Thailand sees Myanmar, Vietnam as women’s football threats

KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand women’s football squad head coach, Spencer Prior have singled out 2013 silver medallists, Vietnam and Myanmar as the main threat to their bid to retain the gold medal at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.

The 46-year-old Englishman said Vietnam have shown tremendous improvement recently whi le Myanmar are equally dangerous as seen in the several recent encounters.

Therefore, Prior reminded his players not to underestimate the two sides who were eager to end Thailand’s perfect record in the women’s football competition which was introduced in the 1985 Bangkok SEA Games.

“I’m very happy with the current strong squad as they have built good understanding after playing together in the past 14 to 16 months,” he told a pre-match press conference, yesterday.

“We have played against Vietnam a few times and they are a fast improving side so I’m quite impressed with their game play.

We know Myanmar wel l especially the coach and they are a very difficult team to beat and they could pose a threat if my team did not perform well,” added Prior.

Myanmar’s head coach Roger Reijners, on the other hand, revealed that his charges are looking forward to put up a good show in the 29th edition of the Games although only five teams are taking part.

Vietnam head coach, Duong Vu Lam, meanwhile said he has great respected all teams the 2017 SEA Games.

“We respect all the teams and we will try our best to get positive results,” he said.

The five teams taking part in the women’s football competition in the 2017 SEA Games are defending champions Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines and hosts, Malaysia.

Thailand who are the five-time winners, will open their campaign against Myanmar at UM Arena Stadium while Malaysia will take on the Philippines at UiTM Stadium in Shah Alam, today.

For the record, the women’s footbal l event is making a comeback as it was not held in the 2015 Singapore SEA Games. — Bernama