Thai League back after international break
Muang Thong host Thai Honda, Buriram clash with Sukhothai as league battles resume
>> Defending champions SCG Muang Thong United today resume their bid to overcome a six-point deficit and catch up with leaders Buriram United in the race for this year’s Thai League 1 crown.
The Kirins, fretting over a long list of injured stars, kick off the five-match final stretch of the league with an easy assignment as they host relegation contenders Thai Honda.
Buriram United, stunned 2-0 on Wednesday by Muang Thong United in the League Cup quarterfinals, are also at home this evening, facing Sukhothai.
Muang Thong coach Totchtawan Sripan said: “We may have to rotate our players for the match against Thai Honda.
“It’s a tough phase for us as we have to play in the league, FA Cup and League Cup matches. Moreover, a number of our players are members of the national team.”
Several Muang Thong stars played two games for the national teams earlier this month including striker Teerasil Dangda.
Totchtawan said: “We need to check the fitness of Teerasil. He is not fully fit. He came on as a substitute during the League Cup match against Buriram but couldn’t play to his potential.
“Right-back Tristan Do is not available and is likely to miss several matches due to an injury.
“Leandro Assumpcao also picked up an injury during the game against Buriram, but luckily it isn’t a serious one.
“We are considering resting our key players because we have some important matches coming up. We will play PTT Rayong in the FA Cup quarterfinals next Wednesday.”
Totchtawan said he was encouraged by midfielder Sarach Yooyen’s return from a long-term injury lay-off.
“He played in the League Cup game after more than six months on the sidelines. He got going quickly because he understands the tactics and performed very well,” he said.
He added: “We are aiming to pick up three points from the match against Thai Honda. We have to settle an old score. We lost to them in the first leg and that result made us fall six points behind Buriram.
“We have five matches left and we can still retain the title. But we must not let anymore points slip.”
Meanwhile, Buriram have no plans to show any mercy to Sukhothai in their home game this evening.
“We lost in the League Cup quarter-finals to Muang Thong and the result disappointed our players,” said Thunder Castle manager Tatthep Pitakpoolsin.
“The players have been to told to forget the previous match and look ahead. We must win the match against Sukhothai. We need to claim three points from the match to move closer to the Thai League 1 title.”
No matches are scheduled to be played tomorrow.
FIXTURES
Today
5.45pm — Muang Thong v Thai Honda; Ratchaburi v Suphanburi
6pm — Bangkok Glass v Police Tero; Chiang Rai v Chonburi; Port v Nakhon Ratchasima
7pm — Buriram Utd v Sukhothai; Si Sa Ket v Bangkok Utd
8pm — Super Power v Navy; Ubon UMT v Pattaya Utd