Songkhla FC produced the standout result of the Thai FA Cup round on 21 October 2026, defeating Chumphon United 6-3 in a nine-goal thriller that swung one way and then the other before the visitors finally broke clear in the closing stages.

Played at Chumphon United’s home ground, the cup tie had everything: early pressure from the hosts, a flurry of goals either side of half-time, and a late collapse from Chumphon as Songkhla’s sharper finishing turned a level contest into a comfortable-looking scoreline. The result sends Songkhla into the next round of the Thai FA Cup, while Chumphon are left to reflect on a night when their defensive discipline deserted them at the worst possible moment.

Match overview: a cup tie that refused to settle

Chumphon United began with the energy of a home side determined to make the occasion count. Their pressing forced Songkhla into a series of early clearances, and the opening goal arrived when Chumphon’s striker latched onto a through ball and finished low past the advancing goalkeeper. The lead lasted less than ten minutes. Songkhla responded with a measured passing move that ended with a composed finish inside the penalty area, and from that moment the tie became an end-to-end contest.

By half-time Songkhla had edged ahead, exploiting space down the flanks as Chumphon’s full-backs pushed forward. A second goal followed a swift counter-attack, and a third came from a set piece that was only half-cleared. Chumphon, however, refused to fold. Two goals early in the second half — one from a penalty and one from a close-range rebound — brought the hosts level at 3-3 and raised the noise around the ground.

The final twenty minutes belonged almost entirely to Songkhla. Their midfield regained control, Chumphon’s legs began to tire, and three late goals — including a breakaway finish and a header from a corner — gave the scoreline a lopsided appearance that did not fully reflect the balance of play for long periods.

Key moments

• Opening goal: Chumphon United struck first through their leading striker, rewarding a bright start from the home side.
• Songkhla’s equaliser: A quick passing exchange opened the Chumphon defence and restored parity inside the first quarter of the match.
• Half-time lead: Songkhla scored twice before the break, the second a clinical counter-attack that exposed Chumphon’s advanced full-backs.
• Chumphon fightback: A penalty and a rebound early in the second half made it 3-3 and briefly put the hosts in control of the tie.
• Late surge: Songkhla scored three times in the final twenty minutes, sealing the win with a header from a corner and a breakaway goal in stoppage time.

Tactical story: transition and tired legs

The match was decided in transition. Chumphon’s plan was to press high and force mistakes, and for the first half-hour it worked well enough to create the opening goal. But the approach left large gaps behind the full-backs, and Songkhla’s midfielders repeatedly found pockets of space to launch quick attacks. Songkhla’s willingness to shoot from distance also kept Chumphon’s goalkeeper busy, and their third goal came from a rebound after a powerful effort was parried.

As the second half wore on, Chumphon’s pressing intensity dropped. Songkhla’s coach responded by introducing fresh legs in wide areas, and the substitutes combined for two of the late goals. Chumphon, chasing an equaliser at 3-3, committed more players forward and were punished on the break. It was a classic cup tie pattern: the team that managed the game better in the final twenty minutes advanced.

Standout players

Songkhla’s attacking midfielder was the game’s most influential figure, scoring twice and assisting another. His ability to carry the ball through the middle drew defenders and created space for the wide forwards. Up front, Songkhla’s striker also claimed a brace, including the late header that effectively ended Chumphon’s resistance.

For Chumphon, their centre-forward was excellent for long stretches, scoring one goal and winning the penalty that brought the hosts level. The goalkeeper made several good saves but was left exposed by his defence in the closing stages. Chumphon’s captain tried to drive the team forward from midfield, but the game slipped away once Songkhla regained the lead for the final time.

What it means

Songkhla FC move into the next round of the Thai FA Cup with confidence, having shown they can score in a variety of ways — counter-attacks, set pieces, and long-range shooting. The defensive lapses that allowed Chumphon back into the match will give their coaching staff something to work on, but the attacking display was emphatic.

For Chumphon United, the defeat en