Obb Deewajin
Football Tribe Thailand
Buriram United, looking to bounce back from their disastrous defeat to Muangthong, played against a Ratchaburi side who lost to the Thunder Castle home and away this season, getting destroyed 6-0 the last time they met.
Rasmus Jönsson got the nod up front alongside Supachok Sarachat, and the two combined in the 11th and almost gave Buriram the lead. Supachok with a near post cut-back from the byline but the former Wolfsburg striker couldn’t direct his attempt on target.
Amin Nazari started in place of the cup-tied Jakkapan Pornsai, and it was the Filipino international who handed the Dragons the lead in first-half’s stoppage time. Striker Yannick Boli does a fantastic job to get a shot in, reacting quicker than the other four defenders around him. Goalkeeper and newly crowned Thai captain Siwarak Tedsungnoen blocked the shot with his feet but the ball still found it’s way to Nazari.
Chasing a goal, Bozidar Bandovic introduced 17-year-old Suphanat Mueanta and the wonderkid made an instant impact, playing a delightful pass over the opposition defense, finding Pansa Hemviboon free on the far post. The big defender made to mistake to equalize.
However, Ratchaburi scored what would be their winning goal in the 73rd minute. Yannick Boli with a smart movement to escape behind Pansa, getting his head on Philip Roller’s cross.
Suphanat and substitute Suchao Nutnum almost levelled the game for the second time but couldn’t get better over their former keeper Ukrit Wongmeema – and Ratchaburi FC qualified for the FA Cup final.
At the Army Stadium, Port FC face Bangkok United. The Lions have failed to beat the Angels in each of their 11 previous meetings.
In the 15th minute, Pakorn Prempak curled in a delicious cross but Sergio Suárez couldn’t get enough on his header to redirect the ball on goal. At the other end, Everton Gonçalves got too much on his header, sending Vander Luiz out-swinging corner kick wide.
Vander Luiz was causing the Port’s defence all sorts of trouble with his dribbling, and was inches away from assisting Jaycee John with a goal but Worawut Srisupha threw himself against the post and somehow blocked Jaycee John’s header with his leg.
The game was postponed for a while due to the rainstorm but was fine to resume play despite the puddles all over the pitch. Then came a crucial moment of the game when Siwakorn Jakkuprasat received his second yellow with a clumsy tackle on Vander Luiz. This forced Port FC to retreat deeper, which dragged the game to penalties.
Both teams put four of their first five spot-kick away, with Everton Gonçalves and Elias Dolah missing the penalty for their respective side. Nitipong Selanon stepped up and converted Port’s fifth. Then up came 18-year-old Guntapon Keereelaeng to level it 5 from 6. The pressure was clear to see on his face as the Thai U19 striker steadied himself. Guntapon made a slow run-up before side-footing his shot into the corner of the post.
These results mean that Port will face Ratchaburi in the FA Cup final at the Suphanburi Stadium on the 2nd of November.