All games start at 6pm
For some reason the FA Cup third round fixtures are spread throughout July with the first batch taking place this weekend. The stand out fixture for fans in Bangkok is at the PAT Stadium where Thai Port host Bangkok Glass. Both teams will view the FA Cup as a good chance of silverware this year but one must bow out in Khlong Toey on Sunday. No second leg; no replay. A big crowd and intense atmosphere are expected, particularly as Port’s home games are now able to start at 6pm, instead of the early 4pm kick offs, after the floodlights at the PAT Stadium got an upgrade.
Also on Sunday, Muangthong play their fourth home game in a row as they welcome Samut Prakan United to the Yamaha Stadium. SPU, formerly known as Thai Summit, and going under the nickname of the Crab Devils, are currently mid-table in the Bangkok Division of the Regional League. It will be interesting to see if the possible arrival of new MTU Robbie Fowler draws in the crowds. Elsewhere, Police United are away at Osotspa-Saraburi on Saturday and BEC Tero Sasana play Regional League side Rayong FC on Sunday.
League Cup Round-up
Muangthong beat Kasetsart University 2-1 in the first leg of their round-of-16 Toyota League Cup at the Yamaha Stadium on Tuesday night. It could have been a more convincing win for MTU but for an inspired performance by KU goalkeeper Arthur Phillipe. However, the wonderfully nicknamed Emerald Nagas are riding high in the Bangkok Division of the Regional League and may fancy their chances of pulling off a shock in the return leg at KU in Chatuchak next Wednesday (13th) at 5pm. And on Wednesday night, Police United and Thai Port played out a 0-0 draw at the Thammasat Stadium. The second leg at the PAT Stadium takes place next Wednesday at 6pm.
Regional League Fixtures
Finally, a quick rundown of matches in and around the capital in the Bangkok Division in the absence of TPL and Division 1 matches. On Saturday, Nonthaburi FC are at home to Navy Fleet FC (5pm) and Assumption Thonburi host leaders Kasetsart University at The Pac Sports Center on Rama 2 in Samae Dam (6pm).
On Sunday, Thanyaburi RA are at home to Rajvithi at the Queen Sikrit Stadium in Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani (4pm). In Din Daeng, North Bangkok College entertain Thai Airways Luk Isaan at the Army Stadium (6pm), and Bangkok Christian play a derby match against Chamchuri United at the Thephasdin Stadium just a stone’s throw from National Stadium BTS (6pm).