Thai League Cup: FC Phuket draw high-energy opponents

PHUKET: FC Phuket will face a real test of their prowess later this month when they take on Thai Premier League (TPL) team Osotspa Saraburi FC in the opening round of the 2010 Toyota League Cup, the Thai League’s version of England’s FA Cup.

The pairing, set for August 29, was the result of a lucky draw among 64 qualifiers, who play in the various divisions of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT).

The time of the match has not yet been announced.

FAT Secretary-General Ong-art “Mr OK” Korsinka presided over the draw yesterday at Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok.

In the first leg of the opening round, lower-ranked teams from the Regional and Division 2 leagues will host sides from Division 1 and the Thai Premier League (TPL).

Each pair play twice. The second round of matches will be on September 11 and 12.

The winner will be decided on away goal rules, followed by 30 minutes of extra time and then a penalty shoot-out, if necessary.

The FC Phuket pairing with Osotspa Saraburi FC, whose sponsors manufacture the popular M150 energy drink, was noted in the Bangkok press as one of the most highly-anticipated match-ups.

FC Phuket have been in top form and have already qualified for the promotion playoffs to the Division 1, while Osotspa Saraburi FC are seventh on the Thai Premier League table.

Other matches of note involving teams from the South:

August 28:

Phang Nga (Div 2) vs Nakhon Pathom (Div 1)

Sakhon Nakorn (Div 2) vs Narathiwat (Div 1)

Yala (Div 2) vs Chula United (Div 1)

August 29:

HatYai (Div 2) vs Bangkok Utd. (TPL)

Trang (Div 2) vs Thai Honda (Div 1)

Nakhon Panom (Div 2) vs Songkhla (Div 1)

— Stephen Fein & KomChadLuek