Thai Port 2-4 Pattaya United

Three goals in the first thirty minutes won the game for Pattaya as they eventually ran out 4-2 winners over a defensively inadequate Thai Port.

The first of the Dolphins three early strikes came on 8 minutes when Rangsarit trundled a free kick under the jumping Thai Port wall past an unsuspecting Wanlop. From where I was positioned, it looked like Rangsarit mishit his free kick although I'm sure he'll claim that he practices placing the ball under the wall regularly in training.

Port had a couple of chances at the other end with Robb forcing Narat into a save, yet it was the guests who doubled their lead on 26 minutes. Good link up play in the midfield was followed up with a precise square pass from Dyachenko to find Keisuke Ogawa on the edge of the box. The Jap's left footed shot found the large gap created by an out of position Wanlop at the left hand post.

Within three minutes it was virtually game set and match as Ludo easily brushed off a beleaguered Termchai to race through on goal to make it 3-0 to Pattaya. That goal was the cue for some of the Klong Toei locals to head for the exits.

The home side had been making chances and they gave themselves a glimmer of daylight shortly before the break when Anusak pulled one back after being set up by a neat move involving Watson and Kiatjareon.

Pattaya wasted a guilt edged chance following another breakaway shortly after the interval and there were no takers for TP as Ruella's low cross raced across the front of the goal.

Just after the hour, it was squeaky bum time for the Dolphins as Thai Port reduced the deficit to one goal. A inswinging cross from Kritsada curled in at the back post past the stationary Narat. I can only assume that the incoming Anusak distracted the big keeper. On watching the replay of the goal, it really has to goal down as a goalkeeping mistake.

After that, Sarawut headed wide and Kritsada's shot hit the side netting as TP pressed for a dramatic equalizer.

The momentum was with the home side, but their comeback was dealt a blow on 73 minutes when Pattaya netted again to effectively end the contest. A slip by Mario da Silva allowed the impressive Dyanchenko to skip past him. The Russian then set up Ludo who neatly sidestepped Kiatjareon before calmly slotting in the bottom corner.

That was it as far as they goalscoring went as Pattaya held out comfortably to claim a valuable three points. Thai Port remain just above the bottom three, but with fixtures against BG (H), Buriram Utd (A) and BEC Tero (A) on the horizon, it's doubtful they'll be in that position for much longer.

Thai Port were managerless for this game and on today's evidence the first thing the new appointment will need to do is to sort out the defence. From a defensive point of view all four goals were preventable. Another thing that's needs to be addressed are the incessant flicks and tricks performed by Port attackers. Ludo and Dyachenko kept it simple for Pattaya and the rewards were greater for the Dolphins despite the fact that they had far less attempts on goal.

Chonburi win Kor Royal Cup after penalty shoot out

Kor Royal Cup Final
Buriram United 2-2 Chonburi (Chonburi win 4-3 on penalties)

A 95th minute goal from Ludovick Tatam with virtually the last kick off the game saw Chonburi come from two down to salvage a 2-2 draw with Buriram United in the Kor Royal Cup final. The Sharks then went onto to win the resultant penalty shoot-out 4-3 as they lifted the cup for the fourth time in five years.

The TPL champions started the game in the ascendancy and they could have scored twice in the first five minutes. Jirawat fired a shot across goal and Sintaweechai had to be alert to tip a Sumanya chip over the bar.

Buriram certainly were the better side in the opening period as they seemed to overrun the Chonburi midfield. The Sharks front two seemed isolated upfront as the league runners-up posed little threat.

It was no surprise when Buriram opened the scoring on the 31st minute. Theeratorn was given too much space to run through the Chonburi midfield. The youngster exchanged passes with Askar before his scuffed shot deflected off Diakite past the wrong footed Chonburi keeper, Sintaweechai. Teerathorn's shot looked like it was going wide and the goal should go down as an own goal in my opinion.

A couple of minutes later the lead was doubled when Frank Achaempong got his left boot to a Jirawat cross.

Chonburi had barely posed any shots on target, but they were back in the game as the half time interval approached. Adul pounced as Sivaruck's block with his legs fell kindly into his path after the Buriram keeper had denied Ludo.

The unwell Kazuto Kasido came on for the second half and with his arrival Chonburi began to improve. They held plenty of possession although they never really tested Sivaruk in the Buriram goal. Buriram meanwhile looked content to sit on their 2-1 lead as the clock slowly whittled down.

Just as the trophy engraver was getting ready to carve the letters "Buriram United" as 2012 winners, Ludo had other ideas as he swivelled in the six yard box to convert Chonlatit's cross.

The injury time leveller sent the match straight into penalties as no extra time was to be played.

The scoring of the penalties went: Jirawat (BU) miss, Diakite (Ch) goal, Suchao (BU) goal, Akarawin (Ch) miss, Theeratorn (BU) goal, Sukree (Ch) miss,  Prathum (BU) miss, Adul (Ch) goal, Ekwalla (BU) goal, Therdsak (Ch) goal, Ohandza (BU) miss, Kushido (Ch) goal

So it was Chonburi who lifted the Kor Royal Cup. For long periods off this game, that appeared unlikely. Buriram will regret not killing the tie off when they could have. Chonburi on the other hand will be delighted that they kept fighting right to the end. Next week both sides will open their respective TPL campaigns. I expect they'll relish doing battle again as the season progresses.