Chiang Rai United make it two with FA Cup win

Chiang Rai United make it two with FA Cup win

Beetles edge Buriram to earn place in ACL play-offs

Chiang Rai United players celebrate after a 3-2 victory over Buriram United in the FA Cup final at Supachalasai Stadium on Saturday.
Chiang Rai United players celebrate after a 3-2 victory over Buriram United in the FA Cup final at Supachalasai Stadium on Saturday.

Chiang Rai United on Saturday night presented their departing coach Alexandre Gama with a memorable gift by lifting their second trophy of the season, the FA Cup, and also making the qualifying play-offs of Asia's top club competition next year.

The Beetles weathered everything Thai League 1 winners Buriram United could hurl at them at Bangkok's Supachalasai Stadium to record a 3-2 victory thanks to a hat-trick by Brazilian striker Bill Rosimar.

It was a 72nd-minute striker by Bill that sealed the Beetles' place in the 2019 AFC Champions League play-offs.

Buriram, who lifted the Thai League 1 trophy earlier this month, have already been granted a place in the group stage of the Asian tournament.

Only a few minutes into the match, defending champions Chiang Rai rocked Buriram's plans when a spectacular counter-attack ended with Brazilian William Henrique setting up his compatriot Bill to score from close range.

The Thunder Castle switched to attack mode and Diogo Luis Santo fired a shot over the bar.

Buriram suffered another shock when they saw their otherwise-prolific Diogo miss from the spot on 13 minutes.

Sarawut Innpan fouled Osvaldo Filho inside the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Diogo came up but Chiang Rai goalkeeper Chatchai Butprom, the hero of the Beetles' triumph over Bangkok Glass in the League Cup final last week, got his dive right to punch away the spot kick.

Buriram had the control of the game and a 21st-minute miss by Supachai Chaided was followed by an equaliser, added to the scoresheet by Osvaldo four minutes later.

Chiang Rai were in no mood to make things easier for the Thai League 1 champions as they continued to look ominous on counter-attacks.

In the 38th minute, Chiang Rai earned a penalty after a consultation led to Venezuelan defender Andres Tunez being found guilty of tripping Williams. Bill gladly converted the spot kick to give the Beetles a 2-1 at the half-time.

Sasalak Haiprakhon was fouled by Suriya Singmui five minutes after the break and another trip to the VAR station resulted in one more plenty for Buriram, which Diogo converted to make it 2-2.

The FA Cup winners took home five million baht and the runners-up one million baht.

Thai youth eye history

Thailand need a win over Qatar in the AFC U19 Championship quarter-finals today to book their place in the Fifa U20 World Cup.

The top four sides in the Asian youth tournament in Indonesia will be guaranteed tickets to the global extravaganza in Poland next year.

Qatar topped the Group A table while Thailand moved into the last eight round after claiming second spot in Group B.

Thailand coach Ithsara Sritharo said his side has been motivated by the chance of becoming the first men's team from the country to reach the Fifa U20 World Cup.

"Everyone in the team is psyched up because we are in with an opportunity to make history," he said.

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