Port face big challenge against Buriram
Port interim coach Matt Holland admitted that today’s Thai League 1 match against leaders Buriram United is a big challenge for his struggling side.
The Englishman took charge of Port for the first time in midweek when the team suffered a shock loss to Thai League 3 club Samut Songkhran in the League Cup last-32 round.
He was named interim boss of the team this week after Scott Cooper left the club by “mutual consent” following a bad spell.
“I will try to prepare the team well for the game [against Buriram],” said Holland. “It is a big and important match for us. Everybody is eager to play in such a big game. It will be a big challenge for us.
“It will be a different game from the League Cup match which we lost to a third-tier team.
“We have to quickly regain our fitness and confidence. We must not make mistakes against Buriram, if we want to win the match.”
Port defenders could face a daunting task in handling Buriram’s in-form forwards Supachai Chaided and Goran Causic who each has scored nine league goals.
Port striker Hamilton Soarez has also been on target nine times.
After 13 games, Port are in fifth place on 22 points, 11 behind pacesetters Buriram.
GAMA RETURNS TO T1
Thai League 1 bottom club Lamphun Warriors have appointed Alexandre Gama as their new coach.
The 54-year-old Brazilian is one of the most successful coaches in Thai League 1 history.
He won two Thai League 1, one League Cup and one FA Cup titles with Buriram.
He also helped Chiang Rai United win the FA Cup twice and the League Cup once.
Gama also coached Muang Thong and had a brief spell as boss of the Thai U23 side.
Gama had an unsuccessful stint at South Korean club Daegu and left them in August.
The Brazilian has a good chance to stop the rot in his first game in charge of Lamphun as they face second bottom side Lampang tomorrow.
FIXTURES Today
6pm — Bangkok United v Prachuap 6.30pm — Chiang Rai v Muang Thong 7pm — Sukhothai v Nongbua 7.30pm – Port v Buriram
Tomorrow
5.30pm — Nakhon Ratchasima v Choburi
6pm — Lampang v Lamphun; Khon Kaen v Police Tero 7pm — Ratchaburi v Pathum