MUANG THONG TAKE OVER AT THE TOP OF THAI PREMIER LEAGUE

With Chonburil slipping to a scoreless draw at TOT FC, it has allowed, Muang Thong to pick up 41 points from the 20 match days thus far.

They are just a point clear of Chonburi, two points ahead of Bangkok Glass (third with 39 points) and three points adrift of Osotspa (on 38 points).

Backed by money from Siam Sport Syndicate, the country’s sport media empire, Muang Thong were the busiest team during the mid-season transfer window.

They acquired several stars including national team striker Teerathep Winothai who returned from Belgium after an unsuccessful spell in the second division.

While Muang Thong, Chonburi, Bangkok Glass and Osotspa are vying for the Thai Premier League title this year, ten teams are in the race to avoid the drop.

Chula United, who have been at the bottom for the most part of this season, seem destined to go down where after 20 matches, the renowned university have 13 points – eight points behind fourth-from-bottom Samut Songkhram.

Chula have tried everything to turn the club’s fortunes including introducing a new nickname and sacking the coach.

From the Men in Pink, as the university’s colour is pink, they are now the Samyan Tigers.

Chula manager Thavatchai Sajjakul was moved upstairs to become a vice president and replaced by Teerachai Wuthithum.

Brazilian Jose Ferreira was sacked as Chula coach and succeeded by Pichai Pituwong, a dentist turned football coach and journalist.

Both are Pichai and Narong are experienced coaches.

Pichai, a graduate of Chulalongkorn University’s Dentistry Faculty, is a former BEC Tero Sasana coach, while Narong guided Krung Thai Bank to win the league crown a few years ago.

Narong also steered Thailand’s Under-12 team to win the Saitama Cup in Japan last month before joining Chula.

Chula showed signs of improvement under the new management.

But that was still not good enough for a win as Chula suffered two consecutive home defeats in Pichai’s first two games as their coach.

They led Osotspa at half-time only to allowed their opponents to score twice in the final eight minutes to win 2-1.

On Saturday, Chula again took the lead against BEC Tero Sasana before going down 3-1.