Monday, May 30, 2011
Thailand's Relegation Battle
With the TPL long destined for Buriram PEA time to look at the relegation struggle in Thailand.
Good news for Thai Port fans as back to back home wins have seen them climb away from the drop zone. I wonder if the six goals in those two games were linked by any chance to salaries getting paid? But they won't be breathing any easier there because a record of five wins, five draws and five defeats with 16 goals scored and conceded by look a mathematician's wet dream but coach Sasom, whether he stays or leaves, won't be fooled.
Goals are at a premium down there with seven out of the bottom eight averaging less than a goal a game, Chiang Rai United being the only exception thanks in no small measure to Wasan Natasan, the second top scorer in the TPL who has hit nine of their 17 goals.
Talking new boys newly promoted Sri Racha are bottom while fellow newbies Khon Kaen are second bottom separated by Raj, or is it Siam, Navy.
We should never make assumptions in the whacky world of South East Asian football but let's have a laugh and assume three teams will get relegated this year from the TPL which, apparently, ends on Christmas Day.
These then are the teams in those slots
16 - Khon Kaen 15 3 3 9 14-30 12
17 - Raj Navy 15 2 5 8 11-28 11
18 - Sri Racha 15 2 4 9 10-21 10
Bottom club Sri Racha's next two games they will think are winnable, at home to 15th placed TTM Phichet, without a win away from home all season and just one point from their travels, before they make the short journey to take on Raj Navy in the last game before the mid season break.
Khon Kaen have a tougher couple of games with 4th placed Bangkok Glass at home before ending away to a resurgent Thai Port.
Things are so tight down that end of the table, Thai Port's climb based on back to back wins will give everyone hope they can emulate that feat. But be sure that come the transfer window all the strugglers will be looking for that striker whose goals, like Wasan up north, can just keep their heads out of the dreaded relegation places.
Either that or hope someone somewhere unilaterally decides to do without relegation this year...on purely football terms you understand!
# posted by Me @ 1:26 PM 
