Three sides in last-ditch fight for T1 survival
Rabbits, Sukhothai, Chainat’s fate in balance
>> When the curtain falls on Thai League 1 tonight, one of the three top-flight clubs — Bangkok Glass, Sukhothai or Chainat — will be packing their bags for a year-long stay in the second tier.
A Football Association of Thailand (FAT) decision to reduce the total of clubs in the top division from 18 to 16 starting next season increased the number of teams to be relegated from three to five this year.
Former giants Police Tero, Navy, Ubon UMT United and Air Force Central have already been demoted.
Buriram United were confirmed as champions for a record sixth time with three games to spare two weeks ago.
Bangkok United have already sewn up second spot to earn a place in next year’s AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs. The Thunder Castle make it to the group stage of the Asia’s top club event automatically.
Bangkok Glass, who spent most of the first half of the league in the red zone, need a draw at home when they entertain Nakhon Ratchasima for their last game of the season.
However, Bangkok Glass coach Anurak Srikerd promised an all-out effort to win the game.
“It won’t be an easy game against Nakhon Ratchasima as they are a good team. Although a draw will secure our place in Thai League 1, we must try to get three points. We will be playing in front of our home crowd,” said Anurak.
Of the three sides threatened with relegation, Chainat have the toughest task and the slimmest chance of surviving in the top tier.
Unlike Bangkok Glass and Sukhothai, they will be playing away, needing a win over seventhranked Suphanburi.
Their chances of making the cut would also heavily depend on bottomplaced Air Force avoiding a defeat at Sukhothai. Air Force, the first team to be relegated this year, have lost 25 of the 33 games they have played so far in the top flight.
Chainat manager Anirut Nakasai said: “We have several key players either injured or suspended, but this an important match for us.
“We are in the relegation zone and, compared to the other teams, have the least chance of surviving — we are 80-90 percent there in the second division already. But we will put up a fight as we want to win our last game in the top flight. Let’s see what happens on the last day.”
Suphanburi assistant coach Sathaporn Wajakhum said his team were also facing problems with players’ fitness.
“Many of our players are tired from playing so many matches continuously and some of them, including defenders Wasant Homsaen and Natthaphong Samana and midfielder Thanasit Siriphala, are injured,” said Sathaporn.
Sukhothai, who are only one point ahead of Chainat, are not willing to take anything for granted against Air Force at their Thung Thalay Luang Stadium tonight.
Sukhothai coach Chalermwut Sangarpol said: “Although we will play against Air Force, we will not underestimate them. We will have to play at our best and we must get three points at our home ground.
“We are targeting a win in this match. We don’t want to leave anything to chance.”