grievous wrote:It's a good excuse for a road trip when playing away also.

UDFC is playing in Bangkok this coming Sunday, and the club has buses for fans for 350 baht. They leave at 5am on Sunday morning and returns around 5am on Monday morning. Good luck to those who travel, but I`m too old to travel like that.

I can't suffer that kind of road trip these days either, requiring more comfort and speed. This takes me back to the 1960's, overnight, pre-motorway trips in the UK to places like Carlisle and Plymouth! I know the Thai seem to cope easily packed into a pickup for hours on end, open to the elements, so this may be considered luxury to them.The very best to those who can hack it and, although Udon's away record in the Champions League in recent seasons is awful, let's hope the fans get some reward this time. Personally, I don't like playing the same team two weeks running and, whether stats back me up or not I don't know, but I doubt one team wins both games often. Happy to be proved wrong.

I feel vindicated! - re my previous questions and comments on why the fixture list means one plays the same team two weeks running.
Udon's Saturday win against Customs was gained through a blatant offside goal. The assistant referee (linesman) is either incompetent or worse , because it wasn't even a close decision. Tough, but that's how it is and Udon has suffered on occasions too. As one might expect, the Chairman of Customs has written a letter of protest. Does it happen that the result of a game can be changed because of a refereeing mistake and subsequent protest by administrators? I don't think so and that would be a dangerous way to go. (Things like playing ineligible players, unnamed subs, floodlight failures etc. are different type issues.) Anyway, who does Udon play this coming weekend? Customs away. After one week, there's obviously going to be some bad feeling and the chance of 'hassle' - particularly if the officials make mistakes.
Wouldn't it be better if Udon didn't meet Customs again for several weeks, when things will hopefully have cooled down?

Perhaps I should add to my previous post that anyone willing to sit next to me for the best pay of a day/night and after a sweaty football match, warrants a FREE bus ticket. (Seriously, permits a toothbrush and jumping in one of those petrol station showers is the norm?)

After their 2-0 win over Samut Sakhon,Udon still have a chance of winning their group but face two tough away fixtures at Ubon and Rayong as their next matches.

Played Points
1 Ubon UMT 7 14
2 Rayong FC 7 12
3 Udon Thani 7 12
4 Customs United 7 11
5.Samut Sakhon 7 4
6.Chiangrai 7 3

THAI PREMIER LEAGUE
Satun banned for three years
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Satun United have been handed a three-year suspension and a hefty fine for crowd violence that marred their 1-0 home defeat against Khon Kaen United in thirdtier Division Two's promotion playoff round Champions League at the weekend.
Satun supporters, incensed by the refereeing decisions after two of the home team' players received marching orders, invaded the pitch after the final whistle and attacked the referee and his two assistants.
During the melee, one of the two assistant referees, surrounded by the angry crowd, spoke through the megaphone that he was hired to officiate the game in favour of the visiting Khon Kaen side . He, however, retracted his words at a news conference in Bangkok, claiming he did to defuse the tense situation.
The Football Association of Thailand yesterday heavily sanctioned Satun, suspending them from taking part in any Thai FAsanctioned competition for three years starting next year besides a fine of Bt315,000. The club has until Saturday to appeal the decision.
Meanwhile, Khon Kaen United president Watthana Changlao was far from happy after his club was being viewed as "cheaters".
The Satun match further lent weight to the view of many fans that Khon Kaen were often the beneficiaries of refereeing decisions. That prompted Watthana to launch a staunch defence of his club.
"I want to make it clear that we're definitely not cheaters as we are being accused. I've grown tired of hearing people saying that we cheated or we received favourable decisions from the referee.
"I want all the parties to sit down and talk. I'm ready to prove that we have not gained any benefit from the refereeing decision. Whether they want us to swear or whatever, we're ready to do that.
"We play the game fairly and we've built our team based on those spirit. I don't want people to see us in a negative light. We're okay if a draw [for a referee] would be made before each game. I would like to reiterate that Khon Kaen United have nothing to do with officiating of the match referee," said Watthana.

I don't want to sound miserable over what should be an entertaining pastime, but it's difficult to think that football isn't an extension of everyday Thai life and, therefore, corrupt. What a pity. As far as match officials are concerned (and as Svein has pointed out, organised football is still very young here and not many referees have a lot of experience), it's difficult to know if an official has made a genuine error, is generally incompetent or has been 'got at'. It seems a particularly difficult time for Thai football, with lots of different issues arising.
This is Thailand and one wonders if the truth has really surfaced. For what it's worth, I've seen some clips from the Satun v Khon Kaen game. The referee did appear to ignore a very good case for a Satun penalty. In another minor incident, a free kick was given to Khon Kaen when a player made a ridiculous dive, which would have won an Olympic gold in the pool! I haven't yet caught the incidents leading to the two players being sent off.
As you say Zidane, two big away games now, which will surely decide Udon's promotion or not.
There's another issue in the background, although I sense it may now just have been 'forgotten'. On 31 October, Ubon CCC entertained Rayong. In, I think about 80th minute, Ubon brought on a substitute who was not listed as one of the five possible substitutes on the referee's teamsheet. (So the fourth official is at fault too). I don't think the timing of the substitution or the player's contribution are particularly relevant. The game finished 1-0 to Ubon; Rayong issued a subsequent protest. But, at this time, I'm not sure what, if anything, has been decided.
My feeling and Svein's too, is that the game would normally be awarded to Rayong with, in Thailand, a 2-0 scoreline. But ..... Obviously, this would change the table and affect Udon's chances.
I recall, not quite the same circumstances, but the Celtiv v Warsaw ruling.

Ubon UMT United vs UDFC can probably be seen live here from 18.00 today:
https://football-hd.com/?r=live-channel%2F398%2F2%2FSSF
and on Siam Sport Football for those who have True at home...

Ubon UMT United 1-1 UDFC
UDFC`s goal came after 86 mins, and they was lucky to get a point, as UUU was the better team.

UUU and Rayong have 15 points, UDFC 13 and Customs United 11. The bottom 2 have no chance for promotion.

Remaining games:
December 6:
Customs United vs Samut Sakhon
Chiang Rai City vs Ubon UMT United
Rayong vs UDFC

December 12:
Ubon UMT United vs Customs United
Rayong vs Samut Sakhon
UDFC vs Chiang Rai City

UDFC will be promoted if they win both games. 3-4 points might also be enough, but then other results has to go their way.
UDFC have played 14 awaygames in Champions League (2013-2015), but have only managed to win once, so looking at the history don`t give me a positive feeling about promotion. But I know they can win on a good day...

At home they have won 9 of 14 games in 3 seasons of Champions League, and they are currently unbeaten in 16 games at home in league and CL. Chiang Rai have lost 4 of 4 away in CL, so the final game should be a home win. Let`s hope that win will give us promotion!

Disagree a little with you there, Svein. I thought Udon were worth their point. It wasn't a particularly entertaining game, but competitive. Ubon started well (or you might say Udon didn't) but after that I thought things were fairly even. Normally the opposition has somebody who shines, but I didn't think anyone outstanding on this showing. Credit to Udon. The giant Victor always going to be a handful with his height at corners and free kicks, but Udon handled him well - Beshad literally!
It does look like Rayong v Udon is the real crunch game next/last weeks, with the other games involving the top three all against teams with nothing to play for - I say that , and although it seems unlikely, I think Customs could still make it if winning both and other results going right for them. Great if Udon can go against the stats.

Really think there's a case for organising a fans' plane, there/back same day. Timings of Air Asia flights to/from U-Tapao rather early, particularly return when there's a drive from Rayong, and one would have to stay the night anyway.

UDFC will continue to play in Regional League in 2016, after losing at Rayong yesterday. They dropped to 4th place, of 6, in the table, and have no chance of promotion. Last game of the season is at home this Saturday against Chiang Rai City.

Regional League 2016 kicks off on February 14.