Thunder Castle handed tough ACL draw
Thai League 1 champions Buriram United have been handed a tough draw for the 2019 AFC Champions League.
The Thunder Castle will take on Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of South Korea and the second-ranked clubs from the top Chinese and Japanese leagues in Group G after a draw ceremony in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The other two teams from the Kingdom — Thai League 1 runnersup True Bangkok United and FA Cup winners Chiang Rai United — will have to qualify through play-offs to join the group stage.
Provided that Bangkok United get through their play-off 2 round against Vietnam’s Hanoi FC and China’s fourth club, they will be placed in Group E alongside Korea’s third club, Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’Zim and play-off 4 winners.
Chiang Rai will be in Group F with Chinese giants Guangzhou Evergrande, Korea’s second club and Australia’s Melbourne Victory if they can come through their play-off 3 round against Philippines’ Ceres Negros and Myanmar’s Yangon United and Japan’s third club.
The top two teams from eight groups of four teams (A-H) qualify for the last 16 knockout stage. The group stage competition will kick off in March.
KIRINS SIGN PHAIROJ
SCG Muang Thong United have appointed Ph airojBovornw at tan ad ilok as their new coach yesterday.
Phairoj, the former Suphanburi coach, has agreed to a one-year contract with an option to extend his term.
He has become the fifth Thai coach in the club’s history after Nopporn Aeksart, Surasak Tangsurat, Attaphol Bussapakom and Totchtawan Sripan.
“I would like to thank the board for giving me a chance to become Muang Thong coach,” said Phairoj during a press conference yesterday.
The Kirins also announced the signing of Mario Gjurovski, who will return to the club after spending the last three seasons at Bangkok Glass.
“It is a great feeling to be back at Muang Thong United again,” said former Macedonia international Gjurovski.
“I played my best football here. I would like to thank the board for trusting me and having faith in my football skills.
“I am fit and ready to play for the team and I hope to bring success to the team again.”
Muang Thong United’s team director Ronnarit Suewaja said he was confident that the new signings will bring back the glory days to the former Thai league champions.
“Phairoj is an experienced coach, but Muang Thong United will be the first big club for him,” said Ronnarit.
“He has a proven track record at some middle level clubs in Thai League 1 and I am sure he can help us improve.
“He can also help us develop new stars for the future so we are all looking forward to a better season next year.”
The Kirins finished a distant fourth behind arch-rivals and champions Buriram United, True Bangkok United and Port in Thai League 1 standings this year.