Croatia’s Dragan Talajic will begin his reign as coach of SCG Muang Thong United tomorrow when the Thai Premier League leaders travel to Police United.
Newly appointed Muang Thong United coach Dragan Talajic.
Former goalkeeper Talajic signed a three-year contract with Muang Thong in midweek after the Kirins were without a permanent coach for two months after the departure of Englishman Scott Cooper.
“It will be a challenging job and I will do everything to help the team win titles. There is always pressure for a coach and the target of a coach is to win titles,” the 48-year-old said.
Talajic guided Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad to win the AFC Champions League in 2004 and has worked with several clubs in the Middle East.
Muang Thong will be without Thailand striker Teerasil Dangda, who will join Spanish La Liga side Almeria in a season-long loan deal.
Muang Thong manager Karn Jantarak said he expected Talajic to get off to a winning start.
“We have several injury players, including Datsakorn Thonglao, Suriya Singhmui and Arthit Daosawang,” Karn said.
“But we have several players who can play in their places. I believe Dragan will get his first three points as coach of Muang Thong.”
Police United assistant coach Weerawat Unsupcharoen said: “It will be a difficult match but we aim to win. We will have a stronger squad with Adul Muansamarn returning from suspension and Pokklao Anan available after injury.”
By the time Muang Thong play Police, they will be overtaken by third-placed Buriram United or second-placed BEC Tero Sasana who meet at I-Mobile Stadium today.
Buriram will be hoping to extend their winning streak and hand BEC their first league defeat of the season.
Buriram have won eight matches in a row in the TPL. They also won at Muang Thong in midweek to reach the League Cup semi-finals.
Buriram manager Thadthep Pitakpoolsin said: “I am confident that we will beat BEC Tero. We want to become the first team to beat them in the TPL this season.”
BEC are the only unbeaten side in the TPL this term and manager Thanya Wongnak believes his men are good enough to get at least a point.
PTT Rayong host Samut Songkhram in a contest between the two bottom sides.
PTT Rayong have brought in several new players, including Prayad Boonya, Amorn Thammanam and Kritsana Klanklin and coach Chaiyong Khampiam believes they will help boost the team’s survival chances.
Fixtures
Today
6pm — Buriram United v BEC Tero Sasana (I-Mobile stadium); PTT Rayong FC v Samut Songkhram FC (PTT stadium)
7pm — Chiang Rai United v Singhtarua FC (United stadium); Ratchaburi FC v Chonburi FC (Ratchaburi stadium)
8pm — TOT SC v Army United (TOT stadium)
Tomorrow
6pm — Bangkok Glass FC v Suphanburi FC (Leo stadium); Si Sa Ket FC v Chainat Hornbill FC (Si Sa Ket stadium); Songkhla United v Air Force FC (Tinsulanonda stadium)
7pm — Bangkok United v Osotspa M-150 Saraburi (Thai-Japan stadium)
8pm — Police United v SCG Mu
