Thai FA Cup: Phuket FC shoot down Air Force United

PHUKET: The Islanders kept their Thai FA Cup prospects alive, last Wednesday defeating Yamaha League 1 (YL1) rivals Air Force United 1-0 in the second round.

The match was played at Thupatemee Stadium, on the northern side of Bangkok, where the islanders are set to play the Air Force “Blue Eagles” again, tomorrow, April 27, in a YL1 week 8 fixture.

That rematch will kick off at 6pm.

With Phuket FC firmly committed this season to promotion up to the Thai Premier League (TPL), the stakes for Saturday’s match will be high.

With one eye firmly on the league, Phuket rested star Brazilian striker Luiz “Dudu” Purcino, French midfielder Geoffrey Doumeng and Ivorian defender Nenebi from their starting 11 in Wednesday’s cup match.

All three are expected to be fielded in the league match tomorrow, however.

Air Force United had the first real chance of the game in the second half, striking the ball just over the bar from 20 yards out.

Phuket sealed the victory in the 83rd minute when Brazilian midfielder Junior “Juninho” Guimaro beat Air Force’s keeper at the near post from a free kick just outside the area.

For video highlights of the match, including the goal, click here.

The Islanders’ FA Cup round 3 match date and opponents have yet to be announced.

The round of 32 will include 18 teams from the TPL and the 14 teams that advanced from round 2, including Phuket.

The 16 matches will be determined in a draw, set to take place on April 30, at 2pm.

Other Round 2 FA Cup results are as follows:

• Nakhon Pathom Utd 2-2 Nonthaburi FC (Nonthaburi advanced 5-4 on penalties)
• Singh Tha Reua 8-1 Thai Honda
• Nakhon Ratchasima 4-0 Chachoeng Sao
• BBCU 5-0 Lampang FC
• PTT Rayong 2-0 Rayong Utd (aet)
• Samut Prakan Utd 1-2 Khon Kaen FC
• Trat 2-1 Krabi
• Rayong FC 2-1 Si Racha
• Nara Utd 1-1 Navy (Navy advance on penalties 2-3)
• Bangkok FC 2-1 Ang Thong FC
• TTM 2-0 Saraburi
• Patthalung 1-0 Samut Sakhon
• Prachuap FC 3-1 Ayutthaya FC

After tomorrow’s league match against fifth placed Air Force Utd, Phuket FC return to Surakul Stadium to play the current 4th place team Singh Tha Reua FC on May 4 at 6:30pm.

Singh Tha Reua, also known as the Port Lions (formerly Thai Port FC), were one of the three teams relegated from the TPL last season, along with BBCU and TTM.

Also with 15 points after the first seven fixtures of the season, the Port Lions are joint top with Phuket, BBCU and PTT Rayong.

However, based on goal difference, PTT Rayong (+6) are on top, followed by BBCU (+5, 10 goals scored) Phuket (+5, 9 GS) and Singh Tha Reua (+3).