Dateline 3^rd August 2019

 FT Muang Thong United 2 NRFC 0

Attendance; 9639

As the match began, Muang Thong started to put visitors under early pressure, with Cunningham forced to save with his feet early on, then Chappuis shot inches wide with a low drive.

The half progressed and as the visitor’s defence settled, they continued to hold their own against a talented home side. With 30 minutes gone, the Kirin’s were struggling to make the most of their early pressure and any Korat forward play was rare and relatively harmless.

 Assumpcao fluffed a chance when he was put clear in the 38^th minute but his contact with the ball was weak and the keeper saved. The Kirin’s countered and Heberty brilliantly stroked a free kick into the net to give the home side the lead. In further, late drama, a curling chip shot from Derley came close to doubling the lead.

In truth, this was an uninspiring half, finishing with the Kirin’s deservedly one up.

The second half started with the Swatcats probing forward but in a game becoming a battle of few chances, a rare one came in the 60^th minute when an Amadou cross was deflected onto the bar then Henri headed the rebound over from one yard out.

Assumpcao then held off two defenders to force the home keeper into action then Cunningham reciprocated when he brought off a world class save to keep the marauding Kirins at bay.

With Muang Thong still not creating much and the Swatcat threat minimal, the game was heading for a one goal victory but a snap shot from Henry almost gained the visitors a point when it rippled the side netting.

With time running out, a surprise second for the Kirins when Chalermpong was robbed of the ball just outside the box and Heberty slotted into the net.

Well, an uninspiring encounter with not much creative soccer in view. The Swatcats? Stout defence at times, little up front, outperformed by a superior side, that’s about the sum of it.

Match Day 22 Stats