Chanthaburi FC produced a composed away performance to beat Kasetsart FC 3-1 in the Thai FA Cup on Wednesday evening, advancing from a tie that stayed competitive until the visitors took control in the second half.

At Kasetsart’s home ground, the knockout format promised tension and the opening exchanges delivered it. Kasetsart started with energy in front of their supporters, pressing high and looking to force mistakes in Chanthaburi’s build-up. But the visitors weathered that early spell, grew into the match, and gradually imposed the sharper attacking rhythm that would decide the contest.

Match overview

Chanthaburi’s 3-1 victory was built on efficient finishing and a strong second-half response. The scoreline suggests comfort, yet the game was finely balanced for long periods. Kasetsart’s willingness to commit numbers forward created chances, but it also left space for Chanthaburi to counter with purpose. Once the away side regained the lead after the break, the match tilted firmly in their favour.

The Thai FA Cup result sends Chanthaburi into the next round with momentum, while Kasetsart are left to reflect on a cup exit that featured enough positive spells to make the final score frustrating.

Key moments

• 27th minute – Chanthaburi take the lead. Nattapong Srisai finished a quick counter-attack, arriving at the edge of the box to guide a low effort beyond the Kasetsart goalkeeper after a neat exchange down the right.
• 42nd minute – Kasetsart equalise. The hosts responded well, and Thanawat Khamsuk powered home a header from a wide free-kick to send the home crowd into the interval with renewed belief.
• 58th minute – Chanthaburi retake control. Teerapat Chaiyaporn converted from the penalty spot after a foul inside the area, restoring the visitors’ advantage at a crucial stage of the match.
• 76th minute – The tie is settled. Kittipong Boonmee sealed the win with a composed finish on the break, capping a move that exposed Kasetsart as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

Tactical story

Kasetsart’s plan was clear early on: press aggressively, win the ball in Chanthaburi’s half, and deliver early crosses into the box. It worked in patches, especially before the equaliser, but the hosts struggled to sustain that intensity after the restart. Chanthaburi, by contrast, became more compact and more dangerous as the game opened up. Their midfield screen protected the back line and their wide players consistently found space when Kasetsart’s full-backs advanced.

The decisive tactical shift came in the second half, when Chanthaburi began winning second balls and turning defence into attack more quickly. That approach produced the penalty and the late third goal, and it kept Kasetsart from building the sustained pressure they needed.

Standout performers

Teerapat Chaiyaporn was central to Chanthaburi’s win, showing composure from the penalty spot and linking play intelligently between midfield and attack. Nattapong Srisai’s opener set the tone, while Kittipong Boonmee’s late goal underlined the visitors’ ruthlessness on the counter. For Kasetsart, Thanawat Khamsuk’s header was the highlight of a committed individual display, but the hosts lacked the same cutting edge in the final third.

What the result means

Chanthaburi move on in the Thai FA Cup with a performance that will boost belief in their knockout credentials. Kasetsart exit knowing that the margin was shaped by small details: a penalty conceded at a bad moment, a counter-attack conceded late, and an inability to convert their best spells into goals. In cup football, those details are often the difference between progress and elimination.