Fadhil Yunus
Former DPMM FC defender Charlie Clough marked his debut in the 2021/2022 Thai FA Cup for new club Nakhon Ratchasima FC at the 80th Anniversary Stadium in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand on Wednesday.
The Swat Cats progressed to the quarter-finals of the competition after seeing off Thai League 2 side Lampang FC with a 3-1 victory in the third round.
Clough, who won the Singapore Premier League title with DPMM FC, played his first home match since joining the Thai outfit during the transfer window at the end of last year.
It marked his third different competition in the Thailand football calendar having featured in the Thai League Cup and the Thai League 1 in his first two outings.
Nakhon Ratchasima forward Kwame Karikari continued his scoring spree with a first-half double with midfielder Nattachai Srisuwan adding a three-goal cushion in the hour mark.
Lampang midfielder Deyvison Fernandes pulled one back for the visitors but his effort proved to be mere consolation.
After helping DPMM FC to their second league triumph in Singapore, Clough – who played for numerous clubs in England including League Two outfit Barnet – joined a second Southeast Asian club.
The Taunton-born will be hoping to add the Thai FA Cup to his collection of individual and team honours in Southeast Asia amid a potential tough draw as four-time winners Buriram United will fancy their chances of a league and cup double.
Suphanburi, BEC Tero Sasana and Thai League 3 side giantkillers Songkhla – who pulled an upset against top flight side Samut Prakan City – are also in the hat.
Clough’s next assignment will be a league clash against basement dwellers Chiangmai United tomorrow as they bid for a third consecutive win in all competitions and boost their hopes of a strong finish to the year.
Nakhon Ratchasima currently sit ninth in the Thai top division having snapped a four-game winless streak with victory over Police Tero FC last weekend.
