Group B: Germany | Ivory Coast | Norway | Thailand
Thailand is set to make its first Women's World Cup appearance, but how will they fare in a group that features powerhouse Germany?
The journey
Thailand is one team that has certainly benefited from the expanded Women's World Cup field. With the number of Asian Football Confederation berths increasing from three to five, Thailand secured the final spot with a difficult 2-1 win against host Vietnam in a fifth-place playoff at the 2014 Women's Asian Cup.
World Rankings
Thailand peaked at 31st overall in the FIFA rankings last year:
The rep
Thailand's strength is a passing game that relies on good spacing and a keen awareness between teammates. Many of the players have been together for years on national youth teams, so their understanding of where to put the ball results in effective, short passes that move the ball around opponents. Thailand made a coaching change during World Cup qualifying, promoting assistant Nuengrutai Srathongvian to the lead post. While that move could be jarring for some programs, Srathongvian is a familiar face for her players; she also oversees Thailand's under-16 and under-19 programs.
Projected Formation
Thailand has used mostly a 4-5-1 lineup in recent months:
The question
The fact that other countries will not be as familiar with Thailand's style may play to its advantage, and a well-executed game plan could upset opponents who expect a pushover. If the players can remain composed and compact as a unit, Thailand could have a respectable showing. But any expectations of the team advancing past a group that sports two experienced programs in Germany and Norway will be too much to ask in its Cup debut.
Players to watch
Here are three Thailand players who should be on your radar:
• Darut Changplook, D: The veteran defender is known as much for her strong back-line play as her signature blue-dyed hair. After failing to qualify two previous times, she will look to make the most of the big stage.
• Nisa Romyen, F: A speedy striker who is an offensive threat along with teammate Kanjana Sung-Ngoen, Romyen is adept at latching on to passes behind the D-line. She had eight goals in three preliminary-round matches that served as qualifiers for the final stage of the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers.
• Taneekarn Dangda, F: Football is in the 22-year-old forward's genes. Her father played for Royal Thai Air Force FC, and her brother, Teerasil, is on the men's national team. Her club time with Ostersunds DFF (Sweden second division) will help at the Women's World Cup.
Group-stage schedule
Thailand's first two matches will be at Lansdowne Stadium in Ottawa, while the third will be held at Winnipeg Stadium:
• June 7: Norway, 1 p.m. ET
• June 11: Ivory Coast, 7 p.m. ET
• June 15: Germany, 4 p.m. ET
Foudy's Take
Group B has not one, but two Women's World Cup debutants in Ivory Coast and Thailand. I love new countries being exposed to the World Cup and the excitement that generates. But, at the end of the group stage, Germany will take first place and Norway second in this group.
Social Scene
#ThaiWNT will go to the @FIFAWWC as newly crowned Champion of Southeast Asia. Nisa Romyen scored 9 goals in the tournament. #RoadToCanada
- thai-fussball.com (@thaifussballde) May 10, 2015
