A goal in injury time broke the hearts of Air Force United and proved wrong any who doubted Muangthong's desire or ability to overcome a two-goal deficit from the first leg of this Toyota Cup game.
Air Force were seconds away from a dramatic victory on the away goals rule after they pulled the night's scoreline back to three-one after going three-nil down. Muangthong United - despite fielding a second-string side playing a rigid 4-5-1 formation - had blitzed the visitors with three goals in the opening fifteen minutes. I arrived late so I missed the first two goals. One was scored by Coulibaly Abdoul who also scored the third goal, a rebound in the six yard box.
The game then settled into a similar pattern to the FA Cup tie between these teams as Air Force enjoyed their fair share of possession but looked incapable. However, number twenty missed a golden chance in the second half when he was in a one-on-one with Phanphipat only to miss the goal completely, when hitting the target looked easier.
But perhaps Air Force sensed some complacency sinking into the home side and when the referee turned down what appeared to be a strong penalty claim for the underdogs and then made a poor decision against them, they galvanized. Moments later Air Force scored a superb goal that appeared to strike both the bar and the post, giving Phanphipat no chance.
The away side then decided to challenge Samut Prakan in the "most frequent fake injury" award competition, but Rene responded by bringing on Christian to join Rungsiyo in attack. The former player missed a great chance but seconds later -well into the five minutes of allocated injury time - Abdoul completed his hat trick and ensured that Muangthong march on to the next round of the cup. We are, technically, still in the running for four trophies this season.
Man of the match: He's been here five minutes, he was playing out of position as a defender and he scored a hat trick, including a last gasp rescue effort for his team. But then, I've already told you that Coulibaly Abdoul would go far, eh?
Line up:
1. Phanphipat (GK)
3. Pakasit (RB)
15. Abdoul (playing as CB)
5. Jetsada (CB, capt)
18. Nawapol (LB)
20. Thammanarm (RM)
23. Bantao (MD)
28. Zaizen(MD)
30. Narongchai(MD)
16. Nontadee (LM)
9. Rungsiyo (ST)
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