Singh Tarua 1-0 Nakhon Ratchasima

Singh Tarua increased their winning streak to nine at the PAT Stadium with a narrow win over Nakhon Ratchasima.

Noah Chivuta came close for Nakhon Ratchasima in the opening minutes but for the rest of the opening period it was the home side who were on top.

Ivan Petrovic set up Kroekrit in the 25th minute but the Chonburi loanee fired his low shot wide of the target. Two minutes later Leandro's flicked effort hit the base of the post as the hosts increased the pressure.

Tarua finally made the breakthrough on the half hour mark when Leandro finished off a move at the second attempt after Ali Diarra's galloping run on goal had been blocked by Prasit.

As the interval approached, Tarua had chances to double their lead. First, Patrick Reichet scuffed his shot across goal and then Leandro's shot flew just wide.

The second half was rather quieter as Tarua sat on their lead inviting the guests to attack. Korat lacked creativity in the centre of the park and had little cutting edge upfront. At times, the Swatcats were committing too many men forward which left them vulnerable to the Tarua counter attacks.

Kriakiat's long range shot in the 77th minute was palmed over the bar by Watcahara and that attempt was the closest it got for Nakhon Ratchasima.

I thought the 1-0 victory for Singh Tarua was slightly more comfortable the the scoreline suggests. Korat to me seemed to have their eye on the bigger prize of winning the second leg of their League Cup semi final against Ratcahburi on Wednesday.

The win keeps Tarua sandwiched in third place one point behind PTT Rayong and one ahead of Bangkok FC.

PTT Rayong 1-0 Nakhon Ratchasima

A Terukazu Tanaka goal midway through the second half was enough to earn PTT Rayong the plaudits against Nakhon Ratchasima.

Prior to this match, PTT hadn’t conceded a home goal, and in the first 45 minutes that record never looked like being breached. Former Korat man, Josef Tirer twice warmed the palms of Munze Ulrich while attempts from Decha and Tanaka flew inches wide of the post.

The Swatcats were more offensive in the early stages of the second half, but they were undone in the 67^th minute when Terukazu Tanaka helped the ball on its way into the net after Korat had failed to clear a set piece.

The hosts had chances to increase their goal advantage but they were grateful for the woodwork six minutes from time when Noguchipinto tipped a Nagano volley onto the crossbar.

PTT Rayong held out for a well-earned 1-0 win and moved 10 points clear of Nakhon Ratchasima. For me, they look nailed on for the TPL next season even though they’re not particularly easy on the eye to watch. For the Swatcats, with this current squad they look Top 6 at best, but that might change once their new recruits bed in once the transfer window opens. 

Man of the Match: Prathan Mansiri - He easily held the Swatcat attack at bay

Laem Chabang City 1-2 Nakhon Ratchasima (AET)

Shota Koide's extra time goal separated the sides as Nakhon Ratchasima beat Laem Chabang City 2-1 to advance to the next round of the Toyota League Cup.

With barely two minutes on the clock, Korat took the lead when Prompong latched onto a through ball from Yusuke Kato to slot home.

For the rest of the first half, the Division 1 side held the lion's share of the play, yet it was Laem Chabang who came closest to scoring on the stroke of half time with 'Jack' Saranuwat's lob bobbling just wide of the post.

The afternoon heat seemed to sap the energy of both sides as the second half was played at a slower tempo.

Straight red

The Iron Stingray were slowly getting on top and Ekarat had to spread himself to block Phubet's shot on 70 minutes.

Seven minutes later, the Swatcats were reduced to 10 players after the referee produced a red card for Nirandrit's challenge.

Things went from bad to worse for Korat one minute later when the referee spotted a handball in the box and promptly pointed to the spot.

Penalty 1-1

Manit's resultant penalty was hit low and hard, and went under the diving keeper's body to level the contest at 1-1.

Prompong then had a low shot smothered as extra time beckoned.

Full time: Laem Chabang 1-1 Nakhon Ratchasima

The hosts had a great chance to score early in extra time, but Prirat skied over the bar after being sent on his way.

Marit headed over for Laem Chabang while Prompong's shot was parried by the home side's keeper as the first period of extra time ended 1-1.

With a penalty shoot out on the horizon, the winning goal was scored in the 111th minute by Shota Koide. The Japanese midfielder curled an exquisite right footer into the top corner giving the Laem Chabang keeper no chance.

That was it as far as the action went. Overall, it was a tough win for Nakhon Ratchasima against a plucky Laem Chabang side.

Bangkok FC 1-2 Nakhon Ratchasima

The Swatcats pounced on two goalkeeping errors to beat Bangkok FC 2-1. The victory lifted Korat back into the top half of the league while their hosts slipped into the bottom half.

The pre-match huddle

It was a slightly cagey start with both goalkeepers being virtual spectators in the first quarter of the game. The first shotstopper called into action was Bangkok's Mana Nopnech on 25 minutes as he tipped a free-kick from Pralong over the bar. A few minutes later, Mana's opposite number got his first action of the afternoon blocking a low drive from Solomon Okuta and then being alert enough to block the rebound from Preecha.

After the break, Nakhon Ratchasima were the hungrier side. Within 10 minutes of the restart, Sanong blazed over the bar from 6 yards while Anon hit woodwork following a header after corners from the right.

First goal - oops!!

The Bulligans were getting plenty of joy down the left flank, but the Bang Mot side were dealt a blow at the other end when Sanong opened the scoring shortly before the hour mark. A free kick from Pralong on the right edge of the box was fumbled by Mana and the number 21 tapped-in to break the deadlock.

Swatcats celebrate 2nd goal

Prasit, in the Korat goal, had to be alert to save from a header, but on 65 minutes the away side doubled their advantage when Mana weakly palmed a cross straight to Anon for the Muangthong United loanee to make it 2-0.

The clock seemed to be whittling down fairly easily for the guests with a combination of solid defending and calls for treatment.

As the fourth official was preparing himself to hold up the board for the additional minutes, Bangkok FC pulled one back after a rebound from the bar pinged around in the six yard box before Mika Chunuonsee netted his first for the club from close in. 

There was to be no Manchester City last ditch drama at the end as Korat held out for the 2-1 win.

I feel a bit harsh blaming Mana for Bangkok's defeat today as he's been solid since his arrival from Chainat. Let's just hope it was a blip for the captain!

For Korat, they've been embroiled in a bit of a soap opera in the last couple of weeks regarding the coaching position of the club. I don't want to dwell on that but from what I saw today, the club certainly have enough to finish in the top half although promotion might be out of their reach this season.

North Bangkok 0-2 Korat

Korat's 2-0 victory over North Bangkok earned the Swatcats their place in Division 1 next season. Results from elsewhere conspired to work in favour for Korat and it now leaves an intriguing winner takes all game between Krabi and Rayong next weekend to see who goes up with Korat.

The game today bizarely started 4 minutes ahead of schedule and finished with a lunar eclipse visable in the Bangkok skyline. Both are rare occurrences and I wouldn't like to put my money on which one I will see next!!

The first half was fairly even and within a few minutes, the home side thought they had taken the lead, but their goal was ruled out for offside.

Korat had a couple of decent chances in the first period with a Prompong header striking the post, and shortly before the break, Marcel should have done better when he got to the ball before the advancing North Bangkok keeper, but he tamely screwed his shot wide from outside the area.

Ten minutes into the second half, Korat took the lead through a Jiranwut shot after he'd linked up well with Marcel.

The game was over 20 minutes from time when Marcel headed home a Jagkree corner.

Korat held out without any threat from North Bangkok as the Swatcat fans anxiously tried to find out results from elsewhere. Once the Krabi result came through, the players, officials and fans of Korat celebrated at the final whistle. I expect there will be a party atmosphere next week in Korat when they host Roi Et for their final game.

Roi Et United 2-1 Nakhon Ratchasima FC

Roi Et United quickly stamped their mark on Division 2 Champions League Group B by edging to the top of the group with a 2-1 victory over Korat.

The scoreline suggests that it was a tight game, but in reality it was a far more comfortable victory for the White Squirrels.

The opening period was one way traffic and the biggest surprise of the half was that it took Roi Et until first half injury time to open the scoring.

Korat looked to have weathered the first half storm, but three minutes into stoppage time they fell behind when a low powerful shot from Teerapong found it's way into the bottom corner.

The Swatcats improved after the break and forced a couple of chances. Just as Korat were beginning to get a foothold in the game, they were hit with a sucker punch midway through the second half. A free kick from the right wasn't dealt with properly by Korat's keeper, Prasit, and the rebound was knocked in by Kennedy Ihenacho. There may have been a foul on the keeper in the build up to goal but Roi Et weren't caring as the tie appeared to have been put to bed.

It was heading that way until Korat were awarded a penalty deep into injury time. Prompong sent the keeper the wrong way, but unfortunately for the Swatcats it was only to be a consolation as the referee blew the whistle seconds after the restart.

The other results in the group were both scoreless draws between Lamphun v North Bangkok and Rayong v Krabi. Roi Et already top the group and I predict that's were they'll be in the final standings after match day 10.

Korat took a bit of a battering in the first half yet they showed enough fighting spirit in the second half to give their supporters encouragement for the remaining 9 games.

EDIT: Korat lodged a complaint as Roi Et had six foreigners on the pitch instead of the permitted five from the 77th - 88th minute.
The judgement was made on Thursday 20th October. Roi Et's 2-1 win was reversed and Korat were awarded a 2-0 win. No punishment was administered to the match officials.

In my opinion Roi Et deserve to be punished for their incompetence. The rules are simple and surely a member of the coaching staff should have identified that there were 6 foreigners on the field.

However, I don’t agree with the decision to award Korat 3 points and a 2-0 victory. The infringement of the rules didn’t affect the outcome as Roi Et were 2-0 up and comfortably in control by the 77^th minute. I would let the result stand as a 2-1 win to Roi Et, but then deduct 6 points from the White Squirrels.