In 2023-24 Simon and I started this podcast to cover Chiang Mai FC's season in T2 under new local ownership. As seasons go the year was undiluted soap opera. Coaches were fired, staff not paid, players not paid, suppliers not paid. At the end of the year, with the club in massive debt and the owner in hiding, the club was relegated to T3 for failing to meet licensing requirements.
The club's very existence was in doubt. A deal orchestrated by the Sports Authority of Thailand tried to bring together Brazilian investors with an amateur team and sports academy - Christ FC - based in Mae Rim in the North of Chiang Mai. This partnership would adopt the name of Chiang Mai FC. Half way through the T3 season the Brazilian investors and sponsors have been removed.
In the meantime our podcast has evolved to a broader coverage of Thai Leagues 2 and 3. Phil Williams has joined us and is a very welcome co-presenter. One of the lessons from last year was not to take our Thai football too seriously - a great way to avoid disappointment.
Thank you for listening. If you have any comments or suggestions please let us know.
All the best,
Phil, Simon and Rob
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In 2023-24 Simon and I started this podcast to cover Chiang Mai FC's season in T2 under new local ownership. As seasons go the year was undiluted soap opera. Coaches were fired, staff not paid, players not paid, suppliers not paid. At the end of the year, with the club in massive debt and the owner in hiding, the club was relegated to T3 for failing to meet licensing requirements.
The club's very existence was in doubt. A deal orchestrated by the Sports Authority of Thailand tried to bring together Brazilian investors with an amateur team and sports academy - Christ FC - based in Mae Rim in the North of Chiang Mai. This partnership would adopt the name of Chiang Mai FC. Half way through the T3 season the Brazilian investors and sponsors have been removed.
In the meantime our podcast has evolved to a broader coverage of Thai Leagues 2 and 3. Phil Williams has joined us and is a very welcome co-presenter. One of the lessons from last year was not to take our Thai football too seriously - a great way to avoid disappointment.
Thank you for listening. If you have any comments or suggestions please let us know.
All the best,
Phil, Simon and Rob
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Great away wins for Songkhla and Pattani 0 the beautiful south
Trat so close to ending Rasisalai's inbeaten run
Police Tero sing in the rain
Phrae win for the first time since August
NakhonSi's woes
Nara Utd's staff and fans cause massive fines and a ground closure from the Thai League
A round up of the depressingly predictable Chang FA Cup round of 64
CMFC go top or T3 North.
Dodgers win the world series.
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Early warning - this episode is long....suggest stocking up on food and survival needs.
Chiang Mai United put five past hapless NakhonSI to christen their new stadium.
Rasisalai go big on the road at Pattaya who have two players sent off.
Pattani take a point from Nongbua.
Ten man Police Tero beat unpredictable Khon Kaen.
Maranhao's super strike beats Kasetsart.
Phrae's late, late equaliser at Sisaket.
In T3 Burapha lose for the first time this season washed away by Fleet Utd.
CMFC go top of T3North.
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Rasisalai stay top though they tried to give up a three goal lead.
Big wins on the road for Police Tero and Bangkok FC
10 men Chainat take a point at Mahasarakham
CMFC win the Chiang Mai T3 derby in front of a crowd of 2107
At the other extreme there were just 90 at Nakhon Sawan.
Were Udon Banjan stitched up by their owner? 10 changes to the starting line-up.
Chiang Mai United move away from Lamphun.
And a big cheer for Costa Tenmorio Guttiner Heider Fernando.....a first goal of the season for the wonderfully named Bankhai player.
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Mahasarakham beat Kasetsart in the only T2 game of the weekend.
A full round up of T3 results and standings.
The Thai League Cup qualifying rounds.
This weekend's fixtures.
A look (with some egg on face) at our pre-season predictions for T2.
Why you dont want to be in the bottom 3 at mid-season.
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Phil joins us from Birmingham and Simon and I keep talking so that we do not have to answer any difficult questions.
New head coaches for Pattani and Bangkok FC.
Welington Smith is back and in style.
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Quick apology - the sound from Simon in Luang Prabang was not ideal.
@ajarnphil's T2 match summaries
___________________________
Nakhon Pathom 0 Pattani FC 0
Kick off was delayed by 30 minutes due to heavy rain but we did eventually get a game - albeit a goalless one. That was a decent away point for Pattani but they remain in the bottom three with just a solitary win from seven outings.
Rasisalai United 2 Police Tero 1
League leaders Rasisali United's sensational season continues as they defeated Police Tero with an injury time winner from Nattapon Yongsakool. Rasisalai stay top of the pile - and The Monkey Kings are still unbeaten in 7 games.
Pattaya United 1 Songkhla 0
Pattaya look a decent side going forward. A first goal of the season for Elias Oliveira (from the penalty spot) settled this particular contest and saw Pattaya move up into the top six. They'll be delighted with their campaign so far.
Nongbua Pichaya 3 Phrae United 0
After starting the season with four straight wins, Phrae are having a serious wobble. Caion's first goal of the season gave Nongbua the lead on 13 minutes. Thanayut and Sarayat added to the tally in the second half.
Although Phrae remain in second place, there's a host of clubs now breathing down their neck.
Chiang Mai United 3 Chainat Hornbill 4
Chainat edged a 7-goal thriller at Chiang Mai United to move up to second in the table. Six of the goals came in a blistering first half, but the contest was decided by an Amarildo penalty in the 71st minute.
Trat FC 0 Sisaket United 1
Sisaket United are decent on the road and they picked up another three points at struggling Trat FC, thanks to a Felipe Santos goal - his 4th of the season - a minute from time. Sisaket move into the top five but it's looking like another long, hard season ahead for Trat.
Khon Kaen United 4 Nakhonsi United 5
Another T2 Sunday goal fest provided great entertainment at the Khon Kaen Provincial Stadium. Nanthawat Suankaeo scored a hat-trick for Nakhonsi United as they defeated Khon Kaen in what was probably the shock of the weekend. The 27-year-old ex-Port and ex-BG Pathum striker also managed to put a goal in his own net as well.
Mahasarakham 2 Chantaburi 2
An injury time strike from the much travelled Chitchanok rescued a point for Mahasarakham at home to Chantaburi. Both clubs - somewhat surprisingly - struggling down at the wrong end of the table.
Kasetsart 0 Bangkok FC 2
Bangkok FC finally picked up their first win of the season at Kasetsart, but the three points are not quite enough to lift them off the bottom of the table. First half goals from Sittichok and Jarvey Gayosa did the damage.
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A weekend of unexpected results; some fine goals; goalkeeping from the sublime to the ridiculous; and Phil's first Wally of the week.
Phrae and Khon Kaen United battle out a 1-1 draw. Mahasarakham and Pattani both score injury time goals to salvage a point. Rasisalai win at Nakhon Si.
Just how good are Chainat this season? And Kasetsart?
In T3 Tiago Chulapa opens his account for Fleet with a late winner.
Today's Chang FA Cup qualifying round results for T2 clubs:
Knocked out: 5 T2 teams.
Chanthaburi - lost 2-4 at FC Yala
Bangkok FC - 0 lost on penalties at Nara Utd
Pattaya Utd - lost 0-3 at home to Pattaya City
Chainat - lost on penalties at Customs Utd
Nakhon Si United lost 2-0 at Uttaradit
Through to next round: 5 T2 teams.
Chiang Mai United - won 3-1 at SIngburi Warriors
Nongbua PItchaya - won 6-1 at Futera Utd.
Kasetsart beat Muang Loei on penalties.
Nakhon Pathom beat Chatrakkan City 1-0
Sisaket beat Padriew City 3-2.
4 T2 teams did not enter.
4 T2 teams have a bye to the next round.
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Pattani and Songkhla both have every reason to feel hard done by - while Nakhon Si United were simply done over!
Phrae remain top but their 100% record came to an end.
In T3N all six opening weekend games resulted in away wins.
And Simon reports in from exile in Pattaya!
Thanks for listening.
Breaking news tonight - all Pattani home games in Thail League 2 will now kick off at 5pm starting this weekend.
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Marlon Silva's injury time winner creates Pattani history.
Neto, Mosquito, Brandao, Amarildo, Felipe, Phillerson were all among the weekend scorers.
Phil's vacation report - takes in Lopburi stadium.
Phrae 4 wins from 4.
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Simon and Rob review the matches in weeks 2 and 3 of the new Thai League season.
And a quick look at the 68 teams in T3 this season.
Thursday evening's results in T2:
Pattaya United 2 Nakhon Si United 0
Rasisalai United 3 Sisaket United 3
Khon Kaen United 5 Bangkok FC 1
Thanks for listening.
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The talk is done - the hiring and firing is done - T2 teams will play the first of 34 league matches this weekend.
Good luck to all the players and staff -
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Our first look at seven of the teams competing in Thai League 2 this year.....we have some catching up to do next week.
Plus Phil's guide to how to watch the Thai League on your tv, computer, mobile device etc.
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Simon Causton joins Phil, Simon and Rob for our first look at the new T2 season - we also discuss his Thai football newsletter and upcoming podcast
https://footballsiam.substack.com/ .
Our thoughts on Pattaya replacing Lampang in the league and the Thai League allowing this to happen.
On a more positive news a big welcome to BYD.
First weekend's fixtures.
Phil's fabulous social media review.
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In a wonderful day for the club, its owners, players and supporters, Pattani FC beat North Bangkok University, 2-1, to claim the final place in T2 for next season.
Captain Marlon Silva scored all three goals (!!) - including an 80th minute penalty in front of 10,000 fans at the Rainbow Stadium.
Marlon was able to join Phil, Simon and Rob to discuss the club's success and its fabulous support - as well as his own six year career in Thailand. He also gives a thoughtful, wide-ranging and honest assessment of the state of Thai lower league football.
We also have Phil's fabulous social media round up.
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T3 finals - will it be young bucks or old stags who claim the final place in T2?
AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers come to Chiang Mai
Semi Pro League Final - Samui United v Banbueng City
It is not looking good for Nongbua Pitchaya....
Plus Phil's fabulous social media review....
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Songkhla and Rasisalai do just enough to earn promotion from the T3 playoff semi-finals.
The 3rd promotion place is up for grabs over the next two weekends.
We look at the early news from T2 clubs preparing for the new season....and are uplifted by Kanchanaburi's new partnership with Angel Bra Bra - so good they named it twice!
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Chanthaburi's season; waiting for the call-up; his T2 team of the year.
Since recording this episode on Thursday morning a social media post suggested that Tiago will join Trat next season - some more long distance commuting.
If he does go to Trat let's hope he can bring the good times back to the club and can lead the challenge for at least a play-off place.
Tiago is one of the good guys and we all wish him every success wherever he goes to next.
Rob: I did Simon a disservice - both he and Phil had Tiago in their 2024/2025 teams of the season. Apologies to Simon.
Tiago's T2 team of the season:
GK: Noppakun Kadtoon - Chonburi
Noppakun Kotchalayuk - Mahasarakham
Kwon DaeHee - Chonburi
Parinya Autapol - Kanchanaburi
Channon Tama - Chanthaburi
Ekkalarp Hanpanichkij - Phrae
Kitphom Bunsan - Ayutthaya
Channarong Promsrikaew - Chonburi
Mohamed Mara - Kanchanaburi
Caique Lemes - Ayutthaya
Vander Luis - Ayutthaya
Coach: Jugkrit Siriwattanasart - Ayutthaya
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Our T2 teams of the season,
From Simon 4-3-2-1
Anipong,
Thossapol,
Nukoolkit
Piyachanok,
Thammayut Tongkham,
Joo Chan Kim
Kiadtisak,
Pongrawit
Tiago Chulapa,
Maranhao
Adisak.
Coach: Wanderly, assisted by Samuel Cunningham and Fake David!
From Phil 4-4-2
Noppakun,
Tatsuhide Shimizu
Tanin Kiatlerttham
Kittipong Sansanit
Jirawat Janpong
Channarong
Pornpreecha
Assumpcao
Mara
Tiago Chulapa
Settawut
Coach Dusit Chalermsang
Rob: 3-4-1-2
Noppakun
Wellington Priori
Songchai Thongcham
Waradorn Un-Art
Charyl Chappuis
Channarong
Chaowat Veerachart
Chitsanaphong Phimsang
Mara,
Oege van Lingen
Adisak
Coach: Dusit Chalermsang
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