Thai League 1 leaders BG Pathum United were eliminated from the FA Cup at the hands of Muangthong United, while the other big sides progressed to the last 16 in a round featuring four all-T1 clashes.

Muangthong United became the first side to defeat BG Pathum United in 2020, as the league’s only remaining unbeaten side crashed out of the FA Cup. The hosts came into this game under pressure, winless in three and fresh off a defeat to arch-rivals Port FC in midweek.

However, the Kirin struck first through Sardor Mirzaev, who found himself in acres of space in the box and slid the ball past Chatchai Budprom to give his side the lead. However, Muangthong struggled to retain possession as the game progressed, falling victim to BG’s energetic and disciplined midfield press, and spent most of the second period defending their own box. A header from Andres Tunez on 65 minutes levelled the game, which would go into extra time.

With the momentum against them, the Kirin looked to find space and hurt BG on the counter. They eventually had their moment when Suporn Peenagatapho, who was shifted over to left-back, managed to cut inside onto his stronger foot and unleash a shot which sailed beyond Chatchai and into the top corner. Muangthong then held on during a very nervy second of extra time to seal the 2-1 victory and progress to the last 16.

Buriram picked up a much needed home win against top-tier when they hosted Police Tero. Jakkaphan Kaewprom converted Gidi Kanyuk’s deflected corner kick to open the scoring, forcing Tero to open up and paving the way for goals from Supachai Jaided and Supachok Sarachat to round out a 4-0 win. Elsewhere, round’s final all-T1 match saw the in-form Ratchaburi FC dispatch relegation strugglers Rayong FC 3-1 thanks to a brace from Apiwat Pengprakon and a goal from Sittichok Kannoo.

Most T1 sides had no issue little trouble dispatching lower-tier opposition this weekend. Bangkok United put seven past T3’s Chiangrai City, while Port fired six past Customs United at the PAT Stadium. Trat managed a 5-2 win on the road against Pluakdaeng United, while Suphanburi hit four away at Lampang. Samut Prakan City used a full-strength side to get past third-tier side Maejo United, while Chonburi registered a 2-1 win away against Lamphun Warrior FC.

The only top division club eliminated by lower-tier opposition was Prachuap, who were beaten by T2 leaders Nongbua Pitchaya FC. The Gamecocks were able to carry their excellent league form (which has seen them win 11 and draw 4 of their 15 games thus far) into the cup, with Rakpong Chumuang and Tiago Chulapa finding the net to eliminate the Killer Wasps and advance to the next round. They will be joined by Chiangmai FC as T2’s representatives in the next round.

Impressively, four T3 sides are in the hat for the last 16, though only one was forced to beat a higher-tier opponent. Udon United, the unbeaten leaders of the Northeast Division, sprung a surprise with a 2-0 home win over second-tier Siam Navy FC. West Division leaders Muangkan United had no issues dispatching amateur side Don Mueang Police, while Muang Loei United and Songkhla FC emerged victorious in all-T3 clashes against Bang Pa-in Ayutthaya FC and Wat Bot City respectively.

The only game of this round left to be played is between Sukhothai and Chiangrai, as the latter are yet to return from their AFC Champions League adventure in Qatar. Regardless of the winner, 10 of the 16 teams in the hat for the next round will be from the top tier as the competition continues to heat up.