Preview - Group B: Thailand v Chile

Rennes: Thailand head coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian expects goals in her side’s final FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 group stage match against Chile, with progression to the Round of 16 remaining a mathematical possibility for both sides.

Both the Thais and Chile remain without a point so far, but the competition format – which allows the four best third placed teams to advance alongside the top two sides in each group – adds an air of possibility to their tie at Roazhon Park on Thursday.

Thailand require not only a win but draws in two other relevant matches if they are to pull off the most unlikely of achievements, but Nuengrutai called on her charges to embrace the opportunity, come what may.

“It’s a match that we’ve been waiting for,” she said. “We have been prepared for every match, but tomorrow for this situation we want to do our best. It’s another game where we want to impress the crowd.

“We are not pressured, because we think, for the match tomorrow, we want the players to play their best. We don’t want to pressure them.

“We respect the opponents because they are also ready for a fight. We’ll try to play our best, try to minimise our mistakes and try to play an impressive game.”

While Thailand will need the help of others if their dream trip to the last 16 is to become a reality, Chile may be able to settle their fate themselves, regardless of other results, provided they score a large number of goals against the Chaba Kaew.

Unlike Thailand, the South Americans are yet to find the back of the net in this World Cup, but Nuengrutai expects both teams to throw caution to the wind in a last-gasp dash for survival.

“Definitely,” she declared. “There will be chances to score tomorrow, but we need to be careful and cautious.”

“Tomorrow Chile will attack us for sure. They have the advantage on goal difference, so they’ll try to score as many goals as other teams in other games.

“We hope they will attack, and we will have more areas to attack in as well.”

#ChangsuekQuote
“โลกของฟุตบอลอะไรก็เกิดขึ้นได้ แน่นอนเรายังมีหวังว่าจะได้เข้ารอบ 16 ทีมให้ได้ เราต้องทำให้ดีที่สุด”️??

#PowerofWomen #FIFAWWC #THAILAND #ฟุตบอลโลกหญิง #Kanjana pic.twitter.com/dbcaqZ1Tmo

— Changsuek (@Changsuek_TH) June 19, 2019

Thailand have suffered heavy back-to-back losses to the United States and Sweden in Group F, but Kanjana Sung-Ngoen’s strike in their 5-1 defeat to the Swedes gave both the Southeast Asians and the tournament itself a moment to cherish.

The emotional embrace between Nuengrutai and team manager Nualphan Lamsam which followed the goal made the latter a subject of international media interest, and Thailand’s head coach paid tribute to a whole-hearted supporter of women’s football in the country.

#ChangsuekGag เพราะฟุตบอล ไม่ได้ขึ้นอยู่กับชัยชนะตอนจบเกมเพียงอย่างเดียว ️??#PowerOfWomen #FIFAWWC #THAILAND #ฟุตบอลโลกหญิง pic.twitter.com/HErMqw5tyY

— Changsuek (@Changsuek_TH) June 17, 2019

“She has been the Thai team manager for 13 years. She has been looking after our team,” Nuengrutai said of Lamsam, who is also the Chairwoman of Thai League 1 club Port FC.

“She is everything to us, she is like a parent, she is our mother – the mother to all the players.

“She’s a strong leader and she inspires and encourages all Thai girls to want to play football. They all dream of meeting Mrs Lamsam and they want to be Thai football players.”

While Thailand’s team spirit appears as strong ever, Chile head coach José Letelier also praised the mood among his camp, as they aim for a historic first ever World Cup win, and perhaps a place in the Round of 16.

“The girls have got a lot of hope and excitement about this and they’re in high spirits,” he said.

“We can see that this has been the case throughout this World Cup - just to have the opportunity to be here. Now we want to them get to the pitch in a good state, and have a good match.”

Thailand v Chile

FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 Group F

Roazhon Park, Rennes

Kick-off: 21.00 (local time)

Photos: AFP

Source: the-afc.com