CHENROP SCRIPTS STUNNING FIGHT BACK FOR MUANG THONG
Reigning champions Buriram United and last year’s runners-up SCG Muang Thong United started their campaign for the 2018 Thai League 1 title with contrasting victories.
Buriram gave former Germany international Christian Ziege a rough initiation into the league as they handed his Ratchaburi Mitr Phol a 2-1 loss on Friday night.
Muang Thong were buoyed by a second half hat-trick by Chenrop Samphaodi to rally past True Bangkok United 3-2 last night.
Bangkok United looked dangerous at their home ground at Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus and had several chances to score.
A heavy presence of Muang Thong defenders proved ineffective as they failed to stop Sumanya Purisay from tapping the ball home at 27 minutes.
Seven minutes into the second half, Pokklaw Anan netted the second for Bangkok United with a sizzling long volley.
Chenrop, a second half replacement, picked up a loose ball to score on his league debut for the Kirins with an angular shot and followed it up with two more spectacular goals.
It took newly promoted Air Force Central less than a minute to find out what life would be like in the top flight as they went down 2-1 to Sukhothai in their first game of the season.
Air Force were on the receiving end in the first minute at their own Dhupatemiya Stadium when Nelson Bonilla gave Sukhothai the lead.
Leandro Assumpcao, a former Muang Thong player, restored order for the hosts Air Force by putting them on level footing shortly after the break.
But Bonilla was on target again in the 63rd minute to tilt the balance in Sukhothai’s favour and the visitors succeeded in holding on to the slim advantage until the end of the match.
Chiang Rai United, one of the leading contenders for this year’s league title, were off to a winning start at their home ground, where they edged Chonburi 1-0 last night thanks to Victor Cardozo’s firsthalf winner.
Earlier on Friday night, Buriram and Ratchaburi had a quiet first half as they squared off in the league’s curtain-raiser.
The Thunder Castle had a great five-minute spell after the hour mark when Jakkraphan Kaewprom and Brazilian striker Diogo Luis Santo gave them a solid 2-0 upper hand.
Ratchaburi picked up one midway through the second half when Buriram defender, Naruebodin Weerawatnodom fouled Sivarut Pholhiran in the penalty and Felipe Mendezes converted the resultant penalty.
Four more matches are to be played today with big-spending Port testing their title credentials against Pattaya United.