The final of the League Cup football tournament, Thailand's third major cup which has been renamed the “Muang Thai Cup” for the 2025/26 season, took place for the first time under this new name.
It ended with the “Singha Chao Ta” squad, Port FC, achieving their long-awaited championship victory.
They united to edge out their rivals, the “The Rabbit” BG Pathum United, with a 1-0 scoreline.
The sole goal was a sharp strike by Lucas Costa, also known as Lucas Tocantins, the speedy Brazilian winger, scored in the middle of the first half.
Overall, in this match, it was clear that Port FC players performed better in the first half.
They dominated the attacking play and relentlessly pressured BG Pathum's defense, which appeared disorganized and struggled to find their rhythm.
Especially notable was the midfield's lack of a commanding presence to direct and turn the game around.
This was due to the absence of their key player, “Captain Jay” Chanathip Songkrasin, who was injured and had to watch from the stands.
One could say the Rabbit team's football right now is like “without Jay, it’s like losing heart,” exactly as it is!
As for their forwards, who were expected to rely on the sharpness of their “Made in Japan” strikers, it just didn’t quite work out.
They couldn’t match the flow of the second half after bringing on Thai players such as Sarach Yooyen, Patrick Gustavsson, and Surachart Sareepimp to fight on.
The game looked smoother with some chances to equalize, but the final touches were not sharp enough.
So, the trophy was awarded to Singha Chao Ta to celebrate their championship in full swing, as is customary.
This marks their first major trophy win in seven years, their last being the 2019 FA Cup.
Their first League Cup title dates back a full 16 years.
That was the 2010 Toyota League Cup during the era when “Coach Tia” Sasom Pobprasert was the head coach.
Besides the 5 million baht prize money, this Muang Thai Cup championship also grants...
the top team from Khlong Toei a slot to compete in the ASEAN club competition, the Shopee Cup.
This season has been extraordinarily successful for Port FC.
They finished as Thai League runners-up, their best placement ever in the top tier.
They earned the right to participate in the AFC Champions League Elite group stage for 2026-27, alongside Buriram United and the FA Cup champions.
On top of that, they lifted the Muang Thai Cup to cap off the season with a happy ending.
The final match created many memorable moments at Thammasat Stadium.
Among them was the large turnout of fans supporting both beloved clubs, flooding the venue with 16,807 spectators.
It was an outstanding professional football atmosphere, something rarely seen in Thailand nowadays.
Another highlight was the legendary Port FC player, Praphat Chamrasmee, who presented the winning trophy.
He handed it to “Captain New Cham,” Peeradorn Chamrasmee, his beloved son, who proudly celebrated the championship on the podium.
Also notable was “Madam Pang” Nualphan Lamsam, head of Thai football, who brought her father, Potipong Lamsam, Port FC’s club chairman, to support the team at the stadium.
The iron lady president then presented the trophy and warmly congratulated the players and Singha Chao Ta fans.
Whether some see this as “drama” or question its appropriateness is up to interpretation.
But to me, this is the natural passion of football lovers at every level, who always have a team they love and feel most connected to.
Even the “association president” naturally has a favorite team as well.
I only hope that when performing their duties for the association, they act as a “leader” who supports and cares for all clubs equally.
Finally, regarding this Muang Thai Cup victory,
the coach Sarawut Tripan seems to have been mentioned very little.
Yet this “Coach Ood” played a crucial role in leading Singha Chao Ta to real success this year.
Especially by stepping in seamlessly after Coach Alexandre Gama had to leave suddenly due to illness.
He filled gaps, fixed weaknesses, and enhanced the strengths of the Port players until the squad was complete.
This is proven by their nearly constant wins during the season’s final stretch.
He was recently awarded Thai League Coach of the Month for April–May.
With such excellent achievements, other teams would likely have extended his contract for the next season.
But here at “Pat Stadium,” I’m unsure what the management’s policy is regarding “coaches.”
Port FC’s Muang Thai Cup championship is well deserved and suits the club perfectly, in every respect.
But whether “Coach Ood” is worthy to be the permanent coach of the Khlong Toei club is hard to predict.
It remains very uncertain!!!
- Bee Bangpakong -