Phetchabun FC produced a patient and ultimately convincing comeback to beat Banbueng 3-1 in the Thai FA Cup on 22 October 2026, turning an early setback into a place in the next round.

Played under the lights at the Phetchabun Provincial Stadium, the tie began with the visitors looking compact and dangerous on the break. Banbueng took a shock lead in the 18th minute when a quick counter-attack opened up the home defence and a low finish beat the goalkeeper at the near post. The goal silenced the home crowd, but it also sharpened Phetchabun’s urgency.

Match overview

Phetchabun gradually took control of possession and began to pin Banbueng deeper. The equaliser arrived four minutes before half-time, and it came from the kind of sustained pressure the hosts had been building. A recycled corner was worked back into the box, and captain Sarawut Thongchai arrived late to steer a header into the bottom corner.

After the break, Phetchabun moved up another gear. They pressed higher, won second balls in midfield, and created clear chances with regularity. The go-ahead goal came in the 57th minute after a neat exchange on the right flank, and the third arrived in the 78th minute to settle the contest.

Key moments

• 18’ – Banbueng take the lead: A fast break and a composed finish gave the visitors an unexpected advantage.
• 41’ – Phetchabun equalise: Sarawut Thongchai’s header from a corner made it 1-1 and changed the mood inside the stadium.
• 57’ – Hosts go ahead: A flowing move down the right ended with a close-range finish and put Phetchabun in front for the first time.
• 78’ – The tie is secured: Phetchabun’s third goal capped a dominant second-half spell and ended Banbueng’s resistance.

Tactical story

Phetchabun’s shift to a more aggressive 4-2-3-1 shape after the interval was the key tactical adjustment. In the first half, Banbueng’s deep block and quick transitions caused problems, but the home side began to overload the wide areas and attack the penalty box with more numbers after the break. Banbueng, forced to chase the game, left more space behind their midfield and were punished.

Standout players

Sarawut Thongchai was central to the comeback, scoring the equaliser and dictating the tempo from midfield. The Phetchabun goalkeeper also made an important save at 1-1 to prevent Banbueng from regaining the lead. For Banbueng, the opening goalscorer worked tirelessly, but the visitors’ defence could not hold out once the hosts increased the pace of their passing.

What the result means

The win sends Phetchabun FC into the next round of the Thai FA Cup and gives the squad a timely confidence boost. For Banbueng, the cup exit shifts the focus back to league commitments, where consistency will be the priority after a promising but ultimately frustrating cup run.