Thais face a battle to recover from traumatic 13-0 defeat

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Thais face a battle to recover from traumatic 13-0 defeat

By Lerpong Amsa-ngiam 
The Nation

 

Thai players in tears after the game.

 

Thailand coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian faces a huge task to lift her players out of the abyss after watching them crumble to a record 13-0 defeat against the United States in their opening women’s World Cup game in Reims yesterday (Thailand time).

 

TEARS…Morgan consoles distraught Thai striker Suchawadee Nildhamrong

 

Ten of the goals came in the second half as the defending champions set a new mark for the biggest winning margin in the women’s World Cup, bettering Germany’s 11-0 defeat of Argentina in 2007.

 

The Kingdom’s players trooped out past the cheering crowds at Stade Agust-Delaune in shame, some of the m bursting into tears after the most agonising loss of their careers.

 

“The atmosphere of the team is not so good,” Nuengrutai admitted later. “They were crying and were feeling low.”

 

164-cap veteran striker Alex Morgan scored five times, Rose Lavelle and Samantha Mewis netted twice each while Lindsey Horan, skipper Megan Rapinoe and substitutes Mallory Pugh and Carli Lloyd also found the net in the lopsided victory.

 

“I accept that we were not good enough and that the opponents were far more powerful. The players were really disappointed as they wanted to do better than this,” said Nuengrutai, who must figure out a way to restore the team’s pride in time for their second match with Olympic silver medallists Sweden on Sunday.

 

“This is a big lesson. The game taught us that we still have to work a lot harder in every way. The players must put this behind and move on as quick as possible,” Nuengrutai added.

 

 

Team’s manager Nualphan Lamsam said she was prepared for defeat but did not expect it to be that big.

 

“We were torn apart. The players were intimidated and lost concentration after they lost three goals in seven minutes at the start of the second half. Our defence was in disarray,” said Nualphan, who is also the team’s main benefactor.

 

“It was tough for us as several of our players were injured while the US were at full strength. This loss affected the players tremendously.”

 

She said they needed to regroup and somehow find a way to bounce back in the two remaining games, including the Group F finale against Chile on June 20.

 

“We have to adjust the game plan urgently. We must use the best 11 players against Sweden. My sincere apology to the fans for letting them down,” Nualphan said.

 

We respect everyone: skipper

 

United States captain Megan Rapinoe said hammering Thailand 13-0 in the Women’s World Cup was all “part of growing the game” after a win so lopsided there were suggestions they should have eased up to save the Thais from embarrassment.

 

Rapinoe scored the ninth goal for the title-holders, one of 10 in the second half as the USA surpassed the tournament record of 11-0, set by Germany against Argentina in 2007.

 

“We have the utmost respect for everyone we play but it’s the World Cup and that’s part of it. It’s part of growing the game. They’ll improve from here,” said Rapinoe.

 

Alex Morgan starred with five goals in the Group F opener in Reims, in Champagne country, as the USA pulverised a Thailand side playing at just their second World Cup.

 

This was always going to be a daunting challenge for the Chaba Kaew, who made it to France thanks to their run to the semi-finals at last year’s Asian Cup.

 

“There are some teams here that, since the last World Cup, have only played a handful of games, or only the qualifiers. It’s embarrassing for the federations, and for FIFA as well,” said Rapinoe as she reflected on the gulf between the world’s top sides and the rest.

 

Not that Thailand are necessarily minnows – they sit 34th in the FIFA rankings, higher than six other sides competing at this World Cup    

One TV commentator said the win was so comprehensive that the USA should have stopped attacking late in the game but Rapinoe said the champions were delighted to now have the record for the biggest World Cup win and to make a statement as they go in search of their fourth world title.

 

“I was hoping we’d beat Germany! I had that in mind,” she joked.

 

“We always want to have any world record and anything we can get over the Germans, we’ll take it.

 

Mewis, whose two goals came on her World Cup finals debut, added: “We need to keep our feet on the ground and I think we will, but I do think that we created a lot of good energy and that’s something that can help carry us forward.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/sports/30370962

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-06-13

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[JimmyTheMook]

Gonna be bad if the Swedes hammer them as well.

 

Be like the Amazon's vrs. The Oompa Loompa's

 

Wonder if Coon Thai will be cheering ?

[Katipo]

Good on them for giving it a go. I'm sure they did their best. US women's team is one of the best, if not the best, in the world. Would have been nice if they'd eased off before hitting double digits. I suppose all of fair is love and football. 

[JimmyTheMook]

Not where they found the Thai goalie - but the issue apparently was there.

 

Like at least 7 easy goals went right past her.

[ezzra]

Look on the brightside, Good thing they didn't represent N. Korea...

[Thailand]

The USA simply got lucky.

 

13 times!

[Chazar]

Has the master race realised something?

[Fex Bluse]

As much as I enjoy seeing Thais acknowledge a world outside of Thailand that is not forgiving of the general arrogance that permeates Thailand, we know that they have the capacity -- like any people -- for competitive sport. Look no further than Muay Thai and how tough the Thais are in that sport.

 

What I am interested in is if there will be any cultural shift or leadership shake up and whether the Thai football organization is merit-based or, like almost everything in Thailand, is who-you-know-based or do-you-know-who-my-father-is-based.

 

Is the coach competent, or just some important person's family member? Same for the players.

 

I have no sympathy. You want a competitive society, you must change.

 

[Chazar]

39 minutes ago, Fex Bluse said:

As much as I enjoy seeing Thais acknowledge a world outside of Thailand that is not forgiving of the general arrogance that permeates Thailand, we know that they have the capacity -- like any people -- for competitive sport. Look no further than Muay Thai and how tough the Thais are in that sport.

 

What I am interested in is if there will be any cultural shift or leadership shake up and whether the Thai football organization is merit-based or, like almost everything in Thailand, is who-you-know-based or do-you-know-who-my-father-is-based.

 

Is the coach competent, or just some important person's family member? Same for the players.

 

I have no sympathy. You want a competitive society, you must change.

 

Or they could  just execute them all,wouldn't be the first time.

[Chazar]

I'm almost waiting for the govt.  announcement about "triumphant team" returns.

[Fex Bluse]

16 minutes ago, Chazar said:

I'm almost waiting for the govt.  announcement about "triumphant team" returns.

I imagine they'll do just like most in this part of the world and pretend it never happened. Media won't run too many stories. 

 

Had they beaten the US team, their great grandfathers would be talking about it 100 years from now. 

 

Another common character trait I dislike about Thailand. 

[DoctorG]

2 hours ago, JimmyTheMook said:

Not where they found the Thai goalie - but the issue apparently was there.

 

Like at least 7 easy goals went right past her.

Glad it was not just me who thought this. Only saw the highlights but it appeared that the Thai goalkeeper did not even seriously try to stop the shots.

[phetpeter]

Should have told the team to leave their smartphones in the changing room, switched off so they weren't distracted by the bleeps of their chat call messages 

[JRG23]

Oh dear. Major loss of face. No wonder it's not being shown much on Thai TV.

[KiChakayan]

OMG!. What will Thai Immigration come up with?.

[owl sees all]

Too much sex the night before. Just tired.

[Destiny1990]

The Thai lady football team really deserved at least one or more goals..’The way the USA kept celebrating even after 10 goals was kinda over the top.

[Denim]

Great result for the Thai womans team.

 

They have escaped the awful fate of having to suffer a cuddly smiles photo shoot with Prayuth.

 

Congratulations !!

[Ulic]

Running up the score may perhaps be excused but the over-the-top celebrations on the later goals were disgusting. While the Americans stupidly say it will grow the game and Thailand will come back stronger I have the opposite view. Women's sports events on an international scale are often incredibly weak. Only 8-10 women or teams capable of competing (not winning) and until the competition broadens there is no need to even have a World Cup with more than 8-12 teams or at all. Just look at the Winter Olympics. Many events have 5-7 top quality competitors and the rest are 3rd rate. Not a PC opinion but this score demonstrates my point. 

[whiteman]

Well they can try to save face by claiming they now have a world record ????????

[hansnl]

7 hours ago, vinniekintana said:

Blame the falang for the defeat!????

No, don't blame the Farang for the defeat, but blame the US team for not knowing when to stop, this result is just degrading for the Thai team but most of all for the US team that doesn't seem to know that an unnecessary result like this is destroying sportivity.

[luckyluke]

In this particularly match,

 

Thailand was second. 

 

The U.S.A., before last. 

[losworld]

The Thai goalie apparently kneeled for the anthem as a protest to Trump demonstrating what we have seen countless times here on Thai Visa "Trump Derangement Syndrome" which basically makes the brain inoperable during periods of uncontrolled rage.

[RichardColeman]

Guessing there will be a story coming soon about how they were all ordered to take their amulets off before the game

[Jingthing]

The USA was right to get all the goals they could. To not do so would have been disrespectful to any opponent. The celebrations way after they were going to win the game anyway I think were too much. Makes the USA team look like undiplomatic arrogant bullies (ugly Americans). Maybe fitting these days, but it was unnecessary. 

[sherwood]

Who cares, its only a game. 

[Jingthing]

12 minutes ago, losworld said:

The Thai goalie apparently kneeled for the anthem as a protest to Trump demonstrating what we have seen countless times here on Thai Visa "Trump Derangement Syndrome" which basically makes the brain inoperable during periods of uncontrolled rage.

Did that really happen? Please link your source. 

 

There was this incident --

 

https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/448157-usa-soccer-star-megan-rapinoe-refuses-to-sing-national-anthem

 

[Tarteso]

Changue the Thai team trainer?

[BobBKK]

Could the EC meet and change the rules? I think give USA 6 players (no goalie) and Thailand 16?  that's fairness 'Thai style' right?

[Thaidream]

23 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

The USA was right to get all the goals they could. To not do so would have been disrespectful to any opponent. The celebrations way after they were going to win the game anyway I think were too much. Makes the USA team look like undiplomatic arrogant bullies (ugly Americans). Maybe fitting these days, but it was unnecessary. 

Agreed.  There was no reason to continue celebrating when one has 10 goals and is winning easily over a team that does not have the skills to match.  

 

The US was arrogant; disrespectful and showed no class.