Defending champions Buriram United secured a 2-0 win over Port FC in their Thai Premier League (TPL) opener at the New I-Mobile Stadium with their new Brazilian forward Gilberto Macena scoring both the goals.
Alexandre Gama's men were in cruise control from start to end as they dictated play in front of a partisan crowd. Macena, a former Shandong Luneng player who is on-loan from Hangzhou Greentown, scored in the 39th and 44th minutes to ensure the champions kick off their campaign on the right note..
Over at the 5th December Stadium in the Nakhon province, Sugao Kambe's newly promoted Nakhon Ratchasima FC put up a strong fight against Muang Thong United, only to fall to a Sarach Yooyen goal in the 51stminute.
Returning forward Teerasil Dangda - back with Muang Thong after his short stint in Spain's La Liga with Almeria - showed flashes of brilliance alongside strike partner Cleiton Silva. The excited away fans were happy to see their former hero back in the famous red jersey.
Another club who are potential title contenders, Suphanburi FC without their star midfielder Charyl Chappuis. They failed to get their campaign off to a winning start when they were held to a 1-1 draw away to Osotspa Saraburi FC, with Chainarong Tathong and Marcio Rosario getting on the score sheet.
Thai legend Therdsak Chaiman, in his first season as head coach of Chonburi FC, was given a perfect start with a 3-1 away win over Saraburi FC.
Thiago Cunha opened the scoring in the second minute before Tinnakorn Asurin leveled proceedings only to see two late goals in the final 10 minutes from Kirati Keawsombat and Mineiro Fernandes Juliano dampen their hopes of gaining a point from the TPL giants.
Ratchaburi FC managed a 1-0 win, courtesy of a 89th minute goal from Rattana Petchaporn against TOT FC. Bangkok United came away with a 2-1 away victory over Chainat FC.
BEC Tero Sasana, led by the impressive Chanathip Songkrasin, were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Chiangrai United while Singaporean custodian Hassan Sunny helped Army United to a 1-0 win over Siam Navy FC in the uniform derby.
Chanathip and his teammates will have a chance to put their first win on the table when they travel to the Sisaket province to take on Sisaket FC at the Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium on Feb. 18.