Udon Thani FC - The 2013-season

Post by **Svein66** » September 2, 2013, 8:47 am

Brian Davis wrote:If the fixture list holds good, (I thought there was a rule that the last two games had to be played on the same day?)I see Ubon are due to play next Saturday, Udon on Sunday. So Udon should be aware how significant the game v Loei is.

Svein - do you know how the teams in the two groups of the 'Regional Champions League' is decided?

It`s only the last round that has to be played at the same time.

I don`t have a confirmation yet, but I think they will draw 3 winners and 3 runners-up in each of the 2 groups, and teams from the same league won`t be drawn in the same group, so we won`t get Roi Et.

There are so far 6 teams sure of a place in the play-off (+ Udon if decided on nmber of wins):
1: Roi Et United
2: Paknampho NSRU
3: Nakhon Nayok
4: Chiang Mai
5: Ang Thong
6: Nara United

Post by **phen** » September 2, 2013, 9:16 am

Svein thanks again for the update.
First we can look relaxed at the next two games.
What are the rules for yellow/red cards before the play offs start?

Post by **Polleke** » September 2, 2013, 4:56 pm

Members will know I'm all for 'being there', but there's no guarantee on the game you'll see, or how your team will play. For those who did travel the considerable distance, well done, I hope you had a good time, but having watched on tv, I'm rather glad I stayed at home.

I made the trip to Ubon, joining the Giant Warriors (UDFC Fan Club) by bus. One of the two busses got a flat tire on the way to Ubon, so we arrived just 30 minutes before the match. Ubon had selected a far away stand behind one of the goals for us, but this mistake was settled quickly by friendly negotiations, so we were allowed to watch the game from a slightly better position.

Of course you hope to see a great game and a few goals (Pouya!), but my main reason to join the Giant Warriors yesterday was the importance of this game. This did not lead to a brilliant play, but it did translate in a great atmosphere. About 200 UDFC fans did not stop to cheer and show their support. Note: you have to love it that they even brought their own beer truck all the way from Udon to the Ubon stadium, to keep all those throats in proper cheering condition. High on emotions, both during and after the game, when the Ubon players realised that it was all over for this season, while the UDFC team celebrated the virtual spot in the play-offs with all the fans on the pitch.

Big party also on the way back in the bus. For about an hour both desks were dancing and singing, after that those on the upper deck slept while a few hard core fans on the lower deck continued to sing without support of the giant sound system.

A well organised trip, a great way to bond with the fans and due to the results also a cheerful celebration.
I'm looking forward to the play offs....

Post by **Brian Davis** » September 2, 2013, 5:47 pm

Glad you enjoyed yourself, Polleke - and made it just in time. (Buses! - see separate topic.

) I can recall spending hours on one of four special trains from London to Sunderland for an FA Cup game, only to arrive 30 mins after kick-off. Thank you so much British Rail !!!

I've commented elsewhere that win, draw or lose, Thai fans appear to have the desire that nothing spoils a party. And perhaps they knew the ruling on the 'head to head' issue as Svein's earlier post, so the game had even greater significance, if Udon didn't lose. Pleased to read that the fans were really 'in touch' with the game and what was happening on the pitch. Just sometimes, I get the feeling that the noise-making and partying bears no relation.

A couple of farangs were 'caught' on camera during the SMMTV coverage. Perhaps yourself?

Supposing that Udon are definitely in second spot, deservedly and reason to celebrate, I guess it's slightly disappointing that alone doesn't earn promotion. Now we have the nail-biting of the Regional Champions League. I thinkRoi Et were there last year too and got nowhere. And it seems crazy that there's a total of 84 Clubs in the Div 2 Regional Leagues chasing just four promotion places to Div 1. A case for another Div 1 league?

Post by **Polleke** » September 2, 2013, 6:31 pm

According to CC Jon I've been spotted on SMMTV, but I've not seen any TV latterly. In total 3 foreigners cheering UDFC yesterday. I expect a few more during the last 2 regular competition matches in Udon.

All I'm looking forward to is an extended season, nail biting or not. It has been a fun season here in Udon until now, including some good performances in the League Cup.

To be honest, I think UDFC would perform quite well in the first division. Last week I saw Singhtarua-Khon Kaen at PAT Stadium and that level is not out of reach. It would also be a great boost for the club, which is getting more professional and seems to be able to count on a loyal and steady growing fan base here in town.

Post by **grievous** » September 2, 2013, 7:06 pm

I'd like to say thank you for all the posts regarding UDFC. I'm yet to see a live game, however I have been following the club through your posts . I'm looking forward to watching the team live when I get to spend some more time in Udon.

cheers guys

Post by **Svein66** » September 2, 2013, 7:16 pm

Brian Davis wrote:Now we have the nail-biting of the Regional Champions League. I thinkRoi Et were there last year too and got nowhere. And it seems crazy that there's a total of 84 Clubs in the Div 2 Regional Leagues chasing just four promotion places to Div 1. A case for another Div 1 league?

You have to go the other way, Brian. Thailand need a Division 3. I think there should be 3 or 4 leagues in Division 2 and the same in Division 3. Too many teams in Division 2 has been discussed a few times by farangs following thaifootball in the last few years, but I have no idea if Thai FA are even thinking about it.

Both Roi Et and Sisaket was there last season, and both looked like getting promotion until the last couple of games where they had some really poor results. To me it almost looked like they didn`t want to get promoted. The level on the pitch might not be very different in Division 1 than Division 2, as Polleke is saying, but the clubs need a lot more money to play there. Many of the travels has to be by airplane and having up to 2 nights in hotel. There is also 2 more away games than they have in Division 2. Also the players wages are higher.

As Polleke, I`m also looking forward to the extended season. If they don`t get promoted, then maybe they will next season, but for me personally I`m happy just to get the extended season, as it gives me something more to enjoy while living in Udon.
Anyway, it will be good for them to see what it`s all about, and hopefully they will learn something from these 10 games, both on and off the pitch.

I will try to answer questions from phen and others about the play-offs when I get to know the answers. Has to get them from "professional" farangs who knows a lot more than me...

By the way, it will be Roi Et`s 3rd play-off in a row, and Chiang Mai`s 3rd in 4 years...

Post by **tkvicksson** » September 2, 2013, 11:05 pm

Is there any chance they will still be playing when I arrive on the 14th of November?

Post by **Svein66** » September 3, 2013, 9:42 am

tkvicksson wrote:Is there any chance they will still be playing when I arrive on the 14th of November?

They will be playing until Christmas...

Post by **Brian Davis** » September 5, 2013, 6:49 am

Has anyone any definite news on this 'head to head' ruling? Surely it's essential to know how things stand before this weekend's fixtures?
I wrote to a contact at the Thai League Football website, but no direct reply yet. However, an informative article has appeared http://thaileaguefootball.com/articles/ ... eague.html which includes
" Confusion reigns as to whether the North-East Giants have already qualified but this weekend, Udon Thani can seal their place with certainty with a point at home to Loei City while the Tigers travel to Sisaket United."

Incidentally, I had a German relative (oh, the embarrassment

) accompanying me to recent games. He's a real football nut, Stuttgart particularly. He recalled a similar situation in Germany years back and, yes, a team was awarded the points, but not the head to head.

As an aside, it's some relief the relative is en route home. He seemed in serious danger of exploding over his dislike of No. 17, who he thought, politely putting it, was immobile. Oh well, we all view things differently.

Post by **Svein66** » September 5, 2013, 9:42 am

Brian, I think we can only say this is Thailand...

TLF sent me a link on twitter where a RL-"guy" said head-to-head counts, but either the "guy" or link mentioned Udon or anything about the "situation" with the awarded win. I then posted the link on Facebook in the Giant Gangster-group and the admin of the official UDFC-page answered that the awarded win do NOT count.

Anyway, we need a point to qualify as it looks like goaldifference are number 2 after h-2-h, not number of wins as previous years. Or we can lose both games and still qualify if Ubon don`t win both their games. But if h-2-h do not count and we lose both games, we still have 15 goals to lose to Ubon...

Let`s hope for a record attendance on Sunday and a UDFC-win to get the fans "crazy"...

Post by **Svein66** » September 5, 2013, 9:05 pm

Confirmation of next game. They say they need 1 more point, but that doesn`t make it clearer about head-2-head, only that number of wins to decide if same points are out.

Post by **Brian Davis** » September 6, 2013, 5:48 am

What a muddle and I don't think we can put it down entirely to the language problem.

Well, the query will go away if Ubon don't win their game tomorrow. Otherwise, if Ubon do win, I think before Sunday's Udon game, I'll attempt to ask an official of the situation, because I'd really like to know whether there's something at stake in the Loei game.

My worst fear, of course, is that head to head counts, Ubon win, Udon lose this weekend - then we go to next week when Udon entertain Roi Et, who have only lost twice all season, whilst Ubon will certainly be fired up for their last home game. An opportunity for some dodgy goings-on?

Hopefully, an unlikely scenario, but after all the celebrating, it just could be red faces everywhere.

Post by **pienmash** » September 6, 2013, 8:22 am

Tizz the norm here with stuff like this ,,,, the rules are cloudy ref the head to head due to the floodlight failure and how that result or rather non result will be tallied ,,, reeks of a fiddle to me , always leaving the door slightly ajar so some one will need paying off ,,, before "an official" of the TFL can decide .... this crap happens all the time in every walk of life here and its a real shame its now so common in sport as well as other bodies who call the shots (excuse the pun)

MASH

Post by **Svein66** » September 7, 2013, 7:58 pm

A good day for Look E-San FC today as they became the 7th club to qualify for the Regional Champions League this season.

Oh, and I almost forgot. Udon Thani FC became the 8th club to qualify after Sisaket United beat Ubon UMT 2-1 today!!

But don`t forget to come celebrate tomorrow at 6pm: UDFC vs Loei City

Post by **Polleke** » September 7, 2013, 8:37 pm

But don`t forget to come celebrate tomorrow at 6pm: UDFC vs Loei City

We will be there. Cheers!
10 more weeks of football in Udon, love it.

Post by **Svein66** » September 8, 2013, 10:31 pm

Another good win for UDFC this evening, 2-1 vs Loei City. I think it was a good and entertaining game, but Udon was a bit lucky to win as Loei had some very big chances in the 2nd half, but only good goalkeeping and poor finishing stopped them from scoring more than the one they got. Also Udon`s winner was a bit lucky, but a goal is a goal...

3451 people was at the game, and that`s a club record, I think. It`s the highest this season anyway.

9 teams are so far qualified for the Regional Champions League:
1: Roi Et United (winner)
2: Paknampho NSRU (winner)
3: Nakhon Nayok
4: Chiang Mai (winner)
5: Ang Thong
6: Nara United (winner)
7: Look E-San
8: Udon Thani (runner-up)
9: Prachuap

Number 10+11 to be decided next weekend and the last team on the 23rd or 24th.

CL are scheduled to start the 1st weekend in October, with the draw being held before the end of this month.

Post by **Brian Davis** » September 9, 2013, 5:50 am

Agree with you there, Svein. Loei probably believe they deserved a draw, particularly on the second half, but Lady Luck smiled on Udon. Again, I thought the players made light of a poor pitch, more suited to rice planting than football in some areas.

I think there was several hours of dry weather after morning rain, but the pitch doesn't drain well. Udon seemed to have rested some regulars, at least with the Thai players.

It doesn't matter now, but I did talk to the Head Coach before the game. He said that if Udon and Ubon had finished on the same points, head to head would have been used and the decision would have been in Ubon's favour - Ubon would finish 2nd, Udon 3rd. He said this was in spite of what might occur nationally or internationally - but this is Thailand. His words, not mine!

Post by **phen** » September 10, 2013, 9:59 am

How late start the last game zondag against Roi Et?

Post by **Svein66** » September 10, 2013, 10:20 am

phen wrote:How late start the last game zondag against Roi Et?

All games at same time in last round, so this week it`s a 4pm kick-off, unless they can change when the game don`t matter on where in the table you finish the season.
Roi Et are champions and Udon will be number 2 whatever happens Sunday.