Toyota League Cup Round 1 - Review

(Saturday)
Kasetsart 4-0 Esan United
Trat FC 2-0 Bangkok FC
Kalasin FC 0-1 Samut Songkhram FC
Prajuap FC 1-2 Pattaya United
Sra Kaew City 0-1 FC Phuket
Customs United 3-2 BBCU
Pichit FC 0-2 Songkla
Rayong FC 2-2 TTM (TTM won 4-5 on pens)
RBEC 3-4 Bangkok Glass
Lopburi FC 0-0 PTT Rayong ( Lopburi won 4-3 on pens)
Thai Honda 1-2 Muang Thong United
Yala FC 0-1 Thai Port
Nakon Sri Tammarat 0-1 Chonburi
Si Saket United 0-2 Osotspa Saraburi
Ratchaburi 4-3 Chainat FC (AET)
Patalung 2-1 Police United
Kamphaeng Phet 0-0 Chiang Rai United (CRU won 4-2 on pens)
Paknampo NSRU FC 3-1 Army United (AET)
Siam Navy 0-1 Khon Kaen
Hat Yai FC 3-0 Rajpracha

I've got to be honest here and admit that in the days leading up to the first round of the Toyota League Cup, I could barely summon any interest in the competition after the long drawn fiasco of last season. Nevertheless, that all changed at Saturday teatime once the results started filtering through.

On Saturday, second division sides Kasetsart, Customs, and Paknampo NSRU all sent TPL sides packing. Kasetsart crushed a full strength Esan Utd 4-0 while Customs raced into an early 3-0 lead before eventually beating BBCU 3-2. Army United lost for the second successive year to a regional league side as they tumbled out at NSRU losing 3-1 after extra time.

Notable mentions must also go to Trat, Ratchaburi, Pattalung and Hat Yai who also defeated higher league opposition. Ratchaburi beat TPL Chainat 4-3 after extra time with Wander Luiz's spectacular chip firing the Dragons into the last 32.

The pre-cup selection of favorites, Muangthong, Chonburi and Bangkok Glass, all came through unscathed with narrow victories over second division opposition.

The "It could only happen in Thailand" accolade of the weekend goes to Samut Songkhram for starting their match at Kalasin with only eight players. Apparently a Samut Songkhram official faxed the wrong starting XI to the FA headquarters which left them with only eight eligible players. Pleads to rectify the situation fell on deaf ears as Kalasin steadfastly refused to show any compassion towards the bungling TPL side. However, karma came back to bite the unsympathetic Kalasin officials on the backside as Samut Songkhram won 1-0 with only eight men.

(Sunday)
Samut Prakan United 3-1 JW Rangsit FC
Lampang FC 0-5 BEC Tero Sasana
Sri Racha 0-1 Nakon Rachasima FC
Lampun Warrior 0-0 Bangkok United (Lampun won 4-3 on pens)
Roi Et United 2-3 Buriram United
Chiang Rai FC 2-4 Krabi FC
Surin FC 0-5 Wuachon United
Udon Thani 0-2 Supanburi FC
Petchaburi FC 3-0 Chantaburi FC
Chayapum FC 0-1 TOT
Kasembundit University 1-2 Air Force United

Yesterday, Buriram United played their get out of jail card as they came from 2-0 down to salvage a 3-2 victory at Roi Et. With the game entering injury time, it was 2-1 to the White Squirrels, yet they were denied a historic upset as two last gasp goals kept the cup holders in the tournament.

BEC Tero and Wuachon both hit their second division opponents for five while TOT had it slightly tougher as they edged out Chayapum 1-0.

The only regional winners on day 2 were Samut Prakarn United, Petchaburi and Lampun Warriors. The wins for SPK United and Petchaburi could hardly be described as upsets as the beaten Division 1 teams, JW Rangsit and Chantaburi, both sit in the relegation zone. Lampun Warriors' 4-3 penalty victory over Bangkok United caused a few eye-brows to be raised although I'm sure the Bangkok Angels would gladly trade an early cup exit for promotion to the TPL.

Korat finished their cup tie at Sriracha with 9 men as Nikom and Paramet were dismissed for receiving two yellow cards. The fist half goal through captain, Anon, was the only goal of the match as the Swatcats won their third consecutive away game. Other first division sides, Suphanburi, Krabi, and Air Force also joined Korat in the hat.