Thai women suffer 4-0 defeat to Norway
A win against Ivory Coast now essential
OTTAWA: The Thai women’s team made their World Cup debut with a 4-0 loss to former champions Norway in their opening Group B game on Sunday.
In the other Group B game, top-ranked Germany hammered debutants Ivory Coast 10-0.
Despite the setback, Thailand could still qualify for the second round with a win against Ivory Coast on Thursday.
The top two teams in each of the six groups plus the four best third-place teams advance to the knockout stages.
Norway, the 1995 champions, proved far too strong for Thailand.
Veteran skipper Trine Ronning opened for the European side after a quarter of an hour, with Isabell Herlovsen claiming a quick-fire double on 29 and 34 minutes, and Ada Hegerberg putting the result beyond doubt with a 68th-minute header.
Thailand, ranked 29th in the world, missed a chance to score their first World Cup goal after five minutes when Silawan Intamee just shot just wide of the target following a blazing run down the flank from Kanjana Sung-Ngoen.
The hammering could have been more severe but for Thai goalkeeper Waraporn Boonsing doing well to keep out a Maren Mjelde penalty, awarded for handball with 15 minutes to go.
“The first game of the tournament is always nerve-wracking,” said Norway coach Even Pellerud.
“We are happy to have three points, but we have to improve aspects of our play against the other teams.
“We’re ready for the game against Germany on Thursday.”
Next up for Thailand are fellow debutantes Ivory Coast, before wrapping up their group games against favourites Germany.
“We met a very good team and learned how women’s football at international level works,” said Thailand coach Nuengruthai Srathongvian.
“Getting the first goal would have given us a morale boost more than anything, because we were playing a superior team.”
She added: “We played better than we did when we won the Asean title [last month]. I am pleased with my players’ performance as they gave their all. But we should have conceded fewer goals. We will have to work harder to improve our defence.”