For the first time in a long, long time Thailand’s passionate home support was able to relax and enjoy themselves, as the Elephants recorded a seriously impressive 3-0 victory over Oman in the World Cup Qualifier.  
After years watching the national team underachieve, it seems like new German coach Winnie Schafer might finally be tapping into the true potential of the Thai squad. It helped that the visitors, Oman were rather woeful but perhaps equally important was the fact that the Elephants were finally able to take their chances. 

The Thai national team will be desperate to ensure their wonderfully spirited performance against Australia wasn't for nothing, when they take on Oman in their second World Cup Qualifier tonight. Last Friday, the Elephants did their country credit with a battling 2-1 loss away to the Socceroos in Brisbane. Thailand even managed to take a shock lead in the 15th minute, courtesy of Muangthong striker Teerasil Dangda, but despite some heroic defending, were unable to hold on.

There was no doubt that it was Muangthong who were the biggest winners this weekend as they moved into second place after a comfortable 3-1 win over struggling TOT. With Chonburi suffering a surprise 1-0 defeat to TTM Phichit and leaders Buriram PEA only managing a 1-1 draw with Pattaya United at the I-Mobile stadium that win sees the Kirins move to just six points of Buriram.

The big winner this weekend was Bangkok Glass, who managed a battling 2-1 victory over city-rivals Thai Port to close the gap on the top three in the TPL. Glass took the game to Port from the start taking the lead mid-way through the first half. To their credit the Port Lions did manage to pull level before half time but the sustained pressure of the Rabbits proved decisive, as they secured all three points courtesy of a 77th minute goal by Sarayuth Chaikamdee.

So the TPL stuttered back to life again this weekend and showed it has lost none of its ability to appeal, surprise and make us a laugh. In fact, all three attributes were in abundance at the PAT stadium where the match between Pattaya and Thai Port was meant to be played behind closed doors after crowd trouble between the two sets of fans. Those doors weren’t particularly well shut though, as despite the claims of other media outlets, there was a sizeable crowd on hand to see Pattaya perform a snatch and grab job and head back home with all three points. 

Just a quick reminder that Thailand face a tough task today, if they want to move one step closer to qualifying for the World Cup in Brazil in 2014. They are currently over in the West Bank preparing for the second leg of  their qualifying match against Palestine. Thailand lead 1-0 after the home tie in Buriram but it's going to be a tricky fixture, made even trickier by the fact that they will be playing on an artificial pitch in front of a fanatical crowd - remember this is only the third competitive fixture that Palestine have ever played at home.

It was a case of same old story for the Thai National team despite playing their first international match up at the swanky new I-Mobile stadium in Buriram. A number of missed chances, including a late penalty by Suchao Nutnum that hit the woodwork, mean Thailand now hold a slender 1-0 advantage over Palestine ahead of the second leg. That match is set to take place in the West Bank on Thursday and the Thais will face the added disadvantage of having to play on an artificial pitch.

As the transfer window looks set to swing shut, it is looking likely that one big-name foreign signing will be arriving in the TPL. The club is Muangthong United and the player is former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler. Several reliable sources claim that the unattached 36-year-old Liverpudlian will sign a four-month pay-as-you-play contract. Muangthong have recently got their hands burnt with foreign players Berkant Göktan and Toni Kallio but appear willing to risk losing face again for the chance of landing another big-name, big-money signing.