RATCHABURI, Thailand (Interstat) — Substitute forwards Denílson Júnior and Njiva Rakotoharimalala each scored twice Tuesday night, powering visiting Ratchaburi to a 4-2 victory over Rayong in a Thai League 1 match that defied pregame projections.

The match at Rayong Stadium, the season opener for both clubs, was forecast by Interstat’s game simulator to end in a 1-1 draw. Its ELO rating system gave Ratchaburi only a 56 percent probability to win. Those models were quickly rendered obsolete by a second-half offensive explosion from the visitors.

After a tense and scoreless first half that saw three yellow cards issued in an eight-minute span, the deadlock was broken in first-half stoppage time. Denílson Júnior, who had just entered the match, put Ratchaburi ahead with a goal in the 45th plus one minute.

Rayong responded after the break. Midfielder Anon Amornlertsak leveled the score at 1-1 in the 63rd minute, converting an assist from teammate Saharat Sontisawat.

The equalizer was short-lived. Ratchaburi struck back with stunning speed, retaking the lead just two minutes later. Rakotoharimalala, another second-half substitute, found the net in the 65th minute to make it 2-1. He then doubled his tally and Ratchaburi’s advantage in the 73rd minute, finishing a chance created by Siwakorn Chakkuprasart to extend the lead to 3-1.

Denílson Júnior put the match out of reach with his second goal of the night in the 85th minute, assisted by Peerapat Kaminthong, sealing a commanding 4-1 lead for the visitors.

Rayong managed a late consolation goal in the 90th minute through forward Stenio Junior, but it did little to change the outcome.

The result gives Ratchaburi a winning start to its Thai League 1 campaign, moving its record to 1 win and 0 losses, both in the league and across all competitions. Rayong begins its season with an 0-1 record in all competitions.

The match was marked by disciplined tactical changes, with both goal-scoring heroes introduced from the bench to decisive effect. The three yellow cards, all shown in a contentious period late in the first half, went to Ratchaburi’s Siwakorn Chakkuprasart in the 45th minute, Rayong’s Saharat Sontisawat in the 48th, and Ratchaburi’s Peerapat Kaminthong in the 53rd.

Ratchaburi’s ability to score in quick succession after conceding proved the difference, turning a potential away draw into a convincing victory to open the 2025-2026 Thai League 1 season.