
Former champions Muang Thong United kicked off the Thai League 1 second leg with a 5-1 mauling of Lamphun Warriors in an away game on Saturday night.
Muang Thong striker Emil Roback grabbed a hat-trick, finding the net in the sixth, 37th and 79th minutes of the game, to help the Kirins pick up three points.
Sorawit Panthong (22) and Kakana Khamyok (59) also scored for the visitors while Fabio da Silva (72) was the lone scorer for the Warriors.
Roback said after the game: "It was a good game for us.
"The important thing is that we got three goals in the second half. I am very happy to have scored a hat-trick for my team."
Muang Thong will next play Rayong on Thursday at home.
At His Majesty the King 80th Anniversary Stadium, hosts Nakhon Ratchasima started the second leg with a heavy 3-0 defeat at the hands of Nakhon Pathom United.
Pheemphapob Viriyachanchai put Nakhon Pathom ahead after 28 minutes and Valdo added the second shortly before the break.
Nakhon Pathom got their third goal from Nopphakao Prachobklang in the 59th minute.
The Swat Cats were reduced to 10 men after 64 minutes when Nattapong Sayriya was booked for the second time in the match.
In other games on Saturday night, Ratchaburi edged hosts Uthai Thani 2-1 in a close tussle and fifth-ranked Sukhothai edged visiting cellar-dwellers Khon Kaen United 1-0.