Phuket FC slay the Ratchaburi ‘Dragon’ in Thai FA Cup

PHUKET: The Islanders caused a Thai FA Cup upset last night knocking out Thai Premier League (TPL) side Rachaburi Mitrphol 2-0 at their home ground, Surakul Stadium in Phuket Town.

The first half started brightly with both sides adopting an attacking style but the end-to-end football was quickly replaced by caution.

Phuket FC started the match against the Dragons, who were promoted to the TPL after winning last season’s Yamaha League 1 title, with a full strength team including: Dudu, Geoffrey Doumeng, Nenebi and Sato who once again formed the spine of the starting 11.

The disappointing first half drew to a close with neither side really testing the opponents’ keeper.

The second half threw up a number of chances and Phuket’s Eakartit Somjit was in the thick of the action.

After the restart, Eakartit wriggled past two defenders on the edge of the box, striking a shot that was parried by Rachaburi’s keeper to Dudu, whose shot was cleared off the line by a defender.

Eakartit broke the deadlock when he ran onto a pass that broke Rachaburi’s offside trap to slot the ball past the advancing keeper.

Phuket continued to attack and Sato should have done a lot better with a free header from eight yards out.

However, a defensive mix up allowed striker Chana Sonwiset to slot the ball into an empty net and seal Phuket’s win.

The Islanders next game is a tough home match against 6th placed Nakhon Ratchasima FC (Korat), who are only two points and one place behind them in the league.

The game kicks at 6:30pm this Saturday (June 29) at Surakul Stadium (click here for map). Tickets are 100 baht and students and children get in for free.

Other Thai FA Cup results:

• Samut Songkram FC 2-0 TTM FC
• Patalung FC 2-1 Nakon Rachasima FC (match abandoned after 45 mins due to floodlight failure. Game to be completed June 27)
• Osotspa Saraburi 2-0 Nontaburi FC
• Trat FC 5-4 BBCU FC
• Rayong FC 2-3 PTT Rayong
• Buriram Utd2-1 Chainat FC
• Siam Navy 1-2 Singh Tarua
• Bangkok Glass 1-0 Chonburi FC (aet)
• TOT SC 0-1 Police Utd
• Chiang Rai Utd 2-0 Khon Kaen FC
• Supanburi FC 0-1 Army Utd
• BEC Tero Sasana 7-2 Pattaya Utd
• Bangkok Utd 1-1 Prajuap FC (Bangkok Utd win 4-2 on penalties)
• Muang Thong Utd 5-2 Songkla Utd

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— Andrew Scott