Ratchaburi FC finally ended their barren spell in the AFC Champions League Two, producing a commanding performance to crush Eastern SC of Hong Kong 5-1 at Dragon Solar Park on Wednesday night.
The star of the night was Brazilian forward Denilson Pereira Junior, who delivered a dazzling hat-trick that electrified the home supporters and propelled Ratchaburi into third place in Group F and kept their knockout stage hopes alive.
For Eastern, the result marked a fourth consecutive defeat, leaving them stranded at the bottom of the standings with little to cheer about.
The Dragons wasted no time stamping their authority on the contest.
Barely two minutes after kick-off, Denilson slipped a clever through ball to Tana Chanabut, who calmly slotted home to hand the hosts an early advantage.
Ratchaburi continued to press, and their persistence paid off again in the 39th minute. Jesse Curran surged down the right flank before squaring across goal for Denilson, who finished from close range to double the lead.
At half-time, the scoreboard read 2-0, and the home side looked firmly in control.
The second half only underlined Ratchaburi’s superiority.
In the 49th minute, Denilson broke free of the defence and coolly beat the goalkeeper for his second of the evening.
Just seven minutes later, Njiva provided the assist for Denilson to complete his hat-trick, stretching the margin to 4-0 and sending the crowd into raptures.
Eastern managed a brief response in the 74th minute when Yu Okubo headed in a consolation goal, but Ratchaburi had the final say. With one minute of normal time remaining, Singapore international Ikhsan Fandi added a fifth, sealing a comprehensive 5-1 triumph.
The victory handed Ratchaburi their first three points of the campaign and renewed optimism in their push to progress from Group F.
Eastern, by contrast, remain winless and face an uphill battle to restore pride in the matches ahead.
Port face Kirins
Port will host Muang Thong United in the Thai League 1 today.
Port, under coach Alexandre Gama, have won their last two matches and are currently fifth in the 16-team league standings.
Gama will have a fully fit squad led by Peeradol Chamrasamee, Worachit Kanitsribumphen and Suphanan Bureerat.
Muang Thong, coached by Rangsan Viwatchaichok, will be desperate for a victory after three successive draws.