Football Tribe SEA Editor
The Thai League has been off to a flying start thus far with 44 goals from its opening 16 matches, and four sides have emerged on top with two wins from two. Teams are now gearing up for the first-midweek matchday of the campaign.
After two consecutive 4-1 home wins, Port have now travel to face Surapong Kongthep’s Sukhothai side. This exact fixture was Port’s first loss of the last campaign when the two sides met on matchday 5 and the hosts triumphed thanks to a brace from now-departed striker Petar Orlandic.
On paper, the Fire Bats are even more intimidating upfront this season, but things are yet to click for Surapong Kongthep’s men. Brazilian forward Ibson Melo is yet to register a goal for his new club, and the side are likely to take a while before they can replicate the excellent possession football ‘Coach Anh’ was able to showcase with Samut Prakan City last season. Regardless, when the side’s attacking trio of Ibson, Evandro, and Baggio can finally make things click, they will be a force in the league.
For now though, it is the visitors which have shown themselves to have the most attacking might in the division, with Heberty already netting three goals from his opening two games. The side’s depth is also a major plus when compared to last season, as striker Adisak Kraisorn managed to score from the bench in both of the side’s opening matches.
Ratchaburi have also won both of their opening two games, against Sukhothai and Trat respectively, but now host a newly energized Buriram United at the Mitr Phol Stadium. The visitors scored four without reply against Chonburi at the weekend, responding to their opening day defeat in style with an excellent display of free-flowing attacking football. The side already appears ready to push forward with far more intensity in hopes of bettering their result from last season, where they were beaten to the Thai League crown on goal difference by Chiangrai United.
The defending champions have fared less well this season, collecting two points from their opening two games while trying to balance their AFC Champions League commitments. Having played midweek fixtures before both of their last two matches, the grueling test of the side’s depth and energy is set to continue with a long trip to face Trat in today’s early match.
The league’s final ‘perfect’ side, Police Tero, are set to face the team which beat them to the T2 title last season. BG Pathum United looked lackluster in their 0-0 away draw against Prachuap and may have to struggle against a Tero side on with high confidence at the moment.
Elsewhere, Bangkok United could cement a similarly impressive start to the season as they look to register three wins from three. However, after opening the campaign with a draw and a loss, Samut Prakan City will be equally determined to get a win on the board. Masatada Ishii’s men have had a tough start against Port and Chiangrai thus far, but for all their discipline in midfield, they are yet to show any spark going forward.
Muangthong look to collect their first points of the season away against Rayong, who themselves have also lost both of their opening two fixtures, while Chonburi host Nakhon Ratchasima and Prachuap travel to face Suphanburi.