Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Wuhan: A last-minute goal from Nutwadee Pram-Nak saw Thailand qualify for the semi-finals of the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship with a game to spare as they defeated Korea Republic 1-0 in dramatic fashion at Hankou Culture & Sports Centre Stadium on Friday.
The deadlock was finally broken 89 minutes into a closely-fought contest by midfielder Nutwadee as the Southeast Asians chalked up their second win in succession, having defeated Iran 4-0 in their opener on Wednesday, and will now at the very least match their fourth place finish at the 2013 edition.
Thailand eliminated Korea Republic in the group stage of the 2013 tournament and Nuengrutai Srathongvian’s side put a huge dent in the East Asians’ prospects of semi-final qualification for the 2015 edition, with even victory in their final game against Iran potentially not being enough to see them through to the knockout stage.
“Playing in the FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer was fantastic, but this was a miracle,” said coach Nuengrutai, whose side will take on China in their final Group A tie.
“We still have some points to improve upon and we learnt a lot from the Korea Republic team, which we thank them for.
“But now we are into the semi-finals and we will aim to reach the final.”
Thailand began the tie strongly but it was Korean midfielder Jung Min-young who forced the first real save of note on 16 minutes after she rounded Suthinan Samphatthonglaen on the left-side of the area before drawing a flying save out of Pantip Rawiwat at her near post.
Korea Republic began to take control of the game as Lee Yee-un then found herself set clear on goal by Gwon Hui-seon shortly after, but the forward could only hit the side-netting.
Thailand, though, remained a danger, and forward Kanyanat Chetthabutr almost punished Jung Seong-eun’s dallying on the ball but she was unable to beat Kang Hye-rim with a tame effort.
And on the stroke of half-time, Thailand should have gone in a goal up as Matchima Kongthip’s cross from the left found Kanyanat inside the six-yard-area but Kang was again equal to the close-range shot.
The second half began in cagey fashion but Lim Su-bin had a golden chance to open the scoring in the 67th minute after the ball broke to her six yards out but the midfielder crashed her shot onto the crossbar with the goal gaping.
Thailand looked to finish the stronger, though, and Yaowaporn Lohrmann’s header from Phonphirun Philawan’s corner was tipped over in the closing minutes before better was to come for the Thais.
The subsequent corner was hooked back into the danger area by Pradthana Songkram and Nutwadee stabbed the ball home to secure victory for Nuengrutai’s side and spark wild celebrations on the Thai bench.
“The condition of the players was not good and that’s the main reason for our failure today,” said Korea Republic coach Ha Keum-jin.
“We tried to attack but mentally we were lacking. I tried to change the positions, tactics and personnel on the field but unfortunately we were still unable to get the result we needed.
“If our players were a little bit calmer we could have won but before the match it seemed the players perhaps expected to win the match too easily.”
Photo: WSG