TOUGH AT THE TOP IN THAI FUTSAL LEAGUE

BANGKOK (7 May 2009) – The Thai Futsal League 2009 is turning out to be just as tough as expected with little separating the top few teams.

After 11 matches into the new season, the leadership had changed hands several times between current leaders CAT Telecom, Chonburi Bluewave and I AM Sport.

The interesting fact though is that defending champions Port Authority of Thailand are nowhere in the top half after conceding a defeat in their first game of the season.

But they have been slowly winning matches and the full points to climb up the pecking order where they are now eleventh at the standings.

In the meantime, this week saw CAT Telecom edging Port Authority with a 3-2 scoreline to remain at the top of the table with 26 points with Lertchai Issarasuwipakorn scoring the winner five minutes to the end.

The score up till then was 2-2 with Rogerio Moreira (3rd minute) and Cherdsak Suntornsiri (22nd) scoring for CAT Telcom while for Port Authority, they got their goals through Piyapun Ratana (7th) and Wutichai Thintavee (31st).

In the meantime, Chonburi had two quick goals from international striker Anucha Munjarern to thank for their 4-3 win over Royal Thai Navy when he scored in the first and second minute of play to set the pace for the remainder of the match.

But Royal Thai Navy were not about to give up the tie despite trailing by the two goals when they bounced to score through Jetsada Chudej (9th and 19th minute) and Patarapol Labmak (18th) for them to steal to a 3-2 lead.

However, Natapol Sutiroj turned the game on its head when he struck the equalizer on 29th minute before blasting in the winner in injury time.

With the win, Chonburi are on second at the table with I AM Sport on third in spite of their 4-4 draw against Sripatum on account that TOT fell to a 3-2 loss to Bangkok.

CURRENT THAI FUTSAL LEAGUE 2009 STANDINGS (after 11 matches)

1. CAT TELECOM FUTSAL CLUB 26pts (+13)

2. CHONBURI BLUE WAVE 25pts (+24)

3. I AM SPORT 23pts (+8)

4. TOT FC 22pts (+17)

5. ROYAL THAI NAVY 15pts (+14)

6. BANGKOK 15pts (-1)

7. PORT AUTHORITY 14pts (+4)

8. BANGKOK GLASS 13pts (-8)

9. SURATTHANI LIGHTNING SHRIMP 12pts (-1)

10. NONTHABURI 8pts (-18)

11. RATTANA BUNDIT UNIVERSITY 7pts (-16)