Thailand is one of eight nations that will make its World Cup debut this summer, exactly a quarter of the 24-team field that will compete in Canada. The War Elephants enter the competition with a bit of momentum and confidence, having recently won the AFF Women’s Championship, a tournament contested between teams from Southeast Asia. Just qualifying for the World Cup was a big step for Thailand, but coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian is talking loud, maintaining her team isn’t simply coming to Canada to make up the numbers. That brash attitude will have to be married to a fearlessness on the pitch of Thailand is going to get out of the group stage.
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ROSTER
Goalkeepers: Waraporn Boonsing, Sukanya Chor-Charoenying and Yada Sengyong
Defenders: Darut Changplook, Natthakarn Chinwong, Duangnapa Sritala, Warunee Phetwiset, Sunisa Srangthaisong and Khwanruedi Saengchan
Midfielders: Pikul Khueanpet, Silawan Intamee, Naphat Seesraum, Wilaiporn Boothduang, Orathai Srimanee, Anootsara Maijarern and Ainon Phancha
Forwards: Nattaya Duangjantheuk, Kanjana Sungngoen, Nisa Romyen, Rattikan Thongsombut, Taneekarn Dangda, Thanatta Chawong and Alisa Rukpinij
COACH
Nuengrutai Srathongvian is the first female coach of the senior national team, taking over the job last April just before the Asian Women’s Cup. Before that, she served as an assistant coach. In addition to coaching BG-CAS in the Thai domestic league, she also oversees Thailand’s U-16 and U-19 programs. “The challenge of this tournament will be that we are trying to gain points. It’s not that we are coming here just to play games, but our goal is to pass to the second round,” Srathongvian told the Ottawa Citizen at last December’s draw for the World Cup.
GROUP B SCHEDULE
June 7: vs. Norway in Ottawa
June 11: vs. Ivory Coast in Ottawa
June 15: vs. Germany in Winnipeg
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
Thailand qualified as the fifth place team at the 2014 Women’s Asian Cup held in Vietnam last May. The top two teams from both of the opening round groups moved on to the semifinals and automatically qualified for the World Cup. The two third-place teams met in a playoff for World Cup berth. Thailand beat out Myanmar for third place in Group B, and then defeated the host nation for fifth place to book its trip to Canada.
TEAM STRENGTH
Speed. This a quick team that plays a fast-paced, short passing game that relies on athleticism from its players and quick movement on and off the ball. Thailand has great pace down the wings, which they use to stretch opposing teams, and to launch counterattacks after the win back possession. Opponents better be fit because they’ll feel like they’ve been a track meet after playing Thailand.
TEAM WEAKNESS
Aside from an overall lack experience, quality and depth? How about the defence—Thailand was spanked 7-0 and 4-0 by China and South Korea, the only two nations of genuine substance it face during the Asian qualifiers. Thailand even managed to concede against lowly Myanmar, the 43rd ranked team in the world. Imagine how many goals teams the calibre of Germany and Norway will score on Thailand this summer.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Kanjana Sung-Ngoen: The 28-year-old forward led Thailand in scoring at least year’s Asian Women’s Championship with three goals including a brace in the decisive playoff game against Vietnam..
BURNING QUESTION
FIFA did the Asian debutants few favours, placing them in a group that includes the top-ranked Germans and former World Cup champions Norway. Honestly, can Thailand avoid total embarrassment and put in somewhat respectable performance and keep the score from getting out of hand against the mighty Germans?
PROSPECTS
Let’s be honest: Thailand probably wouldn’t have qualified for the World Cup if it played it most of any of the other confederations. Its two wins over Myanmar and Vietnam—hardly heavyweights—was enough to see them qualify out from Asia. They’ll find the going far tougher in Canada where Germany (ranked No. 1 in the world) and European powerhouse Norway awaits them. They might be able to eek past the Ivory Coast for third and possibly move on. But chances are the Asian debutantes will head home after the first round.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Thailand has never qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. It will make its tournament debut this summer in Canada.