True Bangkok United have won their first-ever Thai FA Cup title after winning the 2023/24 final on Saturday, beating Thai League 2 underdogs Dragon Pathumwan Kanchanaburi 4-1 on penalties at the Ratchaburi Stadium.
The 2023/24 edition of the Thai FA Cup has been a tournament for the underdogs, with notable teams such as Buriram United, Leo Chiangrai United, and Chonburi FC falling to lower-league oppositions.
When this season's semifinal rolled around, only Bangkok United were the sole representative of the Thai League 1, with DP Kanchanaburi being the only Thai League 2 flag-bearers and Thai League 3 sides Udon United and Samut Sakhon City completing the quartet.
And while both Bangkok United and DP Kanchanaburi expectedly overcame their respective opponents, none could envision that DP Kanchanaburi - founded in 2017 and only promoted to the second-tier in 2022/23 - would be playing a Thai FA Cup final, the first non-top-flight team to do so in recent history.
There were already disappointment in the air when it was confirmed that the AFC has denied DP Kanchanaburi an AFC license, meaning that the Fire Dragons won't be following in the footsteps of South Korea's Jeonnam Dragons and Japan's Ventforet Kofu in enjoying a taste of continental football as a second-tier side should they win the Thai FA Cup. But regardless, DP Kanchanaburi are still eager to prove everyone that this season's Thai FA Cup would belong to the underdogs.
After frustrating a Bangkok United side that included the likes of Vander Luiz, Rungrath Poomchantuek, Pokklaw Anan, Nitipong Selanon and Patiwat Khammai into a goalless draw coming into half-time, DP Kanchanaburi stunned the Bangkok Angels faithful by going 1-0 up in the 65th minute, courtesy of former Persiraja Banda Aceh striker Ricardo Pires.
However things shifted towards Bangkok United's favor when DP Kanchanaburi right-back Jirasak Kumthaisong was sent-off in the 71st minute, which allowed for Vander to slot home a 74th minute penalty to draw things level.
No further goals were scored afterwards and the scoreline remained the same after extra time, meaning that the match would have to be decided through a penalty shootout.
Unfortunately for DP Kanchanaburi, both Elias and Phanthamit Praphanth were unable to score from the spot, with the Fire Dragons' only successful taker being Pichitchai Sienkrahok. Bangkok United, on the other hand, scored all four of their penalties through Vander, Mahmoud Eid, Everton, and Adisak Kraisorn, clinching the Bangkok Angels their first-ever Thai FA Cup title as well as their first major silverware underneath the ownership of the True Corporation, having previously won the 2006 Thai Premier League as Bangkok University FC.
Bangkok United will join league champions Buriram United in the 2024/25 AFC Champions League Elite, with the Angels having to take on Chinese giants Shandong Taishan for a spot in the competition proper through a one-legged play-off match to be played in August.
League 3rd placers Port FC will take over Bangkok United's spot in the 2024/25 AFC Champions League Two, with the Angels set to join them should they lose their aforementioned play-off match.
