Sharks pile more misery on Chiang Rai
League leaders Muang Thong celebrate injured midfielder Sarach’s quick return to light training
>> Big-spending Chiang Rai United’s woes continued when they lost 3-1 at Chonburi in a Thai League 1 clash on Friday night.
Brazilian forward Renan Marques scored twice as the Sharks rallied from an early deficit to beat the Beetles.
Brazilian midfielder Felipe Azevedo’s 15th minute penalty gave the visitors the lead.
Chiang Rai squandered several chances and were punished in the 50th minute when Ivorian forward Fode Diakite equalised with a tap-in.
Chiang Rai were still the better side until Renan made it 2-1 for the hosts after 73 minutes.
Five minutes later, Chiang Rai substitute Path om pol Charoenrattanapirom had only Chanin Sae-ear to beat but saw his close-range strike saved by the Chonburi goalkeeper.
Chonburi were awarded another penalty six minutes from time and Renan made no mistake from the spot.
Chiang Rai remained third on 27 points, seven behind leaders SCG Muang Thong United, who travel to lowly Thai Honda today.
After a poor start to the season, Chonburi now have 25 points.
On paper, Muang Thong should beat newcomers Thai Honda.
In another match today, Super Power Samut Prakan will be trying to add to their single-point tally after 13 matches when they visit Navy.
But it will be a difficult task for Super Power to get a point. They have lost all their seven away games, scoring three goals and conceding 23.
Meanwhile, Muang Thong midfielder Sarach Yooyen has begun training after a long injury lay-off.
The Thailand international had light training yesterday after recovering from a broken ankle suffered three months ago.
It was initially feared that the 24-year-old would miss the rest of the season but is now expected to return to action soon for the Thai League 1 leaders.
In another development, Kawasaki Frontale officials said they have sent a letter to the Asian Football Confederation, seeking an explanation on why it punished the club after their fans raised a controversial wartime Japanese flag during a recent AFC Champions League match in South Korea.
Depending on the AFC’s response, the Japanese side, who will meet Muang Thong in the ACL last-16 round, said they will consider the next steps to take, including possibly filing an objection to the US$15,000 fine and one-year probation handed down on May 4.
If the flag reappears during their probationary period, Kawasaki will automatically be forced to play one game in front of an empty stadium and be subject to more severe punishment, according to the AFC, whose disciplinary committee found Frontale guilty on charges of discrimination and spectator misconduct.
Two Kawasaki supporters waved the 16-ray rising sun flag in the team’s 1-0 win at Suwon Bluewings on April 25, nearly provoking a post-game riot.
Kawasaki officials confiscated the flag from the fans and had to escort other supporters out of the stadium.
While Frontale maintain that the flag carries no political or discriminatory intent, they have called on supporters not to fly the flag during ACL games.
The flag was used by the Imperial Japanese Army until the end of World War II. Although it is still flown by the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force, the flag is considered a symbol of Japan’s wartime aggression in many Asian countries, including South Korea and China.