Div 2 Playoffs Round 9 Review

Group A 

Rayong United 3-2 Paknampo NSRU
Ayutthaya 3-0 Pattani
Phitsanulok 2-0 Roi Et Utd

Ayutthaya confirmed themselves as Group A champions as the comfortably beat Pattani 3-0. The defeat for the southerners means they can start preparing for another season of regional league football in 2013. The Ancient Warriors were gifted an own goal in the 11th minute. Roland Guina was then red carded on 30 minutes for Pattani before second half goals from Natthaphat and Antonio Vega rounded off an untroubled afternoon for Ayutthaya.
Roi Et United blew their chance to claim the second promotion berth as they were downed 2-0 at Phitsanulok. Somlak scored a fine individual goal and Weerawut's looping header completed the 2-0 scoreline. Roi Et's misery was complete when Davidson was sent off towards the end of the match. Roi Et still have their fate in their own hands but they'll be nervously looking over their shoulders with Phitsanulok and Rayong Utd only two points behind them.
It was looking bleak for the Elephant Warriors as they were trailing NSRU 2-1 at half time. However an own goal drew Rayong Utd level, and with four minutes remaining Yusuki Sato scored from close in to win it 3-2. The only blemish on the comeback for Rayong Utd would be the dismissal of Souleymane for a spot of handbags in injury time.

Group B 

Rayong FC 2-1 Trat
Sisaket Utd 3-0 Trang
Chiang Mai FC 5-0 Thai Honda

It's all so tight for that second promotion place as Rayong FC, Chiang Mai FC and Sisaket Utd all submitted home wins. CM and SU had slightly easier evenings while Rayong had a tough time against first division bound Trat. Two headed goals from their central defender, Walther, ensured that Rayong won 2-1. Sirisak did have a penalty saved by Trat's Arthit, and Natthaphon did score with a long range free kick for Trat, but it was the Blue Family supporters who were celebrating at the end of the match with their first win in six attempts.
Chiang Mai dispatched a weary looking Thai Honda side 5-0. A deflected shot from Chantaphon set Chiang Mai on their way before Aliou Seck scored the second killer goal moments after half time. The floodgates then opened with Toure Ousmane notching a double and Warut adding a fifth goal.
Sisaket Utd also weren't pressed as they beat Trang 3-0. Preecha's first half penalty eased the pressure before Sisaket added two second half goals.
Rayong and Chiang Mai both have 15 points with Sisaket Utd tucked one behind on 14. I'm assuming that head-to-head comes into play if two teams finish level on points, so Rayong FC's better H2H would trump Chiang Mai superior goal difference should they finish level.
Next week the top four clash with Trat hosting Chiang Mai FC and Rayong FC entertaining Sisaket Utd.