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.

Customs United 2-1 Laem Chabang City

Laem Chabang City

Laem Chabang City's inaugural game in the regional league ended in defeat as they lost 2-1 to Customs United. Their cause wasn't helped when they had a player ordered off on the stroke of half time.

The home side started on the front foot forcing a couple of early chances but it wasn't until the 42nd minute that the deadlock was broken. Chavarit's surging run released Yu who was upended in the box. The Japanese striker got up to convert the spot kick despite the keeper in the Laem Chabang goal getting a hand to it.

1-0 - Keeper almost saves

Just before the interval, Tawatchai was sent off for the visitors after a robust challenge on the touchline earned him his second yellow card.

Within a minute of the restart, Sukchai doubled the lead for Customs when his shot beat the keeper into the bottom left hand corner.

The new boys should have been dead and buried but they fought well with 10 men. Marit fired in a free kick on 72 minutes to give City some hope. It was United however who held on for a win that they probably just deserved.

Both sides looked decent defensively although I didn't see anything to suggest that either will be challenging for the end of season playoffs. Mid-table seems the most likely position for the duo.

Laem Chabang fielded only Thai players but they were quite big physically. Wasan at the back was the pick of the bunch for me as he controlled their back line. As far as their support went, there were about 100 of them who had made the journey up from Laem Chabang. They were fairly quiet by Thai standards, despite having two drums, yet they did look like they'd made the journey by choice rather than been forced to by employers/institutes which is often the case.

K. Duah

Man of the Match: Duah (Customs Utd) The youngster was composed at the back