India vs Thailand Match Details
Date: Sunday, 24 September 2023
Time: 13:30 (IST)
Venue: Wenzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Wenzhou
India vs Thailand Match Preview
After an excellent first half in which India restricted Chinese Taipei from scoring and created chances with Manisha Kalyan hitting the crossbar, Anju Tamang’s strike only moments after the restart made the whole nation dream. The 38th-ranked nation was well above India’s 61st and the strike could have been crucial in a difficult group. However, the team failed to manage the game as wasted opportunity came back to bite them. Substitute Lai Li-chin smashed in the equalizer from a free-kick in the 68th minute while another replacement Su Yu-hsuan rolled into the empty net for the winner after India’s goalkeeper Shreya Hooda, who had been brilliant in between the sticks, committed an error coming out of her goal.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the Blue Tigresses who gave it all on the pitch for a positive result. The defeat puts them in a precarious position now because not only do they have to win against Thailand in the next match but also hope other results go their way. A draw will complex the situation even further and something Thomas Dennerby’s side will not want. Finishing second will provide no guarantees for qualification to the last eight of the contest although it will keep them in contention.
However, a defeat to the 48th-ranked Thailand will surely end the Asian Games campaign for the Indian women’s team. In that case, the bronze medallists in the SEA Games will have a direct battle with Chinese Taipei next week for the top spot. The winners of the group will earn an automatic entry to the knockouts of the women’s football tournament. Only three best runners-up will be considered for a place in the quarterfinals with results against fourth-placed team in four-team groups not being considered. With India’s group containing three teams, all the results will be used to determine the rankings. So, finishing second might not give a helping hand for advancing to the quarterfinals.
Indian Women’s team Squad
Goalkeepers: Shreya Hooda, Sowmiya Narayanasamy, Panthoi Chanu
Defenders: Ashalata Devi, Sweety Devi, Ritu Rani, Dalima Chhibber, Astam Oraon, Sanju, Ranjana Chanu
Midfielders: Sangita Basfore, Priyangka Devi, Indumathi Kathiresan, Anju Tamang, Soumya Guguloth, Dangmei Grace
Forwards: Pyari Xaxa, Jyoti Chauhan, Renu, Bala Devi, Manisha Kalyan, Sandhiya Ranganathan
Head Coach: Thomas Dennerby
