LAMPHUN, Thailand (Interstat) — A blistering three-minute spell from Ratchaburi in the first half proved decisive as the visiting Dragons held off a late Lamphun Warrior rally to secure a 2-1 victory in Thai League 1 action on Saturday at Lamphun Warriors Stadium.

The match, played on April 11, 2026, saw Ratchaburi solidify its position near the top of the table, improving its league record to 15 wins, six draws and six losses. Lamphun Warrior, fighting near the bottom, fell to four wins, 10 draws and 10 losses on the season.

The game’s pivotal sequence began after a yellow card to Ratchaburi midfielder Charlie Clough in the 15th minute. Just five minutes later, the Dragons struck. Forward Akarapong Pumwisat found the net in the 20th minute, assisted by Kenshiro Daniels, to give the visitors an early lead.

Before the home crowd could settle, Ratchaburi doubled its advantage. Substitute Denílson Júnior, who had just entered the fray, scored in the 23rd minute, capitalizing on an assist from Clough to make it 2-0 in a stunningly quick offensive display.

Lamphun Warrior struggled to generate a consistent response in the first half, with the period’s only other booking being a yellow card to Ratchaburi substitute Thanawat Suengchitthawon in the 36th minute. The home side emerged with more urgency after the break, applying sustained pressure on the Ratchaburi defense.

The persistence paid off in the dying moments of the match. Substitute Njiva Rakotoharimalala gave Lamphun a lifeline with a goal deep into second-half stoppage time, set up by forward Anan Yodsangwal. The goal ignited the home supporters, but it arrived too late for a complete comeback.

The frantic finale saw two more yellow cards issued in stoppage time, to Ratchaburi’s Daniels and Lamphun’s Yodsangwal, as the match concluded 2-1.

The result continued a dominant trend for Ratchaburi in the recent head-to-head series, following a 5-0 win over Lamphun Warrior in October 2025. It also marked a departure from pre-game projections. Interstat’s game simulator had predicted a 1-1 draw, while its ELO rating system had given Lamphun Warrior a slight 50.3 percent probability to win.

Ratchaburi will look to build on the away victory when it travels to face Bangkok Utd on April 18. Lamphun Warrior, seeking to escape the lower reaches of the table, next plays on April 26 with a visit to Rayong.