PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, Thailand (Interstat) — Edgar Méndez scored a first-half brace to power Prachuap to a 2-0 victory over Rayong in Thai League 1 action on Friday night at Sam Ao Stadium.

The home side controlled the match from the opening whistle and was rewarded in the 13th minute. A quick combination play found Jehhanafee Mamah on the right flank, and his low cross was met by a sliding Méndez at the near post to give Prachuap an early lead.

Méndez doubled the advantage just before halftime, sealing his man-of-the-match performance in the 45th minute. The sequence began with substitute Manny Ott, who entered the match earlier due to an injury. Ott won possession in midfield and played a through ball to Jirapan Phasukihan on the left. Phasukihan’s driven cross found Méndez unmarked in the center of the penalty area, and the forward directed a precise header into the net.

The second half saw the match grow increasingly fractious, with four yellow cards issued in a 26-minute span. Phasukihan was booked in the 54th minute for a late challenge, followed by Rayong substitute Wasusiwakit Phusirit in the 61st. Ott and Mamah then received cautions in quick succession in the 79th and 80th minutes as tensions flared. Rayong, unable to break down a organized Prachuap defense, failed to register a goal in response.

The result defied the pre-match projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 1-1 draw. However, it aligned with their ELO rating system, which gave Prachuap a 71.8 percent probability of victory. The win improves Prachuap’s Thai League 1 record to nine wins, nine draws and eight losses on the season, moving them into the top half of the table. Their overall record across all competitions now stands at 10 wins, nine draws and nine losses.

For Rayong, the defeat extends a difficult run of form. They have now won only once in their last five league matches, a stretch that includes three losses. Their league record falls to four wins, seven draws and six losses, leaving them nearer the relegation zone. Their overall record stands at five wins, seven draws and seven losses.

The match was a reversal of the teams’ previous meeting this season, which ended in a 1-1 draw on Oct. 19.

Prachuap will look to build on this momentum when they travel to face Nakhon Ratchasima on March 1. Rayong, seeking to halt their slide, faces a quick turnaround with a difficult away fixture at Nakhon Ratchasima on Wednesday, followed by a home match against powerhouse Buriram United on Feb. 28.