Eyes on the goal for Nualphan

 Luck played a part , of course, when the national women’s football team secured the last available berth in next year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup with its historic triumph over Vietnam last month. But no one could doubt the girls’ determination or overlook their three years of hard work. 

Another big share of the credit for getting a Thai squad of either gender into the World Cup for the first time has deservedly gone to Nualphan Lamsam, the team’s manager.

Last month’s victory in the fifth-place playoff match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup gave Thailand the final qualifying berth for next year’s 24-team finals. The Thai team becomes the first from Southeast Asia to make it to the Fifa World Cup, where it will join regional counterparts South Korea, Japan and China as well as Australia and a slew of Western soccer powers.

Nualphan, whose nickname is “Pang”, is often referred to in football circles as “Madame Pang” because of her high-society background. She’s the president and chief executive of Muang Thai Insurance. She’s also honorary president of the luxury fashion brand Hermes Thailand and a stalwart of the Saiyairak Foundation’s “Stop Teen Moms” effort led by Her Royal Highness Princess Srirasmi.

Running a soccer squad might not seem like a natural sideline for a hi-so lady, but she’s done so for six years and in 2006 and 2007 she guided another national team to gold medals in the Fespic Games and Asian Paralympics. 

Muang Thai takes pride in sponsoring sports as a way of demonstrating “social responsibility”, even if it is a virtual requirement of big corporations these days. But Nualphan says she’s involved because she regards sports as such an important aspect of life, especially during youth. They encourage kids to make the most of their potential and keep away from the temptations of materialism – and drugs. 

“I’ve never viewed this in a commercial way,” she says. “When I first met the players on this team, I was really impressed. They’re so well behaved and courteous! And of course we connect because we’re all women, including the coach, Nuengrutai Srathongvian, who’s the first woman in that role. 

“Our historic achievement came from our strong hearts and our teamwork. Individual techniques come from each player’s talent, but the players must be united. 

“We’re determined,” says Nualphan, “to play for the reputation and pride of our country and our families.” She tells the girls before every kick-off to play with all their heart and together they sing “Hymn to the Great King” to honour Their Majesties the King and Queen and derive encouragement for the effort ahead. 

“We lost on a penalty kick to Vietnam in the final of the SEA Games in Laos in 2009 and we all cried. That was the disappointment – this time it was the reward. We were playing under pressure, on Vietnam’s pitch in front of their crowd, but I told my team to stay focused and think of their families and the extremely supportive fans back home watching on television. Millions of people would be watching the game and cheering us on.”

Midfielder Kanchana Sang-Ngan, who scored the winning goal, has been on the squad since Nualphan took charge. “Having a woman manager is good because we feel close to each other. I can consult her about anything – that’s the main difference. Nualphan shares the same hopes and wishes we have and is always ready with support. And she’s very kind. Now we have to work harder preparing for the World Cup since, as Thais, we have smaller frames than most Western nationalities, and we have to practise more long ball.” 

Nualphan never fails to thank Football Association of Thailand president Worawi Makudi for “allowing me to work in this post” and her assistant manager, Charnwit Polcheewin, for honing the girls’ technique. 

The squad now has a year to prepare for the big event, and the schedule ahead includes the Asian Games in South Korea in September. “I’m arranging training in Europe, with matches against a lot of good teams,” Nualphan says. “They need time and fresh experience. They have to get used to the cold weather and gain confidence when facing a better-ranked team. 

“Anything can happen in a match. We simply aim higher, for world class. My working principle is ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way!’ We just have to be well prepared and determined.” 

Asked about Thai women’s success over the years in volleyball, badminton, weightlifting and now football, Nualphan says every player has her own personal dignity and wants to be a champion. 

“Thai women have very high capability, just like the men, and can do just as much for the country’s reputation. I’m very happy to be working with these girls. Women understand one another better and treat each other like family.” 

Nualphan used to devote herself to the Democrat Party, but long ago left politics behind. She says, though, that among the much-vaunted reforms Thailand needs is more government funding for sports. Sport offers great benefits for the country’s reputation and young people’s futures, she says, as well as bringing in tourists and, not so incidentally, letting the spectators shed some stress. 

Meanwhile the guys are playing a little football in Brazil this week. Asked which country she’s backing in the “other” World Cup, Nualphan says she has no particular favourite. But, yes indeed, she’ll be watching.