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. Earlier this year, the U23s lost 1-0 in Palestine in an Olympics qualifier and at this stage of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, Thailand just squeezed past similar opposition in the form of Yemen 1-0 – although on that occasion the second leg was in Bangkok. Schaefer is missing several key players including Teerathep Winothai and Sarayoot Chaikamdee but Thailand should have enough to get the job done in Buriram at least. Whether they can hold their nerve in the West Bank remains to be seen. (NBT 11/Channel 7, 6pm, Saturday).
Chelsea Cashing In
Ironically, the least competitive match this weekend will probably be the best attended. Chelsea FC are in town for a pre-season friendly. The opposition is provided by a TPL ‘All-Stars’ team. Of course, as the match falls between the two legs of the World Cup qualifier none of the top Thai players will be in action. On Monday just fifteen players turned up for the first All-Stars training session and on Wednesday the team lost 2-1 to Thai Port in a friendly. The most notable players in the squad include Chonburi’s Pipob Onmo and Therdsak Chaiman, Army United striker Leandro and PEA’s impressive Ghanaian frontman Franck Acheampong.
Of course, English Premier League teams visiting Thailand in their pre-season is nothing new and, despite their protestations to the contrary, we know why they come: to ‘promote their brand’ in the hope of winning over new fans/customers. But at least in the past the hosts managed to put out a decent team – often the full national side. In this case, the paucity of resources available to the All-Stars’ coaches has turned the team’s glamorous name into an irony and revealed the fixture for what it really is: an opportunity for one of the richest football clubs in the world to turn yet more people away from their own domestic league. Tickets are B500-3000 (yes, that’s right: the cheapest tickets are five-times more expensive than the average TPL ticket), Rajamangala Stadium, 5:45pm, Sunday.
Local League
Thanks but no thanks. Why not check out one of the eight fixtures in the Bangkok Division of the Regional League instead? They’re spread out over four days this weekend so there’s bound to be a game you can attend. First up is Assumption Thonburi against Thanyaburi United at The Pac Sports Center on Rama 2 in Bang Khun Thian on Friday at 6pm. On Saturday, Rajvithi host Chamchuri at the Regency Stadium in Khlong Chan (4pm); Kasetsart University are at home to Bangkok Christian (4pm) and Globex welcome Thai Fleet to the Ramkamhaeng University Stadium (5pm). On Sunday, Samut Prakan United are at home to Nonthaburi at the SAT Sports Center in Samut Prakan, and Luk Isaan host Kasem Bundit at Valayalongkorn University in Pathum Thani. Both matches are at 4pm. Finally, on Monday North Bangkok play NSRU at North Bangkok University (6pm).

Midweek Results
Just a few FA Cup matches were played on Wednesday. TOT beat Phuket 1-0 in their first game back at their Chaeng Wattana home ground in Lak Si. A derby match between Kasetsart and BBCU ended in a comfortable 3-0 win for the Pink Panthers, and Samut Prakan FC lost 3-0 at home to Chainat.