Division 2:

BSL Masters hosted FC Pattaya this Saturday and the game had everything: 6 goals, a missed penalty, a couple of yellow cards, one red, strong language and stronger tackles. There was even some flowing football. The Masters walked off considerably more pleased at the 5-1 score line and their first points of the season.

On Sunday, the Pickled Liver and Samitivej Hospital (SH) had the pleasure of a 1pm kick-off. In the heat of the day, the Pickles wilted, going 3-0 down to a rampant Samitivej side. The Pickles were very unhappy about the lack of offside calls for a couple of the goals and even unhappier about Samitivej not having enough eligible players. A fact that led to the eventual official overturning of the score line. The Livers did get two goals back and whilst the game ended 3-2, it’ll go in the record books as a 3-0 win to the Pickled Liver.

The match between BSL Youth and Siam Celtic followed. In terms of economic might, the Celtic Tiger may be little more than a purring fat tabby cat these days but in terms of Div 2 football, the Siam Celtic are roaring. And effing and blinding. The Celts put on a strong display with some deft wing play from their Thai players and good finishing which saw them score three goals to the BSL Youth’s one. The Youth were out-muscled but not out-classed and deserved their consolation goal which was a well taken free-kick by Richie Wise. The Youth would probably kick themselves for some of the missed opportunities they had but they were too busy worrying about the opposition applying that punishment.

The upset of the day was in the game between BU Japan (BUJ) and Bangkok Storm (BST). The Japanese appeared to be struck with some form of communal torpor, never showing the sustained speed and agility that was on evidence in their opening match. The BST, by contrast, grew in confidence as the game went on and took a deserved 1-0 lead in the first half. In the second half, the Japanese pressed for an equalizer and made good inroads down the flanks. However, the crossing at times was poor and the opportunity to equalize never really materialized. BST had several (very!) quick breaks but an alert goalkeeper kept them at bay. 1-0 the final score and that’s a big boost for BST.

Robin Hood and iPlay went toe-to toe in their game on Sunday with the RH managing to land three sucker punches. Two goals in the first half and one in the second. The IPL side, somewhat dazed and confused will shake their heads and wonder how that happened. On reflection they will probably put it down to half the squad not knowing each other. A rebuilding process is underway for IPL and the RH can be satisfied about their good team effort.

So, we look forward to the coming weekend when two of the new two teams face off. Saturday sees Samitivej play FC Pattaya with both teams fighting to get off the foot of the table. On Sunday, there’s potentially three close games. In the first, BSL Youth will look to bounce back against Robin Hood. BU Japan take on iPlay and a lot will depend on whether the Japanese come to life in this game and whether the new boys at IPL can start to gel. In the final game of the weekend, BSL Masters face a tricky game against the Storm. Both teams will want to build on last week’s wins. League leaders Siam Celtic and perennial battlers, Pickled Liver have a week off.

Wk 3 Predictions v Actual
FCP 1 – 2 MAS (1 - 5)
PIC 3 – 1 SAM (3 - 0)
BSL 1 – 2 CEL (1 – 3)
BST 1 - 2 BUN (1 - 0)
IPL 3 – 2 ROB (0 – 3)
[Verdict = lucky first attempt]
[GE]

Division 1:

[BZM]