Finally, Thailand in World Cup
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Thai women have achieved what our men have repeatedly failed to do
The Thailand women’s football team has opened a new chapter in national sporting history by qualifying for the Fifa Women’s World Cup in Canada next year.
For a football-mad nation used to the repeated failure of its men’s squad to qualify for the showpiece event, the women’s success is something of a dream come true.
With the country craving for so long to see one of their teams on the world stage, Thais were jolted by pride on Wednesday night, when the women delivered Thailand their first-ever World Cup appearance at senior level.
The success was unexpected, given that only weeks ago a berth for Canada looked a far-fetched prospect. No wonder many are still struggling to come to terms with the reality of watching Thailand at a World Cup final.
The path to the World Cup qualification spot was not as tough as it could have been. There were five tickets for the finals up for grabs at the eight-nation AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The Thais’ cause was further aided by the fact that North Korea, one of the continent’s leading sides, were banned from the competition over a doping case.
But no credit should be taken away from the women for their outstanding efforts to finally give Thailand a place in the global tournament, after previous World Cup appearances at U-17 level in 1997 and 1999.
The Thai women’s achievement was all the more remarkable given that they booked their tickets by beating bitter rivals Vietnam in their own backyard.
Aware they were not ready to shake up the established order in Asia, the Thai side entered the tournament with a modest target of third place in the group, to qualify for the fifth-place play-off match.
They began their campaign in worst possible way, losing their first two matches to China (7-0) and South Korea (4-0). The results were predictable given the gulf in class between the continent’s elite and the rest.
The final group match against Myanmar was earmarked as the most important, as it would determine which team finished in a third spot. And the Thais were once again able to stamp their authority over Myanmar, after beating them in the semi-finals en route to the SEA Games title last year, this time edging out their neighbours 2-1.
Wednesday’s game against old foes Vietnam, with the World Cup ticket at stake, was no doubt the biggest the Thais had ever faced. Tension was high but the players rose to the occasion magnificently, despite facing the roar of home fans at the packed Thong Nhat stadium in Ho Chi Minh City.
National coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian praised her team for their togetherness, which she said was key to the win.
“Our success came because of team spirit and the determination of the players to stay together through victory and defeat. We also got good support from both the team management and the Thai FA. We had little time to prepare for the tournament, but we had a clear plan and that helped us to succeed.”
Nuengrutai said qualification for the finals was the proudest moment of her coaching career.
“As coaches, we just want to see the players under our watch succeed at international level. We would be happy to see any Thai team reach the World Cup, whether the youth side or senior squad. Now, to be a part of this team’s success is a wonderful thing.”
