Nonthaburi, Thailand – Muangthong United grabbed a tough 2-1 victory over Singha Chiangrai United in Thai League 1 action at Thunderdome Stadium. The game happened on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Brazilian striker Willian Popp sealed the deal with a goal in the 75th minute. That gave the home team three key points.
Fans saw non-stop action in this 2025-26 Thai League match. Tactics clashed hard. Late twists kept everyone hooked. Muangthong has moved up the table now. Chiangrai took a hit, even after their early lead.
Match Highlights: Quick Goal, Then a Strong Comeback
Chiangrai struck first in the 12th minute. Dudu Silva jumped high and headed in a perfect cross from Itsuki Enomoto. That put the visitors ahead 1-0.
Muangthong pushed back with lots of pressure. They missed chances at first. Then, in the 71st minute, Khakhana Kamyok tied it up with a sharp finish. The home fans went wild.
Four minutes later, Willian Popp made it happen. He took a pass from Korawich Tasa and fired a strong left-footed shot past the keeper. Muangthong held the 2-1 lead until the end.
This win turned things around for Muangthong. They had mixed results before. The head coach praised the team’s grit after the game. He pointed out their depth and spirit.
Top Match Moments
- 12th minute: Dudu Silva heads in the opener for Chiangrai. Itsuki Enomoto assists.
- 71st minute: Khakhana Kamyok evens it for Muangthong with a clean strike.
- 75th minute: Willian Popp nets the winner from the left foot. Korawich Tasa assists. Some call it a Goal of the Season pick.
- Second half control: Muangthong owned the ball and made chances after halftime.
- Backline strength: Both sides defended well sometimes. Chiangrai slipped up on focus.
- Fan energy: More than 10,000 packed Thunderdome. They cheered every Muangthong push.
Subs changed the game. Muangthong brought on Melvyn Lorenzen and Sorawit Panthong in midfield and attack. That flipped the momentum. Chiangrai pressed late. They got close on set pieces but missed the tie.
Tactics and Standout Players
Muangthong went with a 4-3-3 that attacked wide. Wingers stretched the field. Central mids created chances. Willian Popp shone with his runs and shots. John-Patrick Strauss and Stefan Tsonkov locked down the back.
Chiangrai began strongly in a tight 4-5-1. That bothered Muangthong early. Dudu Silva stayed dangerous in the air. However, Chiangrai is tired. They couldn’t keep up with the attack.
Top Performers:
- Willian Popp (Muangthong): Scored the decider. He troubled them on the left.
- Dudu Silva (Chiangrai): Early goal. He used his size well.
- Khakhana Kamyok (Muangthong): Tied it up. Solid in midfield too.
- Korawich Tasa (Muangthong): Set up the winner. Linked play smoothly.
The ref handled it clean. Just a few yellows in a hard-fought match.
Chiangrai United Lineup
| Position | Player Name | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Apirak Worawong (or squad GK) | Made good saves. Let in two. |
| DF | Marco Ballini | Won air battles |
| DF | Tanasak Srisai | Kept defense in line |
| MF | Sanukran Thinjom | Good passes forward |
| MF | Chotipat Poomkeaw | High energy in the middle |
| FW | Dudu Silva | Goal (12′). Big threat |
| FW | Itsuki Enomoto | Set up the first goal |
| FW | Chinngoen Phutonyong | Made moves as a sub |
Chiangrai put out a solid team. They countered well but lost steam after the tie. No real bite in the second half.
Muangthong United Lineup
| Position | Player Name | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Armin Gremsl | Led the box. Big saves |
| DF | Wattanakorn Sawatlakhorn | Overlapped often |
| DF | Stefan Tsonkov | Strong center-back duo |
| DF | John-Patrick Strauss | Kept things steady |
| MF | Sorawit Panthong | Set the pace |
| MF | Purachet Thodsanit | Pushed in shifts |
| MF | Khakhana Kamyok | Goal (71′) |
| FW | Willian Popp | Winner (75′). Man of the Match |
| FW | Korawich Tasa | Assist the winner. Good links |
| FW | Melvyn Lorenzen | Strong sub impact |
Muangthong’s bench helped a lot. Local players mixed well with stars like Popp and Gremsl.
After the Whistle: Reactions and Next Steps
A Muangthong rep said the points matter big for climbing the table. “The team showed real heart. Popp’s goal stood out, but everyone chipped in,” they noted.
Chiangrai sees work to do on turning balls into goals. They stay in the fight. Still, they need to fix second-half drops for better spots.
Muangthong heads into games with a boost. Chiangrai wants a quick rebound in the busy Thai League. These clubs always deliver close battles. Expect more excitement next time.
