World Cup disappointment

The most notable aspect of watching my first World Cup in Thailand, aside late match kick-offs courtesy of the five hour time delay between Thailand and South Africa, was a lack of English match coverage and technical analysis.

The Three Lions performance was somewhat disappointing too, but away from the hype bubble of the UK press I was not too shocked or overly saddened (as I usually am) given team was truly dreadful and barely deserved to qualify for the knock-out phase.

Leaving match analysis aside, as I'm sure Roundball Passion, a new blog from the excellent fella behind Beyond The Mango Juice, covers this in more detail, other issues arose in Thailand.

It seems Thai broadcasters failed to purchase the rights for English language commentary and, as is often the case in Thailand, the detailed match analysis, pre and post game, which often is cumulatively longer than the football itself in England was missing too.

What a coincidence that the Telegraph's Expat section decided to cover this story here.

Eyes peeled for a very media friendly quote from yours truly, and comment from Mike, who incidentally has a new blog over here.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy learning and listening to Thai, but during the football Thai analysis is pretty low-tech and obvious, never thought I'd find myself pining for English commentary...funny how things pan out.

Now what was I saying about the joys of blogging t'other day...nice to see your name in lights.

If I'm here for next World Cup, or European Championships in 2012, lets hope a lesson is learnt and English is included. Don't get me wrong I'll be a fluent Thai speaker by then (I wish! - though my football vocab is already well stacked) but my little fella(s) can follow in English.

Football: Thailand Officially World Number Two

Thailand has beaten Brazil in football!! Though England remains number one.

It is...well...erm...not quite what you think...

Thailand has been recognised as the world's second-most football obsessed nation according to Heineken with England coming out top.

Just in time for the World Cup, Heineken gets a nice instantly quotable story in the British broadsheets and a little Team England brand association - well done chaps.

I won't often quote news from The Sun, but I think you'll agree this is a worthy exception.

Research revealed English blokes spend more time watching, playing, reading and talking about the beautiful game than anywhere else on the planet.

The study found a typical soccer fan watches football — including highlights — for two hours and 22 minutes every week.

They also spend 28 minutes each day chin-wagging about the latest results, tackles, goals or transfer gossip.

In second place was Thailand, where men spend three hours talking about the sport, followed by three-time World Cup winners Brazil in third.

Of course, as the saying goes, it's all about quality over quantity and given some of the opinions I've heard in both England and Thailand, I'm pretty sure neither country can claim to be the world's most knowledgeable.

At just 120 Baht (£2.50) a shirt switching your allegiance is an affordable pursuit in Thailand

Liverpool is well known for being the most popular in team in Thailand (any many other Southeast Asian countries) although Chelsea, Arsenal and Man United and others are becoming increasingly popular as the Merseysiders continue to struggle on and off the pitch.

Glory hunters, just keeping with what's on vogue or sensibly taking advantage of the bevy of cheap replica kits?

My favourite Thai football story is the fella who went to watch the recent Inter vs Bayern Munich Champions League final with both an Inter and Bayern shirt.

Back to The Sun, the top 15 countries are as below, though I still don't believe Thai men spend close to 10 hours a day talking about football.

THIS is the total amount of time blokes spend watching, playing, reading and talking about football each day around the world:

1. England — 11hrs 12mins

2. Thailand — 9hrs 56mins

3. Brazil — 9hrs 53mins

4. Ireland — 9hrs 29mins

5. Mexico — 9hrs 1min

6. Spain — 8hrs 38mins

7. Italy — 8hrs 27mins

8. China — 8hrs 21mins

9. Scotland — 8hrs 6mins

10. S. Africa — 8hrs 5mins

11. Germany — 8hrs 4mins

12. Wales — 7hrs 46mins

13. France — 7hrs 23mins

14. Russia — 7hrs 13mins

15. Holland — 6hrs 4mins

More ugly Thai football scenes

There was more controversy in Thai football recently courtesy of two division two teams not far from me (both play in the same division as local team Saraburi FC).

Fierce rivals Lopburi FC and Ayutthaya FC made national headlines when an Ayutthaya player struck a Lopburi defender breaking his nose in the process and sparking off violences between rivals fans, players, backroom staff, ball boys, water carriers, mascots and anyone else in the vicinity.

It wasn't easy but a video of the event is below (the on field incident is around the 0.17 mark). The video shows the rest of this chaos and footage of a number of injured fans after the game.

เหตุการณ์อัปยศลพบุรี 1-3 อยุธยา - ดูคลิปทั้งหมด คลิกที่นี่

The (rather excellent) Jakarta Casual has a full round up and comment - pieces of which are below.

Lop Buri FC have been banned from playing at home for four games following their attack on Ayutthaya FC in the Second Divison Regional League last week.

Lop Buri players, officials and fans attacked their Ayutthaya rivals on the pitch and in the stands after becoming infuriated by decisions by the match officials.

The violence at Lop Buri took place after the home team suffered a 3-1 defeat. Several Ayutthaya fans were hospitalised.

Lop Buri fans who threw bottles at match officials face a fine of 5,000 baht each.

Lop Buri coaches and officials who were involved in the incident are fined 12,000 baht each and are suspended for the rest of the season.

Lop Buri FC and Ayutthaya FC are each fined 20,000 baht.

Pol Lt Gen Vorapong said the trouble started because fans of both sides were not properly separated.

He said the hosts allowed the sale of alcohol in the stadium.

COMMENT - a local derby turns feisty though to be fair it looks more like locals pissed off with the result rather than a concerted effort by a gang of hooligans. There are some teams, and not just Thailand, who seem unwilling to accept the fact that in football they can lose games.

JC is right that this is not hooliganism, instead just another example of dreadful behaviour from fans, many of whom were likely very drunk.

It never fails to amaze me that, in a country where people are incredibly polite and careful of their behaviour in public, football fans (and players too) can be so disrespectful of the authorities and rival teams/supporters.

That said, I've been to a lot of games and (touch wood, as I often go with the little fella) there's never been a problem.

Sadly I doubt we've seen the last of these types of incidents in Thailand.

Queen's Cup football coming to Saraburi

Thailand's Queen's Cup football competition is coming to Saraburi next week with six matches taking place at the Osotspa Saraburi stadium.

[Click to enlarge fixtures list]

The matches are being promoted around the stadium (in Thai) but there's no mention around town (details confirmed in English at the ever reliable Thai Football News blog) so it will be interesting to see how many turn out. Presumably the Sunday games will get the largest audience.

I'm planning to take in all the games, meaning a footie report might finally make it to the blog...can sense Martyn's excitement already.

There is no real parallel for the Queen's Cup back in England, it appears to be hosted by the clubs themselves, Chonburi this year, with competition on a invitation basis only.

This year's is the 34th competition (according to Wikipedia) which sees 12 teams battle it out in four knock-out groups hosted in Rayong, Chonburi, Pattaya and Saraburi: congrats to Thai Port, Samut Songkhram and Army (and home team Osotspa Saraburi, of course) all of whom miss out on a trip to the cost in favour of the glamour of Saraburi. Or not.

More to details to follow.

Goal of the season - Manny Figueroa, Wigan

Wigan Athletico's Honduran international Maynor Figueroa has been wanted by his old boss Steve Bruce for a while. The full back's price tag and media profile are likely to rise a few notches after this wonder strike against Stoke this weekend.

Brilliant stuff.

Is anyone else interested in a B-side collection of people messing these up?

Bryan Robson set to coach Thailand

The BBC reports that former England captain Bryan Robson has "agreed in principle" to become the next manager of Thailand's national football team.

Robson would, of course, replace Peter Reid, a former England team-mate of his, who left the position to return to English football as assistant manager of Premiership side Stoke City.

Robson is an interesting choice from the Thai FA. His seven year spell in charge of Middlesbrough, which ended 2001, remains the stand-out achievement on his management CV.

Robson showed initial management potential at Boro, though the close of his time saw fans turn against him with doubts over his tactics, style of play and transfer policy.

Robson did save West Brom from relegation 2004-2005, a feat that makes him the only manager to save a team bottom of the league at Christmas from relegation, though circumstance played a major part as final game results lifted Boro from bottom place to safety.

Though I don't rate Robson as a manager, his management career hasn't hit the heights of his glittering playing career, many of his former charges rate him as an excellent coach. Perhaps then Robbo, and his practical skills, are better suited to the demands of international football..

Only time will tell, but I'd like to be the first to say 'Sawasdee Krup, Robbo'.

Premiership football comes home

Totally out of the blue, it seems the Thai Premier League is coming to Saraburi as Bangkok-based Osotsapa FC have agreed to move.

Moving franchises (or teams as we say in English) is something I'm ordinarily completely opposed to.

On this occasion, however, I will forget my ethics, and throw my weight behind the move, should it go through, because:

1. Saraburi is my hometown and, although we have 3rd tier side Saraburi FC, I've always said the town is big enough for a Premiership side.

2. There are so many teams in Bangkok, a move away will help the club develop a distinct identity and group of fans, rather than just being Just Another Bangkok Club.

3. Selfishly, this is my town which means I'll finally get the chance to watch top level football in Thailand.

4. They are a good side - currently sitting in 4th place, just 2 points from the summit. The team has also played in the AFC Cup (the Asian equivalent of the UEFA Cup).

Once the pitch and stadium are renovated (and I assume we're talking about this one) they'll be over.

Congrats Osotsapa Saraburi FC and welcome to the neighbourhood.

**I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this actually takes place, Thailand has a horrible habit of not delivering on its promises or announcements from time to time.

Liverpool to play in Bangkok

Thailand is Liverpool crazy, so locals and expats will be excited to hear that Liverpool will play the Thai national team in Bangkok on 22 July. The game is a follow-up to the club's last trip to Thailand in 2003.

The Premiership title chasers will also take on Singapore four days later as part of a pre-season, friendly tour. 

Pre-season friendlies and tours used to be take place against local teams, maybe involving a crossing to Ireland or, for the lucky ones, an exotic destination in mainland Europe, somewhere like Belgium.

These days however, money talks loudly and the pre-season tour to Asia, Africa, America or other Premiership hungry hotspot is a manditory merchandising and promotions effort for any leading club. Football is a global business and the tour helps build a recognisable brand, vital for reaping the cash.

It was quite an eye-opener to realise, on moving to Thailand, I can watch any top-flight football game on TV, even at 3pm on a Saturday (not legally possible in UK), from the comfort of my chair, glass of Leo in hand, any day of the week. 

Given the sheer consumer market in Asia it is inevitable, then, to see football taking on a global flavour and spreading its appeal. And it isn't just the clubs.

The number of the non-UK pitchside adverts (such as the Emirates offers in Vietnamese) from my beloved Emirates Stadium is a striking testiment to the overseas following and business appeal of Brand EPL - "English Premier League", an acronymn I despise, for me it is THE Premier League.

But this isn't a rant, I really enjoy the hype and prediction of pre-season, I also watching tournaments played abroad but sadly the 'merchandising tour' is the likeable face of the dark side of football, the influx of money. A subject I could write a thesis on...another day.

On the plus side, the FIL can watch Liverpool live, assuming I should be so lucky and manage to get the much sought-after tickets! 

Hmmm, I have a feeling they'll be back soon.

If you're interested in more on the globalization of football, an interesting and far more indepth piece is waiting for you here. And you should also read twofootedtackle, an excellent footie blog.

The example of a "Dickhead" on Wikipedia

**DISCLAIMER - I know a lot of people don't share my passionate for football, I'm told that some even loathe the game (?!), but I'm going to use an example from my beloved sport for a non-sporting reference...bear with me!

A young, virtually unknown footballer by the name Federico Macheda (photo below) made a name for himself by scoring a vitally important goal for Manchester United which will keep them in the race to win (and retain) the English Premier League.

Macheda: Suffering abuse online...not that he'll care

As a self-confession football nerd, I was a little taken aback when he was brought on as a second half substitute as I have never heard of the 17 year old Italian who is more commonly found turning out for Man Utd's reserve team.

After the game I decided to find a little more information about him. A Google search then led me to this page below on Wikipedia - one of the web's most useful resources.

enlarged version http://twitpic.com/2x8bx

On the page I found his date of birth, information on his background, how he came to be at Manchester United and little detail on his progress at the club to date - all new to me.

The page had recently been updated with his heroics from barely 10 minutes previous...

"With United 2–1 down and needing a goal to keep their title campaign alive, manager Alex Ferguson threw Macheda on in place of Nani just after the hour mark. After Ronaldo equalised for United in the 80th minute, Macheda won the match with a curling effort from just inside the area in the third minute of injury time."

The entry was even referenced by BBC Sport Online's match report.

It is this dedication to ensuring information is current which Wikipedia an established internet institution that is. 

But here's the negative side, someone (perhaps an Aston Villa fan or supporter of title-rival Liverpool) decided to change Macheda's nickname from "Kiko" to "DICKHEAD" as the eagle eyed will spot in the screenshot above.

I'm having problems accessing the site today (ISP or Thailand's blocking policy) but presume the page has been corrected. 

The example highlights the potential abuse of Wikipedia's open editing policy. There is keen talk of editing rights being withdrawn from the public to only allow access to allow to Wikipedia moderators, and checking updates before they are published. 

This move would mess with the recipe which has made it Encyclopedia 2.0 - that is the sheer speed it updates and publishes facts. This puts it streets ahead of rivals, any change would take the competitive edge away from Wikipedia, not to mention the charm of the funny stuff which surface once in a while.

Wikipedia, please don't change.