Gian Chansrichawla
Football Tribe SEA Editor
The lineup for the quarter-final of the 2019 Thai League Cup has been completed, with four top division side and even one T3 outfit making the cut.
Third tier Ranong United repeated their feat from last season, where they reached the same stage with victories over both Ratchaburi FC and Bangkok United. This time, the Andaman Sharks managed a 1-0 home win over T1 relegation battlers Sukhothai. This is the Fire Bats second consecutive cup elimination of the season after they once again fielded a second-string side in favor of focusing on the league.
Both Bangkok United and Chiangrai United found themselves playing away against T4 opposition in yesterday’s early kickoffs. The former faced Muang Loei United and managed a 2-1 with goals from Mike Havenaar and Sanrawat Dechmitr. Chiangrai, on the other hand, went behind in their away match against Surat Thani City but roared back to complete a 5-2 victory.
Buriram United began their game against JL Chiangmai with both of their new strikers, Nacer Barazite and Rasmus Jonsson, starting up front for the first time. Barazite hit the side’s opener, only for them to be pegged back after poor marking from a set-piece. It took until the final minute of extra time for the game to be settled when Sasalak Haiprakhon’s free-kick was mishandled by the goalkeeper and found it’s way into the goal.
Prachuap were the final T1 team to follow into the knockout stages, seeing off T4 side Thonburi University 3-1 with goals from Apichart Denman, Somphob Nilwong and Siroch Chatthong carrying them through to the last eight.
Chainat and Ratchaburi were both eliminated at the hands of second-tier opposition. The Hornbills were put to the sword by BG Pathum United, who were out for revenge after the side were relegated at Chainat’s expense. Barros Tardeli, Surachat Sareepim, and Chaowat Veerachart were all on the scoresheet as the Rabbits thrashed the visitors 5-0. Elsewhere, Ratchaburi faced a resilient Nongbua side, who eventually found the winner in extra time courtesy of Apisit Khamwang’s long-range strike.
Lastly, Police Tero beat Customs United for the second time in a week, winning 2-1 at home after beating them by the same scoreline away last Sunday.