Thai women's national team 2012
image: © thai-fussball.com
With the AFF Championships ahead, official games are on the schedule for the women's national football team for the first time after a one year break. We take a look at the preparation and talked to team officials.
From 13 - 22 September the 7th edition of the AFF Women's Championship takes place in Vietnam. Defending champion Thailand, currently number 30 of the FIFA world rankings, is going to face Laos (82) and Malaysia (86) in group B. The fourth team of this group, Indonesia, has withdrawn at short notice. In Group A, Vietnam (31), Myanmar (47), the Philippines (85) and Singapore (92) are fighting for two spots in the semi-finals. For Thailand, the tournament marks the first official internationals since nearly one year. Back, that time the women's were able to lift the AFF trophy for the first time since the tournament saw his introduction in 2006.
From 13 - 22 September the 7th edition of the AFF Women's Championship takes place in Vietnam. Defending champion Thailand, currently number 30 of the FIFA world rankings, is going to face Laos (82) and Malaysia (86) in group B. The fourth team of this group, Indonesia, has withdrawn at short notice. In Group A, Vietnam (31), Myanmar (47), the Philippines (85) and Singapore (92) are fighting for two spots in the semi-finals. For Thailand, the tournament marks the first official internationals since nearly one year. Back, that time the women's were able to lift the AFF trophy for the first time since the tournament saw his introduction in 2006.
The Thai Women's Premier League is on hold for more than 12 month now, and just some of the players have seen some competitive action, by playing University and National Games. For the women's, who love their sport and often pursue with more heart blood than their male colleagues, the situation is little satisfying of course. Over recent years, Thailand's national team has been able to achieve a good ranking in women's football, in the World and Asia, owed to the playful potential and talent of the ladies. Unfortunately, this is completely ignored at other places and instead of promoting the talents of his country, nothing happens. As a reminder: Thai FA head Worawi Makudi is the "Chairman of the Committee for Women's Football" at FIFA. It is not to our knowledge how far he can be hold responsible for development in domestic leagues all over the world, respectively his own.
In such a situation it is of course not easy for national coach Piyakul Kawnamkang to bring his fosterlings to the next level of play. He is doing the job now for four years and he himself was a national player for Thailand. At club level he played for Bangkok Bank FC. Finally, it is no secret that only regular league competitions can provide tactical and physical stability. And that makes Piyakul believe his players are: "simply not focused enough on the sport" like he told us. Meanwhile the big bosses responsible in Thailand, dreaming of a participation at the Women's World Cup 2015.
Under such circumstances the training camp for the ASEAN Championships started already in June and the coach was extremely discontented at the beginning, especially with the fitness of the players. At least this lack seems repaired, because with the last two 30-minute preparatory games against teams of Siam Sport and Matichon, the ladies made a good physical impression and also showed that they can play a good ball.
After those games we briefly talked with two staff members about the preparation and the upcoming tournament.
thai-fussball.com: What is the goal for the AFF Championship 2012 campaign?
- We want to win our group and reaching the final.
thai-fussball.com: Where Vietnam is waiting most likely.
- (laughing) Yes, most likely.
thai-fussball.com: For nearly one year, most of the players haven't played a competitive game. How is the state of fitness?
- Pretty good. With now doubt, the girls have enough power to go over 90 minutes.
thai-fussball.com: Are there any new players which have been added, young talents maybe?
- We have added one new player who has played U19 up to now. Above all she makes a very strong impression physically.
Piyakul Kawnamkang
image: © thai-fussball.com
- After her knee injury she is still not able to play. We assume that she can return to training in about three month time.
thai-fussball.com: Worawi Makudi said, Thailand will be part of the world cup 2015 in Canada.
- (laughing) We try our best. We are in hope the team can progress over the next years.
thai-fussball.com: But this can only be achieved with games on a regular basis. For improvement and development domestic competitions are essential. When we ran into several players over the last year, we always asked about the league and we got told: „Yes, in 2-3 month the league is due to start“, but nothing happened. So do you have any idea when we can see a new season to start?
- Unfortunately, we don't know. We also don't know the reason for the delay.
thai-fussball.com: What about the chances for players going abroad, e.g. Japans L.League? You think they would be good enough?
- There is a new project in Japan to be start in December. After that they want us to submit information on possible candidates for clubs of the Japanese Women's football league.
The fixtures for Thailand during the upcoming AFF Championships are as follows: 14 September vs Malaysia, 18 September vs Laos, 20 September semi-finale, 22 September third place play-off and/or finale. In case Thailand should be able to reach the final, there a slight possibility the game could see a live TV coverage.
The 20 named squad is almost identically to the one which have played the Olympic Qualifiers last year and the AFF Cup:
GK: Waraporn Boonsing, Sukanya Chor. Charoenying
DF / MF: Darut Changplook, Kanjana Sung-Ngern, Duangnapa Sritala, Pikhun Khuenphet, Sunisa Wongsrikaew, Warunee Phetwiset, Sunisa Srangthaisong, Kwanrudee Saengchanath, Kwanruthai Khunupatham, Junpen Seesraum, Sunisa Srangthaisong, Anootsara Maijarern, Wilaiporn Boothduang, Chitawan Chawong, Siriwan Intamee, Rateekan Thomsumbat,
FW: Nisa Romyen, Taneekarn Dangda, Pajaree Thaoto
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