Return of skipper Duangnapa boosts Thais' QF chances
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Having secured a quarter-final place for the first time in the Asian Games, the Thai women's football team received some good news on the injury front with captain Duangnapa Sritala available for selection after recovering quickly from an injury.
The Thais finished their group-stage campaign with a bang by thumping hapless India 10-0 on Sunday to take the second spot in Group A, which saw them follow hosts South Korea into the last eight. Either old foes Vietnam or Hong Kong are the likely opponents of the Thai team in the quarter-finals on September 26.
The Thai women took a day off yesterday, with coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian leading her players on a trip to Gyeongbokgung Palace before going shopping at the famous Myeongdong market.
Former national player Nuengrutai’s mood got even better when defender and captain Duangnapa announced she could return to help the team in the quarter-final tie after missing all three group matches with knee injury.
“Dungnapa’s condition is improving and that’s good news for the team. We’ll look into her condition again in training tomorrow. If our medical staff give her the all-clear, we may play her in the last eight.
“I think we have a good chance of making it to the semi-finals. Dungnapa would be in good condition by then,” said Nuengrutai.
Vietnam and Hong Kong meet in a Group C clash today, but Nuengrutai believes the Thai team will have an edge over whichever side her team meets in the last eight.
“We should be in better condition by the time we play the quarter-final match against Vietnam or Hong Kong, who have to play tomorrow. We won’t underestimate either side.
“We beat Vietnam in the last two meetings, while our world ranking is better than Hong Kong. But it will by no means be easy since many teams are playing very well and tightly defensively at this Games.”
