Gian Chansrichawla
Football Tribe SEA Editor
Both Bangkok United and Port FC are likely to view tonight’s FA cup semi-final clash as instrumental to salvaging their season.
Sitting fourth and third in the Thai League respectively, this competition could represent the last chance either side has to win a trophy this season.
Bangkok United manager Mano Polking has already staked his position on the side winning a trophy this season, while Port have two years of accumulated investment that is yet to pay dividends in terms of the trophy cabinet. Neither side will be willing to give an inch.
In their most recent meeting, an energetic, pressing Port side was outdone by a professional performance from hosts Bangkok at the Thammasat Stadium, who picked them off to ultimately emerge as 2-0 winners.
Port have tended to struggle against the fellow big sides in the league, only picking up two points from a possible 15 against the current top four in the league this season. However, they seem to be able to turn it up to another gear in this competition, dispatching an in-form Chiangrai side 3-2 at the PAT Stadium in the last round.
Given the circumstances surrounding this game, it genuinely hangs in the balance and seems almost impossible to predict.
Elsewhere, Buriram United need to quickly recover from their 3-1 loss against Muangthong over the weekend when they face Ratchaburi in the other semi-final.
The Dragons were recently dispatched 6-0 by Buriram in the league when the two sides met at the Chang Arena last month. However, with the stakes of the cup final and buoyed by two wins either side of the international break, this game should be an entirely different prospect for Ratchaburi.
However, Buriram’s experience in cup competitions and the pragmatism of coach Bozidar Bandovic make them clear favorites to win this match, and many accept that Ratchaburi will be fighting an uphill battle to make it to the showpiece event. Whether or not they can turn up the heat for what looks like the biggest game of their season by far remains to be seen.