"Lucky in Game" & "Lucky in Love"
The small football tournament, "MEA Futsal Thai League 2026," has already kicked off with three matches played this season.
So far, three teams have won all three matches, earning 9 points each: Thakham Cold Storage, champions for three consecutive years in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
They share the top spot with Bluewave Chonburi, both having scored exactly 13 goals. Third place is held by Rajabhat Phetchaburi, who have also won all their matches.
A team whose performance has noticeably dropped compared to last year is the "Khlong Toei small football team," Port Authority ASM, last year's runner-up who narrowly missed the championship in the final match.
After starting with three matches, they have only collected 2 points and have yet to record a win.
However, the road ahead is still long before reaching the goal.
Fans will have to wait and see which teams will be among the top four to enter the Final Four playoff round to compete for the top league title once again.
This new rule is being applied for the first time in our futsal league.
It aims to increase excitement in the championship race toward the end of the season, a method long popular among major European nations.
Judging from the performance shown in the early season,
it seems the "Thepprachaichang" small football team, Thakham Cold Storage, Thailand's futsal powerhouse at present, remains the favorite this year.
Another team to watch for a comeback to reclaim futsal league glory (once again)
is the "Small Shark" squad, Bluewave Chonburi, former 11-time league champions who have been dormant for several years.
Last season marked the first time the team fell out of the Thai Futsal League's top five.
This year, "President Pam" Thatchapat Benjasiriwan, the young club president, has almost completely reshaped the team to chase greatness once again.
Under the "LEGACY" theme, reflecting the idea of continuing success and building a long-term foundation for the club.
This involves blending new talent with experienced players to move forward toward sustainable success.
Especially significant this year as it marks the 20th anniversary of the club's founding and its rich legacy.
President Pam said the 'LEGACY' theme this season is not just about remembering past successes,
but about maintaining standards and passing on the winning spirit from generation to generation.
Although this year features a mix of several generations of players, which is admittedly a challenging tuning task,
he remains confident that Bluewave's spirit will make the team strong and lead to lasting success, bringing joy to Chonburi fans once again.
The club's goal for the 2026 season is focused and intense, aiming first to qualify for the playoffs.
This is to seize the chance to win their 12th Futsal Thai League title, as well as to reclaim the Futsal FA Cup, which returns this year.
Currently, the team has a roster of 21 players, including experienced veterans and promising young talents.
Led by veteran superstars like "Captain Chang" Krisada Wongkaew and "Thep Arm" Suphawut Thuenklang,
who have clearly declared their desire to win the championship again with Bluewave before retiring.
Also included are Apiwat Jamcharoen, Warut Wangsamael, and Krit Aransanyalak.
The team is coached by homegrown coach "Coach O" Thanathorn Santhanaprasit,
head coach who led Thailand's women's futsal team to their first-ever World Cup appearance in history.
Plans are underway to strengthen the squad further in the second leg, including adding quality foreign players to fill gaps for optimal completeness.
Meanwhile, returning to use the Chonburi Municipality Stadium as the main home ground this year will be a key to victory.
This stadium holds a magical atmosphere and has a long-standing familiarity between the team and its fans.
It is believed that the close atmosphere and powerful cheers will help the team tune up effectively every day.
This will attract more fans to follow Bluewave Chonburi closely.
Especially the veteran player who unexpectedly finds the spotlight shining on him again.
That is "Captain Chang" Krisada Wongkaew, who, despite being 37 years old,
still appears fit and passionate, with a hidden energy that makes his superstar aura shine once more.
Recently, he has shown sharp, impressive form, even scoring his first goal of the season with style.
In the latest match where the small sharks thrashed newcomers Nakhon Pathom Christian United 8-2 on Sunday.
This is why they say the "power of love" can create everything, both "lucky in game" and "lucky in love."
If you want to enjoy this period, try some 'Captain Chang's meatballs' followed by a sip of 'longan juice' to refresh and sweeten the mood perfectly, he joked.
:-)
- Bee Bangpakong -