fans of both teams generating plenty of noise. Air Force brought the largest away support I have ever seen in D1 with them.

The first half was frustrating for both teams but the game sprang to life after the break as Rajpracha's number seventeen, Sulaiman, started to find space on the right wing. On two occasions he did the hard work only to waste the cross but on the third occasion, the Air Force goal could not hold the cross and the chance fell to Tamasee at the far post to turn it in.

The goal served to galvanise Air Force and as they upped the pressure and the pace, Raj players seemed to become very nervous. They struggled to hold possession, they snapped at clearances and on one occasion a player tried a feeble shot from the half way line thats served only to give away the ball and allow Air Force to mount a quick counter-attack. But with a little luck that has been and long time coming and some great work from goalkeeper Emile, Raj held on to delight the home fans and take a truly vital three points. Great work, lads!


Starting eleven:
1 GK Yen Emile
17 DF Suramon Awakajit
15 DF Dawuda Wulampah
33 DF Sylla Moussa (but playing as a striker)
2 DF Suriya Kupalang
23 DF Kittipong Somak
14 MF Sarawut Sintupan
11 MF Kornprom Jaroonpong
27 MF Pichit  Kesaro.
13 FW Narakorn Wisetthanakarn
16 FW Tameezee Hayeeyusoh