Chaba Kaew target 2nd round spot

Chaba Kaew target 2nd round spot

Thailand meet Chile in must-win match

Thailand hope to beat Chile in their final group game on Wednesday and qualify for the next round at the Women's World Cup in France.

Thailand and Chile are still looking for their first point at France 2019 after two losses in their opening two games in Group F.

The Chileans lost 2-0 to Sweden and 3-0 to the US, while the Chaba Kaew were hammered 13-0 by the defending champions Americans and 5-1 by the Swedes.

Without a single point after two games, both teams could still progress to the next round with a win at Roazhon Park in Rennes tonight.

Thailand might need just a simple victory to earn a ticket to the round of 16 if other results go their way.

Thailand are No.34 in the world rankings and Chile No.39 but the bookies see the South Americans heavy favourites against the Southeast Asians.

"It will not be an easy game although our world ranking is higher than theirs,'' Thailand coach Nuengruethai Sathongwien said on Wednesday.

"They have a better chance of qualifying for the next round thanks to their better goal difference. But we still have a chance to qualify for the next round and we have to beat Chile. We have a slim chance of progressing but we will do our best for our country. We will have to attack more than we did in the first two games.

"Chile usually play with the long ball and we have to keep a close watch on their forward Daniela Zamora. The game should be an interesting one as both teams are at the same level."

Captain Kanjana Sungngoen's goal against Sweden has boosted the Thais' morale.

Thailand midfielder Rattikan Thongsombut told Fifa TV: "It gave me goosebumps, especially when I saw the team manager [Nualphan Lamsam] crying on the bench. The first goal is very crucial to all of us because it relieved us from the massive pressure of the defeat against the US."

It is Thailand's second World Cup appearance. At Canada 2015, the Thais had two 4-0 losses to Germany and Norway.

They beat Ivory Coast 3-2 but missed out on a place in the second round on goal difference.

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