'Disappointed' Nualphan blasts 'unfair' tactics as women's squad settle for silver

'Disappointed' Nualphan blasts 'unfair' tactics as women's squad settle for silver

Thailand women's football team manager Nualphan Lamsam, left, with members of her squad.
Thailand women's football team manager Nualphan Lamsam, left, with members of her squad.

Manager Nualphan Lamsam yesterday squared the blame for her team's failure to defend their women's football title at the 29th SEA Games in Malaysia on "unfair" tactics used by the host country.

Thailand settled for the silver medal behind Vietnam.

The Thai women's team played their last game of the single-league competition in the afternoon, beating the Philippines 3-1 to finish with 10 points on Thursday.

Vietnam, who entered their last match with seven points and a clear idea of what was needed to pip the defending champions on goal difference, went on to accomplish their mission as they thrashed hosts Malaysia 6-0 in the evening.

Nualphan and other members of the team were at the venue to see Vietnam steal away the gold medal from their grasp.

Nualphan said: "Of course, we are very disappointed with the way the competition was organised.

"We requested a change in the schedule but the organisers rejected it. I feel it was unfair because both Thailand and Vietnam were the leading contenders for the gold medal.

"We requested twice. The feedback we had on our second request was during half-time of our match against the Philippines, which was of no use at all."

Nualphan added: "The afternoon weather was very hot and it forced our players to drink a lot water.

"The referee also committed a lot of mistakes. If there are any media recordings available, you can replay and see what actually happened."

The Thai women's team manager also implied that the hosts had conspired against the Thai team.

"I am not trying to take anything away from the Vietnamese -- they are a strong team," she said.

"I just want to know why Malaysia sent in all of their substitute players in the [last] match?

"It was not the same team that we played earlier.

"The Thai football president, Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang, had advised us to pull out of the tournament, but we didn't do it to keep the spirit of the SEA Games."

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