Gian Chansrichawla
Football Tribe SEA Editor
The Thai League season came to a dramatic end last week as Chiangrai United pipped Buriram to win the 2019 title, but there is one more piece of silverware left to be decided this weekend.
Third-placed Port FC, who were in the title race right up until the penultimate game of the season, have had two weeks to recover from the controversial 3-1 defeat at the hands of Buriram United which counted them out of the title race. Meanwhile, Ratchaburi’s league campaign ended with three consecutive 2-2 draws which saw them finish eighth.
The Klongtoey side will be looking to crown their season with a trophy, having been league leaders early in the season before trailing off in terms of form. The side have looked far more tactically disciplined in the second half of the season, exchanging the free-flowing hands-off football of Jadet Meelarp for the more disciplined approach of Choktawee Promrut.
Meanwhile, Ratchaburi will be led by new coach Nuengruethai Sathongwien, who took over two weeks ago and made history by becoming the first female coach to coach a professional men’s team in Thailand. She will be reunited with Port owner Pang Lamsam, who was the general manager of the Thai Women’s National Team she coached at the World Cup.
However, the particular time of her appointment suggests that her role will likely grow next season, while the continuing influence of interim coach Somchai Maiwilai and general manager Tanawat Nitikarnjana will be prominent for today’s game.
Today’s match is set to take place at BG Pathum United’s Leo Stadium, kicking off at 7pm local time.