Rasisalai United Matches 2025-26

 Rasisalai United 3 Sisaket United 3 (Thursday 28th August 2025) Thai League 2 (att: 4,458)

An incredible experience for which I ran out of superlatives long before the end of filming clips for my video. To have two sides from my adopted province put on such a display was a pleasure to witness on an occasion that will live long in the memory.

Unprecedented queues of traffic waiting to access the complex from the main road, the full car park and chaotic parking thereafter, the size of the crowd, the happy vibes, the vendors doing roaring trades, fans mixing freely and having fun, the weather holding off after days of heavy rain, and then, of course, the football.

Rasi on top before the speedy Steeven Langil broke and finished brilliantly for Sisaket, who doubled their lead when the Frenchman set up Sarawut Thorarit after half an hour. The hosts were somehow kept at bay by the post and bar in an attacking move near the break.

Coach Arnon weaved his magic at the interval, as he often does, with his troops reducing the arrears within seven minutes through a header from the ever-impressive Natchanon Yongsakool. How he and his twin, Nattapon, have not been picked up by a T1 club is incredible, though it probably says much about the spirit at Rasisalai, where many players have been there several seasons.

Langil broke through again midway through the second period to finish with aplomb, and that in normal circumstances would have been that, with an away win following. However, Rasi never fails to create chances. Alberto Gouvea reduced the arrears soon after with a header after fine work from fellow Brazilian Gilberto Macena.

The noise around us was deafening, not least from the racket being made by the partner of Gouvea and the wife and son of defender Ramon behind us. Sisaket were tiring, notably defender Pakornkiat Kaena, who had been outstanding earlier. Perhaps the bulk he had put on was slowing him down.

The game was levelled in the most unlikely of ways. A hopeful ball towards the edge of the Sisaket box was somehow volleyed into his own net by the substitute, Tiwa Piswai, severely piswaiing off many in the busy away section. It was perhaps fitting that such an entertaining game was levelled up so comically. It was certainly well worth the 60 THB ticket.

There was still drama in stoppage time as Fellipe Veloso was denied on the line, and then keeper Sakkongpop Sukprasert pounced on another effort. Seconds later, the inconsistent ref, Kanoksak Khiaodaeng, who added to it all, blew the full-time whistle, as players fell to the ground, and we gradually made our way out of the stadium and went slowly back to the main road. Incredible.

Rasisalai United 3 Chanthaburi 0 (Sunday 14th September 2025) Thai League 2 (att: 1,164)

What turned out to be quite a regulation victory as unbeaten Rasi defeated a limited but well set up visiting team, who defended deep and in depth. The first half was quite dull as Chanthaburi denied the home team much space to get in behind, which they are adept at exploiting.

Not too much to talk about until ten minutes into the second half. Gilberto Macena was adamant that a defender had handled in the box, but play continued until the ref got a message from VAR to look at the screen. He pointed to the spot, and Macena slotted home.

We were hoping that Chanthaburi would change tack. They made a couple of subs, but they hardly mustered any shots, despite Rodrigo Maranhão doing a lot of hard work. Much of them being kept at bay was thanks to defender Ramon Mesquita, who had an excellent game, which was probably as well. Rasi had their second-choice goalie, Phumeworapol Wannabutr, between the sticks.

If ever a more butterfingered custodian has been let loose in professional football, I’d be astonished. He appeared to be frightened to death and consequently flapped at everything. A second penalty for handball was awarded, wrongly in my book by the ref, who, it would seem, knows the laws but not the game, like so many of his modern peers. Macena put it away. Ramon finished things off with an unmarked bullet header from a corner six minutes from time.

An excellent day out, starting with 9 holes of golf on a semi-waterlogged course. Guinness and pizza, and then the match. Eclectic and entertaining company, including a professor of science, a former Netherlands softball Olympic team manager, a couple of Sisaket United’s overseas stars, plus Rasisalai WAGS and the son of Ramon.

Great fun, and the promise of another double header the following week. My trainers might be dry by then for more golf.

Rasisalai United 2 Police Tero 1 (Saturday 27th September 2025) Thai League 2 (att: 1,246)

A fantastic game of football between two good teams. A 92nd-minute winner sends Rasi three points ahead at the top of the table. Could top-tier football be heading to Sisaket? It will take a good team, or injuries and suspensions to their star players, to stop them.

Both sides went for it toe to toe for the opening half hour, with a few shots being fired at either goal, before the prolific Alberto Gouvea finally got the better of his marker Pitchitchai Sienkrathok to fire excellently into the top corner past Anipong Kijkam, who, as the game went on, looked less than confident.

Me and my old Tero mate, Shiro

After a VAR check for offside, the goal was given, while those at the desk looked at two potential penalties without summoning the excellent referee, Kriangkrai Thiphanunjarukorn. Refs and VAR teams have recently been sent on a course and have been quicker and more decisive since.

It was all square just before the break when central defender Ramon tried to clear from near the line, cannoning the ball against a teammate, which fell at the feet of Veeraphong Aon-pean. He made no mistake from a few yards out, much to the joy of the 30 or so from Bangkok in the away section behind the goal.

Both sides played excellent football at times in the second half. Twins Natchanon and Nattapon Yongsakool were as excellent as ever in midfield, while veteran forward Gilberto Macena was as clever as ever, closely marked by the excellent Isaac Honny. Macena must have been some player when younger.

It looked like it would end level, and that would have been about fair enough, but successful teams often dig deep to find something extra. A cross was cleverly volleyed home at the near post by Nattapon. Tero threw everything forward, but Rasi held out.

A really good vibe as ever, inside and outside the stadium, aided by being in excellent company in the best seats, after a pre-match in The Londoner sports pub watching an earlier T3 game, enjoying happy hour Guinness with a soundtrack to the 80s/90s/00s on in the background.

Rasisalai United 3 Pattani 2 (Sunday 19th October 2025) Thai League 2 (att: 1,249)

Another extremely entertaining game between the sides who served up a classic in the playoffs a few months earlier, as Rasisalai continued their incredible run to maintain their place at the top of the table.

They went 3-0 up, playing quality attacking football with Nattapon outstanding in midfield, scoring two and setting up the other goal for Alberto Gouvea. Yet, it wouldn’t be a Rasi game without them conceding. Pattani are lamentable at the back but always look to attack. They grabbed goals back through Ekkachai Samre and Chukid Wanpraphao, leading to a nervy final eight minutes.

Special mention to both goalies who made some excellent saves but also let in a goal apiece they’d probably rather forget. Only suspension and injury will stop Rasi in my view. Regular goalie Sakkongpop was on the bench for some reason for this encounter. He must play.

The day was enhanced as ever by beers, snacks, great company, and being able to watch sports action in the Londoner before trying to navigate the flood that hasn’t been repaired for months outside the Sisaket SAT Stadium.

Rasisalai United 2 Trat 2 - at Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium (Saturday 1st November 2025) Thai League 2 (att: 1,087)

Top of the table Rasi were not at their best, grabbing a point in the ninetieth minute with a VAR-awarded penalty in a game that they were expected to win. Plenty of advice was offered to the referee and his timekeeping at the end. Fines would be arriving, no doubt, as the lady owner lost her discipline alongside several players.

 

Trat went ahead through a great individual goal from the impressive Myanmar forward, Than Paing. The ‘home’ side levelled up shortly after half-time through Wichit Kongsinkaew, who finished a low cross at the near post. Rasi’s defence went walkabout once again, allowing sub, Crislan Henrique put the visitors ahead before Gilberto Macena’s late spot kick.

The game was played at the Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium, home of neighbours Sisaket United, as Rasi’s home was under repair after a concert where 20,000 attended the previous weekend, damaging the pitch. A muted atmosphere in most parts as spectators adhered to requests to continue showing respect to the passing of Queen Sirikit.

Rasisalai United 2 Kasetsart 1 (Sunday 30th November 2025) Thai League 2 (att: 958)

A valuable late stoppage time winner on the volley from Alberto Gouvea, who latched onto a smart flicked header from a cross, took unbeaten Rasisalai back to the top of the table, as temperatures warmed up again following a week of cold weather. Temperatures had dropped to as low as 15 degrees at times.

The goal could have been argued to be unfair on the visitors who put in a fine shift and had themselves equalised with three minutes remaining. Jaeyong Lee rose to head home from a corner to momentarily silence the home crowd.

This was after a fine near-post header from bustling forward Wichit Kongsinkaew four minutes before half-time. Otherwise, it was a game of few chances, which was well refereed. Excellent company, a decent feed, lots of beer and whisky around the game and back home meant it was a very good way to celebrate living in Thailand for four years. I certainly slept well.

Rasisalai United 1 Chiangmai United 0 (Sunday 7th December 2025) Thai League 2 (att: 1,256)

An easy enough win for Rasi, who extended the lead at the top of the table to four points, but more importantly, twelve over their neighbours Sisaket United, placed in third after the weekend. A well-worked goal headed in by Supab Muengchan did the job.

Chiangmai United failed to register a shot on target throughout despite playing some reasonable stuff, with the hosts Gilberto Macena missing a VAR-awarded penalty in the closing stages. A decent crowd in attendance, but it lacked the intensity generated the previous evening.

Another good day out with golf, great food, drink, and excellent company before returning to the long grass and some healthy living for a week.

Rasisalai United 3 Nakhonsi United 0 (Wednesday 4th February 2026) Thai League 2 (att: 1,029)

Late drama, as table-topping Rasisalai, without a win in three games, were drawing 0-0 in the 86th minute, scored three times, while second-placed Police Tero were getting pumped 4-1 away to Chiangmai United.

The game changed when midfielder Nattapon Yongsakool was introduced ten minutes into the second half. Still missing his injured twin, he transformed the attacking intent of the hosts, boosted further twelve minutes later when forward Wichit Kongsinkaew came on.

It was he who headed home the opener, followed by a near-post finish from Gilberto Macena from a corner and then a penalty from Alberto Gouvea in stoppage time. We headed away even happier after an already good day of golf, food, beer and meeting new friends, while my whisky hip flask got a working over at the match.

Total respect to the 11 Nakhonsi fans on a herculean trip to cheer on their team on a midweek night. One on a tannoy and another banging a drum, their support was outstanding. 1,354km (841 miles) each way.

Rasisalai United 2 Songkhla 0 (Saturday 14th February 2026) Thai League 2 (att: 1,345)

The march to the title and promotion continues. A really good match devoid mostly of theatrics, thanks to the superb referee Wathanyu Morin, about the best I’ve seen in Thailand, along with both sides who played properly, knowing they wouldn’t be getting away with anything.

This was exemplified by the dreaded VAR poking its nose in when Somyot scored Rasi’s second goal late on. They advised Wathanyu to go to the screen, which he did, and then gave the goal. More of this, please. Credit too to the 14 away fans travelling 1,500 km each way.

Songkhla were the better side in the second half, going behind to a header from Birthday twin Nattapon, superbly set up by Aphisit after thirty-eight minutes. Veteran home goalie Sakkongpop had a marvellous game, making some vital stops. Big defender Alex Flavio stood out for the visitors.

My Roving Report Video for A Thai Football Podcast

Poor quality golf, superb quality food and beers in an otherwise fully reserved Leo’s before a stop in Craft and Cold, which had a buy one get one free offer on their taps. I think the locally brewed cocoa stout and cocoa porter were as good as I’ve sampled from them. Excellent company to boot on a hot day!

Rasisalai United 0 Pattaya United 1 (Sunday 22nd February 2026) Thai League 2 (att: 1,459)

Astonishing, action-packed, controversial, passions boiling over, the lady owner on the pitch, the ref needing police protection, goals overruled by VAR, and plenty more going on. An incredible weekend as the four teams at the top of the table all lost. To give it its deserved justice, I’ve written something more in-depth via the link below for those interested.

https://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/forums/threads/wdyg-thailand.16291/post-400921

Rasisalai United 3 Nakhonpathom United 0 (Tuesday 3rd February 2026) Thai League 2 (att: 1,879)

A thoroughly comprehensive win from the leaders as they pressurised their opponents before calmly putting away their chances.

A fine back header from Nattapon after half an hour was added to by a quality finish from Alberto Gouvea just before the hour was up. His low cross was deflected into his own net by Pitipol in the fourth minute of stoppage time to put the icing on the cake. Pathom had zero efforts on goal.

Sisaket, who were away to Bangkok FC, also benefited from an own goal in the last minute of their game, securing a 2-1 win. This was after their geriatric coaching team upset the officials, with the head coach being sent to the stands. Possibly for crimes against fashion and his awful tactics on the road.

It was a very hot day. Golf eventually OK, then a visit to a restaurant off the beaten track for a fine meal and to beat the religious day booze ban, news of which didn’t appear to reach the stadium vendors either.

Rasisalai United 3 Mahasarakham SBT 0 (Saturday 18th April 2026) Thai League 2 (att: 4,132)

A great occasion at the SAT Stadium in Sisaket, and what turned into a simple win once Marasarkham gave their best efforts with a storm at their backs in the first half.

Once Wichit scored after the break, there was only ever going to be one result. He doubled the lead before the ref went to the VAR monitor to award a penalty. I didn’t think there was too much in it, but the player who was collided with, Alberto Gouvea, picked himself up to round things off in fine style.

Then we had the presentation ceremony, which ran surprisingly efficiently, with a cheque for 5 million THB (£115,550) handed over, along with the medals and the Thai League 2 trophy, all greeted by fireworks. All of which is covered in Rob's Roving Report for A Thai Football Podcast.

A good day out, including shopping, golf, pizza, beer, and friendships old and new being acquainted. A big crowd and all the razzamatazz associated with such days. Not hugely my scene, but nice to celebrate. Interesting times ahead next season.