Pattaya United returned to Thai Premier League action last weekend but drew a blank on their away trip to the capital to face fourth placed Bangkok Glass. The game had to be moved to Muang Thong United’s Yamaha Stadium as Bangkok Glass’s own ground was affected by the flooding in Pathum Thani, and this gave a surreal atmosphere to the match as the majority of the stadium was empty with just pockets of United and Glass fans behind each goal.
Pattaya played some good football in the match against their higher placed opponents and should really have capitalized on the numerous chances that fell to their strike force of Ludovick and Paul Ekollo, but at the same time they were thankful that the woodwork came to their rescue twice in the second half as the ‘home’ team threatened to get on top.
A share of the points consolidates United’s position in the top half of the table and they will hope to carry their recent good form to the end of the season.
Chonburi kept alive their distant hopes of winning the title with a 1-0 victory at Samut Songkhram on Sunday but Buriram’s 6-1 hiding of Phichit still leaves Pattaya’s northern neighbours trailing the league leaders by 13 points with 9 games remaining.
Pattaya United’s next match is on Saturday, November 26 when they take on Insee Police United at the Suphanburi Stadium with kick-off scheduled for 6 p.m.
Siam Navy FC names new coach
Siam Navy Football Club has hired seasoned manager Somchai “Shuay” Chauyboonsoom to take over a team on the verge of relegation from the Thai Premier League.
Sakchai Tantirattiphong, managing director of the club said the decision to change managers came after another season of disappointing results that have the club on the verge of being dropped into the second tier. Somchai, a former U19 coach for the Thai national team, has the qualities to make the navy club a winner, he said.
Somchai takes over from previous coach Vorakorn “Auk” Vijarnarong, and said he will strive to change the players’ philosophy and repair any weak links in the squad. He added that his new assignment would be a challenge and would require getting the team to gel quickly and not make any mistakes. But he said he believes the team has enough talent to survive.
The new coach will face a stern first test Nov. 27 when Siam Navy take on league leaders Buriram PEA in Sattahip.
Thai Premier League Standings November 20
| Pos. | Team | P | W | D | L | +/- | Pts. |
| 1 | Buriram PEA | 25 | 19 | 5 | 1 | 39 | 62 |
| 2 | Muang Thong Utd | 23 | 15 | 5 | 3 | 25 | 50 |
| 3 | Chonburi | 25 | 14 | 7 | 4 | 24 | 49 |
| 4 | Bangkok Glass | 27 | 12 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 42 |
| 5 | BEC Tero Sasana | 26 | 12 | 3 | 11 | 6 | 39 |
| 6 | Pattaya United | 28 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 39 |
| 7 | Police United | 26 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 39 |
| 8 | Osotspa | 25 | 9 | 11 | 5 | 11 | 38 |
| 9 | Sisaket | 26 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 37 |
| 10 | Chiangrai United | 28 | 10 | 7 | 11 | -3 | 37 |
| 11 | Thai Port | 26 | 9 | 6 | 11 | -4 | 33 |
| 12 | TTM Phichit | 26 | 8 | 6 | 12 | -14 | 30 |
| 13 | Army United | 26 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 29 |
| 14 | Samut Songkhram | 27 | 6 | 10 | 11 | -13 | 28 |
| 15 | TOT | 27 | 8 | 1 | 18 | -28 | 25 |
| 16 | Siam Navy | 27 | 6 | 5 | 16 | -23 | 23 |
| 17 | Sriracha | 25 | 5 | 7 | 13 | -11 | 22 |
| 18 | Khon Kaen | 27 | 5 | 7 | 15 | -24 | 22 |
| Results: Khon Kaen 1-1 Osotspa, Bangkok Glass 0-0 Pattaya United, Samut Songkhram 0-1 Chonburi, Buriram PEA 6-1 TTM Phichit. | |||||||
