CHUMPHON, Thailand (Interstat) — Amarildo scored a hat trick and Phuchakhen Chandaeng added two goals as Songkhla defeated Chumphon United 6-3 on Wednesday in a high-scoring league match. The visiting side scored four goals before halftime and never trailed after the 35th minute, absorbing a late Chumphon United push before Amarildo closed the scoring in the final minute. The match produced nine goals in a wide-open contest, with Songkhla’s finishing proving decisive and Chumphon United unable to complete a late rally. Songkhla’s victory came in the club’s first competition match of the season, while Chumphon United opened its competition campaign with a home defeat.

Chandaeng opened the scoring in the 16th minute, giving Songkhla an early advantage. Chumphon United responded in the 28th minute through Rachata Intharason, briefly leveling the match. Amarildo restored Songkhla’s lead in the 35th minute, and Chandaeng scored again in the 39th to stretch the advantage before halftime. The two-goal burst changed the match after Chumphon United had found an equalizer, and Songkhla carried a 3-1 lead into the break. Chumphon United’s equalizer came after Songkhla had controlled the opening exchanges, but the visitors regained command with two goals in a four-minute span. Songkhla’s pressure in the first half produced three goals, while Chumphon United stayed within reach through Intharason’s finish.

Songkhla extended its lead in the 65th minute when Amarildo scored his second goal of the match. The visitors added another goal in the 71st minute, making it 5-1 and putting the result firmly in their control. Chumphon United did not fade entirely. Kim Jung-Hyun scored in the 79th minute, and Sangmala C. added another goal in the 89th to cut the deficit to 5-3. But Amarildo completed his hat trick in the 90th minute, sealing Songkhla’s sixth goal and ending Chumphon United’s comeback hopes. The final goal capped a match that swung decisively toward Songkhla after halftime. Songkhla’s fifth goal in the 71st minute gave the visitors a four-goal cushion, and Chumphon United’s late goals came after the match appeared settled.

Amarildo was Songkhla’s top star with three goals. Chandaeng supplied two goals, and Songkhla’s other goal came in the 71st minute. Intharason and Kim Jung-Hyun each scored once for Chumphon United, while Sangmala C. also scored late. The result moved Songkhla to 1-0 in the competition and 2-3-3 overall. Chumphon United fell to 0-1 in the competition and 0-3 overall. Songkhla’s victory gave the club its first competition win of the season and continued Chumphon United’s difficult start. The overall records reflect the contrast: Songkhla has two wins, three losses and three draws across all competitions, while Chumphon United has no wins and three losses.

Songkhla had entered the match after mixed form across all competitions. Earlier this season, Songkhla had drawn at Chiangmai United and Maha Sarakham SBT FC, lost at Pattaya United and Chainat, beaten Police Tero on the road, lost at home to Satun FC and drawn at home with Muang Loei. Songkhla is scheduled to host Phrae United FC next in the competition, with additional matches against Phrae, N. Ratchasima, Khon Kaen United FC, Kanchanaburi, Uttaradit, Muangthong, Nakhon Pathom, Chanthaburi and Nongbua ahead. The win marked a positive turn for Songkhla after a stretch of uneven results. Chumphon United’s previous results included a loss at Nakhon Si and a home loss to Yala City, leaving the club still seeking its first win.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Chumphon United 1, Songkhla 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Songkhla with a 56.7 percent probability to win. Songkhla had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5. The total score of 9 went under the over/under line of 3.