Soccer queens confident of reigning over old foes in semis
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The Thai women are looking to stamp their authority over Vietnam when they meet their old foes in the Asian Games football quarter-final, at Ansan Wa Stadium today.
Under the guidance of Nuengrutai Srathongvian, the Thais have made the last eight for the first time in the quadrennial tournament, having matched Southeast Asian rivals Vietnam by finishing as runners-up in the group stage. The two teams have long battled for regional supremacy, with the Thais gaining the upper hand of late by winning the SEA Games title in Myanmar last December. Earlier this year, the Thais rubbed salt into Vietnam’s wounds by snatching fifth spot in the Asian Championship to earn a historic berth at the Women’s World Cup finals in Canada next June.
No prizes for guessing that the Vietnamese will be out for revenge against Nuengrutai’s team, who recovered from an opening 5-0 loss to hosts South Korea to win their remaining two group matches and clinch second spot. The Thai coach expects another close encounter with their familiar opponents. “The last two times we met them – in the SEA Games final and the Asian Championship – we won 2-1 on both occasions, so I’m sure they want to avenge those defeats.
“However, everyone in our team is very confident. Our attacking play is clicking at the moment. Of course, we want to win the match and we want to do so within 90 minutes. Skipper and defender Duangnapa Sritala has recovered from injury but we won’t risk her, because she is not fully fit yet,” said Nuengrutai.
Having scored seven goals so far to joThe Thai women, though, have extra motivation, with a big pay day if they manage to progress to the semi-finals. Lohtong Holding has offered an incentive of Bt2 million should they beat Vietnam, while winning a first gold medal at the Games will earn them the Thai players an eye-popping Bt22 million of combined bonuses from the FAT and Lohtong.
