Thailand's Buriram United FC Crowned Champion of the Toyota Mekong Club Championship 2016 Tournament for the Second Consecutive Year

Bangkok, Thailand, 9 January 2017―Toyota is proud to announce that Thailand's Buriram United FC has been crowned champion of the Toyota Mekong Club Championship (TMCC) 2016 tournament.

While Buriram United FC emerged victorious, first runner-up Lanexang United FC had put up a good fight, with goalkeeper Southavy Soundala being awarded the Most Valuable Player for demonstrating exemplary sportsmanship. Two final matches were conducted―on 4 January in Laos where Lanexang United FC emerged the winner; and then on 8 January in Thailand, where Buriram United FC had emerged as champion.

Buriram United FC was presented with the championship trophy and the monetary award of USD75,000 by Mr. Kyoichi Tanada, Managing Officer of Toyota Motor Corporation and President of Toyota Motor Thailand at the Thammasat Stadium. Ranko Popovic, Head Coach for Buriram United FC recounted that, "Our victory today is because we played as a team. Everyone responded well to the strategy, and played a great game." He continued that, "I wish the best for Lanexang, that they will continue to build their impressive record."

Conveying his congratulations to the winning Buriram United FC team, Mr. Kyoichi Tanada stated that, "I would also like to show our appreciation towards the other teams―all of whom played well and contributed to the excited and success of the Toyota Mekong Club Championship 2016".

Mr. Tanada further emphasized that "The importance of teamwork in football illustrates the principle of teamwork in the Toyota Way philosophy. Through football, we also hope to continue contributing to the communities in the Mekong region."

In its third year now, the annual TMCC tournament has developed a strong following, as well as an ever-growing turnout. To cater to the growing enthusiasm for the event, Toyota modified the format of the finals this year, where there were two matches―one in each of the host countries of both finalists―which had attracted over 20,000 spectators collectively.

The Toyota Mekong Club Championship is a football tournament among champions from Mekong countries initiated by Toyota Motor Asia Pacific in 2014 under the Toyota Mekong Football Project. It was founded to exemplify the same passion and energy of football with Toyota's pursuit to bring 'ever-better' cars to customers. Bringing sustainable, innovative and exciting solutions to every country has been a key focus for Toyota.