Thais punch ticket to World Cup
Team book semis spot, earn B20 million bonus
Coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian made no effort to hide her joy as Thailand secured their place in next year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup and pocketed a 20-millionbaht bonus from team manager Nualphan Lamsam.
It was a solid performance by the Thai squad on Thursday night (early yesterday morning, Thai time) that ensured a 3-1 victory over a resurgent Philippines in their last AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018 Group A game in Amman.
Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang, president of the Football Association of Thailand, praised the team’s efforts in sealing their place in the semi-finals of the Amman tournament.
“I congratulate you on qualifying for the 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup in France and wish you more success,” said Somyot in a message to the team.
The top two teams from Group A and B in the Asian championship qualify for next year’s finals while the two thirdplaced finishers meet in a play-off for Asia’s last ticket.
Thailand finished second in Group A behind China, who wrapped up their first round campaign with a comfortable 8-1 win over Jordan — their third successive victory at the Amman International Stadium on Thursday.
Nuengrutai, who became the first Thai coach to achieve a World Cup qualification in 2014, said: “Right now, I’m very happy. We finally reached our target and our goal for the tournament.
“Amidst the pressure and the expectations of the fans, it’s a really happy moment now that we’ve made it. We know we’ll have to play better and face tougher tests next year.
“I think the teams from Asia are among the best, so if we can compete at this level, we can also play at the higher level.”
As was the case when Thailand secured qualification by beating Vietnam four years ago, Kanjana Sung-Ngeon played a pivotal role, scoring twice on a night where both sides created many chances in front of goal.
Kanjana scored on 28 and 53 minutes, before set-piece specialist Silawan Intamee made it three in the 62nd for Thailand, who needed only a draw to advance to the final four for the first time since 1986.
The Philippines got a consolation goal through Jesse Shugg with the final kick of the game.
Nuengrutai heaped praise on Kanjana, saying: “She really is a very valuable player for us, especially when we play against tough opponents.
“She always gives us a surprise. She’s one of the players who’ll always step up and answer the question for us and solve the problem.”
Philippines head coach Rabah Benlarbi was left to rue his side’s defeat, and try to find a way to re-energise his players before Monday’s all-important play-off for fifth, where a win will see the Malditas join Thailand in the Fifa Women’s World Cup.
“We started well in the first 20 minutes, then we had a penalty against us,” he recalled.
“We continued to play and we scored, but the goal was refused, but this is football and you can’t complain. We still have a chance. It’s not over for us. We will go out and try to play without pressure.”
Suchawadee Nildhamrong was also outstanding against the Malditas, playing a role in all three goals, and Nuengrutai revealed the extent of the US-raised star’s impact on the team.
“She’s always eager to play for our national team, no matter where she is playing,” said the 46-year-old Thai tactician.
“Her determination is something that is considered very Thai amongst our players. She has a good relationship with her teammates and brings a lively joyfulness to the team.
“It’s critical to have her in the team. It’s a really good thing. She’s a different type of player to the ones we have and we expect to see a lot more of her in future tournaments.”
The semi-finals take place on Tuesday at King Abdullah II Stadium, with Thailand playing in the first game at 8:45pm, Thai time.