Destination Chula

Keo Sokngorn (blue) and Sani Saidu (red) are led by Kiatisuk Senamuang (white) at Chula United

This photo caught my eye as it's a picture of Chula United getting in some training before the Thailand football season gets underway in February. Chula are based at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and they play in the Thai First Division. Why did it get my attention, because the player in the blue jersey is former Phnom Penh Crown teenager Keo Sokngorn and his teammate in the red is the ex-Crown centre-half, Sani Saidu. The reason why two former Crown players are trying their luck at Chula United for the new season, is that their old Crown manager Makara Be has taken up a position of advisor to the new Chula manager Kiatisuk 'Zico' Senamuang. The new man in charge is something of a legend in Thailand, having played 130 international matches and scored 65 goals for his country whilst displaying his skills for clubs in Malaysia, England, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. In 2006 he retired from playing and took over the reins at Vietnam's richest club Hoang Anh Gia Lai before moving back to Thailand and Chula only last month. Don't be too surprised if Sokngorn, Saidu and one or two more familiar names including Crown's former top scorer Prince Justine and Naga's Joseph Oyewole turn out for Chula this season. As for Crown's Thai coach last term, Apisit Im Ampahi, he's linked up with TPL team Bangkok Glass.