Air Force United F.C.

Air Force Central
แอร์ฟอร์ซ เซ็นทรัล เอฟซี
	File:Airfroce Central football club, May 2016.jpg
Full name	Air Force Central Football Club ; สโมสรฟุตบอลแอร์ฟอร์ซ เซ็นทรัล
Nickname(s)	The Blue Eagles ; (อินทรีทัพฟ้า)
Founded	1937; 87 years ago, as Royal Thai Air Force ; 2010; 14 years ago, as Air Force United ; 2013; 11 years ago, as Air Force AVIA FC ; 2014; 10 years ago, as Air Force Central FC
Ground	Thupatemee Stadium; Rangsit, Pathum Thani, Thailand
Capacity	25,000
Chairman	Saran Suntipattanachai
Manager	Napol Ruechaikam
Coach	Sasom Pobprasert
League	Thai Division 1 League
2015	9th
Website	http://www.afufc.com/
Home colours	Away colours
	Current season

Air Force Central Football Club is a Thailand professional football club based in Rangsit. They play in Thai Division 1 League. Their home stadium is Thupatemee Stadium in Rangsit.

Recent history

Historically, Air Force United have been one of the most successful Thai football clubs. However, since the turn of the century, they haven't achieved much success. The last silverware they won was the FA Cup back in 2001. Air Force haven't played in the topflight of Thai football since 2004.

In 2010 Thai Division 1 League, the season started off brightly for the Airmen, and by the midway point they looked strong candidates for promotion. In the second half of the season, they lost form and finished in 6th spot for the second consecutive season.

The 2011 & 2012 seasons both saw Air Force United flirting with relegation before they eventually finished in mid-table. The club had to relocate to Ramkhamheang University for the latter stages of the 2011 season because their stadium was flooded due to the 2011 Thailand floods. Despite returning home for the first half of the 2012 season, the club played the second leg of the campaign at North Bangkok University while their ground was being renovated.

The 2013 season under the stewardship of club legend Narasak Boonkleng, the team started out with two wins 1 goal victory followed by a frustrating 4 straight goalless draws which had the making of a long tough season. But, the Airmen went a nine-game winning streak with games of 1 goal victory which put the Air Force United in prime position to win promotion back to the Premier League after 10 years absence. The 2nd Leg saw them struggle a bit but, regrouped in pulled of a series of win to gain promotion and win the league in subsequent home games.

The 2014 season start was just a total nightmare unable to win the first twelve games until the 2–1 away victory at Singhtarua. Despite showing some sign of improvement, the club management decided to part ways with head coach Narasak Boonkleng. The club fortunes did not improve with a seven-game winless streak followed by a nine-game winless streak to end the season and relegated back to League 1 after just one season.

The 2015 season started with Sasom Pobprasert as full-time head coach, but it started poorly with one draw and two loses in the first three games. The next four games saw massive improvement with 2 wins and 1 draw pulling the out of relegation and into 13th place before the Songkran (Thai New Year's) break.
Another chance to show that the team have settled when they host Navy FC of Premier League in the 1st Round of 2015 Toyota League Cup but, the team took a 1–0 leading into injury time and gave up 2 goals to be eliminated from the cup. Since being eliminated from the League Cup, the team has a 6 games unbeaten streak with 4 wins and 2 draw placing them at 3rd place in the table right before the league goes on 40-day break for the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

Stadium and locations

Coordinates	Location	Stadium	Capacity	Year
13°57′04″N 100°37′28″E / 13.951133°N 100.624507°E / 13.951133; 100.624507	Pathum Thani	Thupatemee Stadium	25,000	2010

Seasons

Season	League									FA Cup	League Cup	Queen's Cup	Asia	Top scorer
Season	Division	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	Pos	FA Cup	League Cup	Queen's Cup	Asia	Name	Goals
1996–97	TPL	34	14	12	8	54	48	35	7th	W^[1]	–	GR^[2]	–	—	—
1997	TPL	22	14	3	5	42	45	23	1st	—	–	Did Not Play^[3]	R2^[4]	—	—
1998	TPL	22	10	10	2	40	52	31	2nd	—	–	–	–	—	—
1999	TPL	22	11	6	5	39	43	27	1st	R2	–	—	–	—	—
2000	TPL	22	12	5	5	41	34	19	2nd	—	–	QF^[5]	R2^[6]	—	—
2001–02	TPL	22	8	8	6	23	21	32	4th	W^[7]	–	—	R2^[8]	—	—
2002–03	TPL	18	7	2	9	23	26	29	5th	–	–	QF^[9]	–	—	—
2003–04	TPL	18	4	4	10	16	14	38	9th	–	–	Did Not Qualify	–	—	—
2005	DIV 1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	–	–	–	–	—	—
2006	DIV 1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	–	–	Did Not Play^[10]	–	—	—
2007	DIV 1	22	12	6	4	41	22	42	3rd	–	–	–	–	—	—
2008	DIV 1	30	10	10	10	40	32	40	10th	–	–	–	–	Watcharapong Channgam	9
2009	DIV 1	30	12	6	12	42	45	36	6th	R2^[11]	–	Knockout Round	–	Pornchai Ardjinda	7
2010	DIV 1	30	13	9	8	48	33	48	6th	R4^[12]	R2^[13]	GR	–	Pornchai Ardjinda	15
2011	DIV 1	34	10	10	14	36	53	40	14th	R2^[14]	R1^[15]	–	–	Kouassi Yao Hermann & Anusak Laosangthai	12
2012	DIV 1	34	12	8	14	45	45	44	9th	R2^[16]	R2^[17]	–	–	Kouassi Yao Hermann	20
2013	DIV 1	34	20	9	5	51	28	69	1st	R2^[18]	R3^[19]	–	–	Kouassi Yao Hermann	16
2014	TPL	38	6	12	20	35	63	30	19th	R3^[20]	R2	–	–	Kouassi Yao Hermann	13
2015	DIV 1	38	14	10	14	53	50	52	9th	R3	R1	–	–	Julius Oiboh	8
2016	DIV 1											–	–

Champions	Runners-up	Third Place	Promoted	Relegated	In Progress

P = Played
W = Games won
D = Games drawn
L = Games lost
F = Goals for
A = Goals against
Pts = Points
Pos = Final position
N/A = No answer

TPL = Thai Premier League

DQ = Disqualified
QR1 = First Qualifying Round
QR2 = Second Qualifying Round
QR3 = Third Qualifying Round
QR4 = Fourth Qualifying Round
RInt = Intermediate Round
R1 = Round 1
R2 = Round 2
R3 = Round 3

R4 = Round 4
R5 = Round 5
R6 = Round 6
GR = Group Stage
QF = Quarter-finals
SF = Semi-finals
RU = Runners-up
S = Shared
W = Winners

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
2	DF	THA	Sarawut Inpan
5	DF	CRO	Aleksandar Kapisoda
6	DF	THA	Kiatisak Toopkhuntod
7	MF	THA	Nopphon Ponkam
8	MF	THA	Veerawong Leksuntorn
9	FW	THA	Somsak Muksikapan
10	MF	THA	Kittikrai Jantaraksa
11	MF	THA	Prasert Poomala
13	FW	THA	Jaroensak Vongkorn
14	MF	MNE	Petar Vukčević
15	FW	THA	Tanongsak Promdard
17	MF	THA	Kiatjarern Ruangparn


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
18	GK	THA	Wanchai Suwannaain
21	MF	THA	Suphawit Chusaksakulwiboon
22	MF	THA	Weerawat Jirapaksiri
23	DF	THA	Santipharp Channgom
25	GK	THA	Suppawat Srinothai
28	DF	THA	Apisit Sorada
33	FW	BRA	Valdo
34	GK	THA	Sahavich Khumpiam (on loan from Muangthong United)
36	MF	THA	Yutthana Jongnork
37	FW	BRA	Leandro
40	MF	THA	Tana Sripandorn

Achievements

Domestic

Thailand Premier League:^[21] 2

1997, 1999

Thai Division 1 League: 1

2013

Queen's Cup:^[22] 3

1970, 1974, 1982

Thailand FA Cup:^[23] 3

1995, 1996, 2001

Thai League Cup:^[24] 2

1987, 1994

Kor Royal Cup (ถ้วย ก.):^[25] 10

1952, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1996

Khǒr Royal Cup (ถ้วย ข.): 16

1949-51, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1973, 1977, 1982, 1985–87, 1989, 1991

Khor Royal Cup (ถ้วย ค.): 8

1966, 1970, 1971, 1983, 1985–87, 1990

Ngor Royal Cup (ถ้วย ง.): 4

1966, 1984, 1986, 1988

International

ASEAN Champions Cup

1988

Performance in AFC competitions

Season	Competition	Round	Club	Home	Away
1988–89^[1]	Asian Club Championship	Qualifying round	Pahang	2–1	–
		Qualifying round	Geylang International	9–0	–
		Qualifying round	Niac Mitra	2–1	–
		Qualifying round	Bandaran	9–0	–
1997–98	Asian Cup Winners' Cup	First round	Melaka Telekom	0–0	1–2
		Second round	PSM Makassar	1–2	0–0
2000–01	Asian Club Championship	Second round	PSM Makassar	6–1	0–5
2001–02	Asian Cup Winners' Cup	Second round	Home United	1–0	0–5

Notes

^[1] Royal Thai Air Force withdrew to Semi Final League round.

References

^ Thai FA Cup
^ http://www.rsssf.com/tablest/thai-queen.html
^ http://www.rsssf.com/tablest/thai-queen.html
^ 1997–98 Asian Cup Winners' Cup
^ http://www.rsssf.com/tablest/thai-queen.html
^ 2000–01 Asian Club Championship
^ Thai FA Cup
^ 2001–02 Asian Cup Winners' Cup
^ http://www.rsssf.com/tablest/thai-queen.html
^ http://www.rsssf.com/tablest/thai-queen.html
^ 2009 Thai FA Cup
^ 2010 Thai FA Cup
^ 2010 Thai League Cup
^ 2011 Thai FA Cup
^ 2011 Thai League Cup
^ 2012 Thai FA Cup
^ 2012 Thai League Cup
^ 2013 Thai FA Cup
^ 2013 Thai League Cup
^ 2014 Thai FA Cup
^ http://www.rsssf.com/tablest/thaichamp.html
^ http://www.rsssf.com/tablest/thai-queen.html
^ Thailand FA Cup
^ Thai League Cup
^ http://www.rsssf.com/tablest/thaichamp.html
^ http://www.afufc.com/#!sponsors/c1942

External links

[1] Thai FA Cup

[2] ttp://www.rsssf.com/tablest/thai-queen.html

[3] ttp://www.rsssf.com/tablest/thai-queen.html

[4] 1997–98 Asian Cup Winners' Cup

[5] ttp://www.rsssf.com/tablest/thai-queen.html

[6] 2000–01 Asian Club Championship

[7] Thai FA Cup

[8] 2001–02 Asian Cup Winners' Cup

[9] ttp://www.rsssf.com/tablest/thai-queen.html

[10] ttp://www.rsssf.com/tablest/thai-queen.html

[11] 2009 Thai FA Cup

[12] 2010 Thai FA Cup

[13] 2010 Thai League Cup

[14] 2011 Thai FA Cup

[15] 2011 Thai League Cup

[16] 2012 Thai FA Cup

[17] 2012 Thai League Cup

[18] 2013 Thai FA Cup

[19] 2013 Thai League Cup

[20] 2014 Thai FA Cup

[21] ttp://www.rsssf.com/tablest/thaichamp.html

[22] ttp://www.rsssf.com/tablest/thai-queen.html

[23] Thailand FA Cup

[24] Thai League Cup

[25] ttp://www.rsssf.com/tablest/thaichamp.html

[26] ttp://www.afufc.com/#!sponsors/c1942

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v t e Thai League 2
Thai League Co.,Ltd
2024–25 clubs	Ayutthaya United Bangkok Chainat Hornbill Chanthaburi Chiangmai United Chonburi Kanchanaburi Power Kasetsart Lampang Mahasarakham SBT Nakhon Si United Pattaya United Phrae United Police Tero Samut Prakan City Sisaket United Suphanburi Trat
Seasons	1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
Thai League T1 T3 TS TA Women's League

v t e Thai League 1
Thai League Co.,Ltd
2024–25 clubs	Bangkok United BG Pathum United Buriram United Chiangrai United Khon Kaen United Lamphun Warriors Muangthong United Nakhon Pathom United Nakhon Ratchasima Nongbua Pitchaya Port PT Prachuap Ratchaburi Rayong Sukhothai Uthai Thani
Former clubs	Chainat Hornbill Chiangmai Chiangmai United Chonburi Customs United Khon Kaen Lampang Navy Police Tero Rajpracha Samutsongkhram Samut Prakan City Suphanburi Trat
Dissolved clubs	Air Force United Army United Bangkok Bank Bangkok Bank of Commerce Bangkok Christian College BBCU Krung Thai Bank Pattaya United Police United PTT Rayong Raj-Vithi RBAC Sisaket Sriracha Songkhla United Super Power Samut Prakan Thai Farmers Bank Thai Honda TOT TTM FC Ubon United
Seasons	1996–97 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
All-time table Broadcasters Coach of the Year Managers Winners List of foreign players Records Reserve team

v t e Thai League 1 Champions
9 titles	Buriram United (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24)
4 titles	SCG Muangthong United (2009, 2010, 2012, 2016)
2 titles	Air Force United (1997, 1999) Police Tero (2000, 2001-02) Krung Thai Bank (2002-03, 2003-04)
1 title	Bangkok Bank (1996-97) Bangkok United (2006) Chonburi (2007) Provincial Electricity Authority (2008) Chiangrai United (2019) BBCU (1998) TTM Thailand Tobacco Monopoly (2004-05) BG Pathum United (2020-21)