Muangthong, Chonburi suffer Asian drubbing

Muangthong, who won the last of their three TPL titles in 2012, found themselves on the receiving end of a resounding 3-0 loss away to Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG, while Chonburi succumbed to a 9-0 rout at J-League outfit FC Tokyo. 

The Thai clubs’ heavy losses in the one-off playoff ties on Tuesday evening left TPL champions Buriram United as the sole representatives of the country in the lucrative group stage of the continent’s premier club competition. 

After seeing his players run ragged by a Shanghai side coached by former England manager SvenGoran Eriksson, Muangthong coach Totchtawan Sripan, who has been in the job for less than a month, conceded the Shanghai Stadium fixture was a mismatch. 

“It’s a tough game. We need to accept that they’re really a strong side. The cool temperatures did affect our players as they were unable to play at their optimum. Nevertheless, we did our best,” said the 41-year-old former national midfielder, who made a switch from troubled club Police United. 

With the Chinese Super League runners-up boasting top-class players such as prolific Brazilian forward Elkeson, Argentine playmaker Dario Conca and ex-Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan in their ranks, the Muangthong coach also admitted the difference in the quality of the foreign legion played a key factor in the match.

Totchtawan’s fellow former national player, Terdsak Jaiman, cut a forlorn figure after watching FC Tokyo put nine past his Chonburi side in a one-sided encounter in the Japanese capital.

“First of all, I would like to apologise to Chonburi fans and Thai football supporters for what happened. Surely, I didn’t want it to happen like this. But, they were so strong and superior to us in every aspect. This result is a lesson for me. I have a lot of work to do to improve our team and I need to do it urgently,” said Terdsak who took on the dual role as player and coach.