Buriram eye record, Kirins seek dignity

Buriram eye record, Kirins seek dignity

Future of Chonburi coach Therdsak hangs in balance, Police Tero give Mulvey marching orders

Buriram United celebrate winning the Thai League 1 title at I-Mobile Stadium last week.
Buriram United celebrate winning the Thai League 1 title at I-Mobile Stadium last week.

The curtain falls on this year's Thai League 1 on Saturday and giants Buriram United and SCG Muang Thong United have contrasting motivations to win their last games of the season.

Buriram, crowned champions of the top flight last week, are plotting to improve their own league record for most points in one season and a win at Chonburi today will give them a total of 86 points, one better than their previous mark set in the 2011 season.

Muang Thong, on their part, are seeking a victory over Bangkok Glass at home just to erase the bitter memories of a humiliating 1-0 home loss to relegated Thai Honda on Wednesday night.

Buriram United manager Tatthep Pitakpoolsin said his team only needed to check on the fitness of Sasalak Haiprakon, while the other players were all looking forward to the match against Chonburi.

"We have won the [league] title already, so it would be great if we can wrap up the season by bettering our previous record for most points in one season," he said.

"To achieve this goal we must beat Chonburi, so we will be going all out for a victory against them."

Chonburi's media director Jeerasak Chomthong confirmed that key players Suttinun Phukhom and Kroekrit Thaweekan would be available for the match against Buriram, but skipper Chonlatit Jantakam was a doubtful starter.

He also left a question mark hanging over team coach Therdsak Chaiman's future.

Jeerasak said: "We have been observing the performance of everyone involved with the team since the start of the season.

"Everything will come up for a review after the season is over and that would include coach Therdsak Chaiman as well.

"It will not be long and soon we will learn about the fate of everyone and our plans for the future."

However, Police Tero coach Mike Mulvey would not have to wait for such a review as he has already been given his marching orders by the team management.

Brian L Marcar, chairman of Police Tero, said yesterday: "We are not pleased at all with the results achieved under head coach Mike Mulvey during the second half of the season.

"I admit that I made a wrong decision and brought him into the team as the coach.

"So after our last game tomorrow [today], in which Police Tero play an away game with Pattaya United, Mike will no more be the coach of our team."

Mulvey was appointed as Police Tero coach at the start of the second leg of the season after the team sacked Thai coach Uthai Boonmoh. Under Uthai, Police Tero collected 23 points from 17 matches, while Mulvey's reign has so far produced only 16 points.

Meanwhile, Kirins' coach Totchtawan Sripan said: "We have been assured of second place in the league, but this is the last game of the league and that too at our home ground.

"Obviously, we want to finish the season on a high note in front of our fans.

"We still need to rotate the players, but we will be definitely going for a win over Bangkok Glass."

Muang Thong will face Chiang Rai United in the League Cup final on Wednesday.

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