Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Thai Teams Impress In Champions League Qualifiers
Thailand showed why at least some of its clubs are streets
ahead of anything else in the region with a couple of convincing results in the
AFC Champions League Qualifying Round at the weekend.
Former England international Jay Bothroyd was on the score
sheet for Muang Thong United as they overcame T & T Hanoi 2-0 while
Chonburi defeated South China 3-0.
Muang Thong’s reward is a trip to Melbourne this weekend to
take on Victory while Chonburi head north east to face Beijing Guoan in the
next stage of the play offs.
After having home ground advantage against teams from
Vietnam and Hong Kong, the Thais now face long trips abroad if they are to have
a chance of reaching the group stage of the Champions League where Buriram
United have already qualified.
In more news from Thailand, Spanish side Almeria announced
they will be taking Muang Thong United striker Teerasil Dangda on loan next
season. This will be his third fourth time abroad after trials with Athletico
Madrid and Manchester City and a stint with Grasshoppers Zurich.
Obviously a talented player, Teerasil will be 26 when he
moves to Spain and he will probably be aware this could be his last chance of
making an impression overseas and certainly a low key club like Almeria,
currently facing relegation, would offer the perfect opportunity to make an
impression.
Johor Darul Takzim are never far from the headlines in
Malaysia. They travelled to Malaysia Cup winners Pahang on Friday night and
were involved in an enthralling game in front of another sell out crowd in
Kuantan on the east coast of the peninsula.
Hafiz Kamal won the game for the home team in injury time,
giving them a 3-2 win and leaving big spending JDT just one point off bottom
place.
Former Argentine international Pablo Aimar, who has been
reported as unhappy in local media, netted for JDT as did former Arema striker
Safee Sali.
After the game, Pakistan international and former Fulham and
Queens Park Rangers defender Zesh Rehman said the game was a good one for the
fans.
‘For the
players we felt a little disappointed as we were leading twice and lost
concentration to allow them back in the game. Sometimes in football you have to
grind out a victory and fighting spirit. The character was brilliant from our
lads,’ he said.
Following
their first Malaysia Cup success in more than 20 years, hopes are high in
Pahang they can kick on to another level this season and Rehman has been
pleased with the start to the campaign.
‘We are
satisfied with the start. 3 points off top spot and in the quarter final of The
FA Cup. I believe we get stronger once we have everyone back from injury. We
will always create and score goals so that’s a major positive point.’
Rehamn,
who was the first Asian footballer to play in the English Premier League, has been
playing in Asia since 2011 when he signed for Muang Thong United. After two
years in Thailand he moved to Kitchee in Hong Kong before heading to Malaysia
for the current campaign. And so far, he has been impressed by what he has seen
in Malaysia.
‘From
what I have seen so far the league is very even, everyone is capable of beating
everyone at any venue which makes the league standings unpredictable and
exciting. The level here is good and the support from the fans to their teams
is up there amongst the most passionate in the Asean region.’
In the
other game played on Friday night, PKNS were defeated by Sarawak 2-0 with goals
from Milorad Janjus and Gabor Gyepes.
Former
Indonesian international Hamkah Hamza has been linked with a recall in the
local media recently but he had a mixed game against a big, strong Sarawak
team, coached by former Arema coach Robert Alberts, who certainly played to
their strengths.
Much was
expected of PKNS this season and especially their strike force of Karlo
Primorac and Patrick Wleh. However, Promorac looked out of sorts while Liberian
international Wleh has this Nwanko Kanu quality about him; you’re never quite sure
what he is going to do next.
With PKNS
chasing the game, Hamkah pushed on to form a three man strike force but Sarawak
saw the game to move into fourth place.
On
Saturday night, Selangor defeated Sime Darby, two goals from Paulo Rangel, to
move two points clear of a very congested table where just six points separate
the 12 teams after four rounds. Champions LionsXII were held 0-0 by Terengganu
in a disappointing game at Jalan Besar Stadium and have just one win from their
opening four games.
SOURCE - My Jakarta Globe column...wonder if it appears online?
# posted by Me @ 8:33 AM 
