The Thai National team might have been hoping for a slightly easier draw in the first group stage of 2014 World Cup Qualifying after their heroic 2-2 draw with Palestine last week. Instead Winnie Schaefer’s men find themselves in a group alongside the mighty Australia, as well former-giants Saudia Arabia, and fellow Gulf State, Oman. It’s going to be a tough task to advance with only the top two teams guaranteed a place in the next round. Nevertheless, the home match with Australia is a mouth-watering prospect at a potentially sold-out Rajamangala Stadium.

Well, OK, Thailand might not have won but their 2-2 draw was enough for the Elephants to make it through their World Cup Qualifying second round tie against Palestine in the West Bank. Winnie Schaefer’s men went into the second leg with a slender 1-0 lead after the first leg in Buriram, but that lead was wiped out after just a couple of minutes as Murad Alyan put the hosts right back in contention. Credit to Thailand, though; they held their nerve in the bearpit-like atmosphere to equalize on 33 minutes through Datsakorn Thonglao.

Though some would argue differently the really big match this weekend takes place at the new i-Mobile Stadium in Buriram when Thailand host Palestine in the second round, first leg of 2014 World Cup qualifying. It’s the first competitive match for new head coach Winnie Schaefer. A win, preferably by at least a two-goal margin, is crucial as the Elephants have to play the second leg in Palestine next Thursday, and historically they really don’t travel well.

Still no TPL or Division 1 action (and TPL Chief Dr Vichit said this week that the restart of the season may well be pushed back another week to the first weekend of August. League Cup 2nd leg fixtures have already been moved to August 3rd) so just one FA Cup match for fans in the capital, but a whole programme of Regional League fixtures as usual. In the cup, on Sunday – and we admit it just barely qualifies as a Bangkok and vicinity club – Rajpracha of Division 1 welcome Sisaket of the TPL to Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom (3.30pm).

As the Thai Premier League takes an extended break, we decided to take a look at some alternative footy action courtesy of the Bangkok & Vicinity Division of the Regional League. With games either free or as little as B20, the Regional League offers an affordable and regular alternative to the TPL and Division 1. No long breaks here: matches are played every weekend and quite often on Friday and Monday nights too.

All games start at 6pm

Newin Gets His Way

The FA and League Cup dominated this weeks headlines as the TPL mid-season break continues.
League Cup Round-up

Muangthong United

Worawi Makudi has moved quickly after his re-election as FAT president to fill the vacant national team manager’s job. Despite plenty of debate the top job end up going to Winfried Schaefer, the German tactician best known for leading Cameroon to the 2002 World Cup.