Ratchaburi hope to salvage a point against Vissel Kobe in the AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday.
The Japanese side have won three in a row, while Ratchaburi have collected a single point. Their goalless draw with Kashiwa Reysol ended a two-match losing start, but head coach Worrawoot Srimaka admitted his side have plenty of room for improvement.
Ratchaburi remain winless in the competition and, without a marked change, face elimination at the first hurdle.
Kobe’s victory over South Korea’s Daejeon Hana Citizen equalled their longest continental winning streak. They have never lost to Thai opposition, winning two and drawing two, and coach Michael Skibbe will expect that to continue. Kick-off at Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium is at 5pm Thai time.
Port, beaten in their last three games, host Beijing FC in Pathum Thani at 7.15pm. Beijing, with seven points from three games, are well placed for the last 16, while Port were beaten 3-0 by Johor Darul Ta’zim last week.
Rayong suffer heavy defeat
Rayong’s slump deepened as they lost 4-0 at home to Lamphun Warriors on Sunday. It was their second successive defeat.
Lamphun led 3-0 by the interval through Christian Ilic in the sixth minute and a brace from Anderson da Silva, in the 30th and 37th minutes. Da Silva was sent off three minutes after the restart, but Mohammed Osman added a fourth in stoppage time.
Rayong coach Akkraporn Chalitaporn pointed to a lack of concentration. “We started the game not very well and conceded so quickly, which is a problem we have to improve,” he said. “We have not won in five games and we are in a difficult situation.”
At Thalay Luang Stadium, Sukhothai FC also lost 3-0 to Ayutthaya United on Sunday night. Thiti Thumporn’s own goal in the 72nd minute opened the scoring, Willen Mota doubled the lead in the 80th and Caique Lemes completed the win in stoppage time. Ayutthaya climbed to third on 13 points; Sukhothai remained 11th on nine.
Player abuse case
The Football Association of Thailand has firmly condemned racism after Kanchanaburi Power’s John Baggio was abused over his height by home supporters during a 2-2 Thai League 2 draw at Pattaya United.
In an official statement, the FAT said such behaviour, whether inside grounds or on social media, had no place in football. Association president Nualphan Lamsam has instructed the competitions department to gather evidence and begin disciplinary proceedings immediately.
Players found guilty of racist abuse face one to three-match bans and fines of 10,000 to 60,000 baht. Supporters can be fined 10,000 to 30,000 baht, with amplified or broadcast abuse costing up to 50,000 baht. Clubs whose fans display offensive banners risk fines of up to 100,000 baht and, for repeat offences, a three-point deduction.