CHIANG RAI – A tense and gripping night at Singha Stadium ended with Chiangrai United fighting back to secure a valuable 1-1 draw against in-form Port FC in Thai League 1 on Saturday. The result keeps the Swallows firmly in the chase for a top-six place, in a match that showcased grit and spirit more than pure attacking flair.
Port FC, fourth in the table and pushing for an AFC Champions League spot, drew first blood in the 23rd minute through Indonesian star Asnawi Mangkualam. Usually a right-back, the former Persija Jakarta defender lined up on the left and charged forward during a swift counter-attack.
He then smashed a stunning 25-yard strike into the top corner, leaving Chiangrai goalkeeper Apirak Woravong with no chance. It was a goal made for highlight reels, sharp and unstoppable, and another example of why Port boasts one of the most dangerous attacks in the league, with an away scoring rate of 1.76 goals per game.
The home crowd of more than 12,000 fans in the 16,000-seat ground fell quiet for a moment after the opener. Chiangrai, guided by coach Yodyadthai, did not panic. Sitting seventh after a solid 2-0 win over Nakhon Ratchasima in their previous outing, the Swallows grew into the game and took control after the break. They pressed high, kept the ball well, and forced Port deeper and deeper.
Their pressure paid off in the 67th minute. Brazilian striker Carlos Iury timed his run perfectly and climbed above his marker to meet a superb cross from Montree Promsawat. His thumping header flew past Port keeper Farus Patee and into the net for his fifth goal of the season. The roar from the stands rolled across the cool evening air of Chiang Rai and felt like a release for the home fans.
“We knew Port would come at us early,” Yodyadthai said after the match, his voice worn from 90 minutes on the touchline. “But the lads kept their heads. That equaliser came from belief and hard work. This group has fighters, and they showed it tonight.”
He also picked out Promsawat for praise, pointing to the midfielder’s quality from wide areas, which has lifted the team in recent weeks.
On the opposite bench, Port’s Belgian coach José Alves Boto cut a frustrated figure. “We created enough, we scored a great goal, but we did not finish the job,” he admitted. “Chiangrai at home is always a battle; they contest every ball.
A draw is not a disaster, but if we want trophies, we must be more clinical.” Port, who hammered Chiangrai 5-1 earlier in the season, will look back at a huge missed chance to win it when star forward Nattachai Srisuwan saw his 78th-minute penalty saved by Woravong, who produced a string of key stops all night.
The result stretches Chiangrai’s unbeaten run to four matches and gives them a timely boost before a tricky run of fixtures that includes meetings with Buriram United and Bangkok United.
For Port, it feels like two points dropped in a tight title race where small slips could matter in the long run. Away from the scoreline, the match also drew strong interest across the region, with Indonesian supporters tuning in to celebrate Mangkualam’s long-range rocket, underlining the growing Southeast Asian presence in Thai League 1.
At full time, captain Sanukran Thinjom gathered his team in a huddle in the centre circle. The gesture summed up a squad that is slowly rebuilding its confidence and identity. The Swallows might not be ready to challenge at the very top just yet, but nights like this show they remain a dangerous side for any opponent.
Match Stats
- Score: Chiangrai United 1 (Iury 67′) ; Port FC 1 (Mangkualam 23′)
- Possession: Chiangrai 52%; Port 48%
- Shots (on target): Chiangrai 14 (5); Port 12 (4)
- Corners: Chiangrai 6; Port 4
- Fouls: Chiangrai 11; Port 13
- Attendance: 12,347
- Referee: Niwat Kaewkiri (yellow cards, Promsawat, Srisuwan)
Chiangrai United Standings
Chiangrai United sit 7th in the Premier League table at the moment. Their most recent match was against Port FC and finished in a 1–1 draw.
Their top scorers in all competitions so far are Enomoto with 6 goals, Bezerra da Silva with 3 goals, Hélio Monteiro with 2 goals, and Mattos Cardozo and Pimoytha with 1 goal each.
Across 11 matches, Chiangrai United have scored 13 goals, which works out at an average of 1.18 goals per game. They have recorded 4 wins, 5 draws, and 2 defeats. In 18.18% of their matches, the total number of goals has been over 2.5. In 81.82% of games, the total has gone over 1.5 goals.
Chiangrai United have kept a clean sheet in 3 matches. In 7 games, both teams have found the net. Their average scoring rate stands at 1.18 goals per match.
Chiangrai United are back in training tomorrow, already focused on next weekend’s clash. For now, this point feels like a clear step forward, and in Thai football’s fiercely competitive top flight, that kind of progress is priceless.
