It was a tumultuous weekend of action in the last round of matches before the mid-season break. Results on the field were overshadowed by the news that seven fans of Chiang Rai FC had died in a bus accident on the way to watch their team take on Buriram PEA on Saturday.
News of the crash led to a minute’s silence before the game (and at games around the TPL this weekend) and obviously overshadowed what should have been a day of celebration for the runaway leaders of the TPL. Buriram were playing the first game in their newly completed I-Mobile stadium and it was a case of business as usual on the pitch as 24,000 fans (and owner Newin Chidchob) were treated to a classy performance by PEA who strolled to a very comfortable 5-0 win.
It maintains their stranglehold over the league, a grip that tightened further on Sunday as closest rivals Chonburi FC went down 2-0 to third place Bangkok Glass. It means Buriram are now 10 points clear at the half way stage of the season. The home win for the Rabbits was the latest in a string of impressive performances that has left them just one point behind Chonburi after an indifferent start to the season.
There was high emotion elsewhere in the capital on Saturday as Thai Port said goodbye to their manager Sasom Pobprasert, who is now off to take over first division Buriram FC, with a 3-0 win over lowly Khon Kaen FC. It was a scrappy game but the right result for the Port Lions as they rounded off a convincing win with a well taken third goal by Ekkachai Sumrei before the fans showed their appreciation for all that Sasom has achieved at the club with a mini-fireworks display and a rousing sing along. It will be interesting to see exactly which players do head north with Sasom and the obvious effect that has on the rest of Port’s season. We’ll have an interview with Sasom focusing on the reasons for his move on this blog later in the week.
Muang Thong United continued their good run with a 2-0 win against Pattaya United at the Yamaha Stadium to remain in fourth spot, while Insee Police United continue to free-fall after a bright start to the season going down 2-0 away to Osotspa M-150 Saraburi. It was better news for BEC Tero who parted company with their English coach Peter Butler last week as they ended a terrible run of form with an away win at TOT SC 3-1, while Army United managed to record a 1-0 away win against SCG Samut Songkhram.
In the other games Siam Navy lost to Sri Racha 1-0 and Sisaket FC drew 2-2 with Pichet. For a full table please click here.