Critics’ claims that “Thailand will go to the World Cup in the next life” have been proven partly wrong as the country has secured its first ever finals berth — although it is for the Women’s World Cup and not the men’s showpiece tournament.
Thai players celebebrate after beating Vietnam at the Women’s Asian Cup in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Thais beat Vietnam 2-1 in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday to finish fifth at the AFC Women's Asian Cup, earning a ticket to the 2015 Women’s World Cup to be held in Canada.
It is a great achievement and beating Vietnam on their home soil is often a tough job for Thailand.
At the Women’s Asian Cup, the Thais also defeated Myanmar 3-1 in their only other win of the tournament.
Thailand defeated the same two opponents on their way to winning the SEA Games gold medal in Myanmar last year.
At the SEA Games, Thailand edged Myanmar on penalties in the semi-finals and finished off Vietnam 2-1 in the final.
While reaching the World Cup finals is a huge success for Thailand, they must not get carried away by the achievement.
Indeed, they defeated only Asean opponents at the Women’s Asian Cup. Thailand suffered two heavy defeats against class opponents in Ho Chi Minh City, losing 7-0 to China and 4-0 to South Korea.
Everything seemed to favour Thailand in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
The number of teams at the 2015 World Cup has been increased to 24 from 16 with Asia receiving five spots, two more than the previous allocation.
North Korea, one of Asia's powerhouses, were suspended from taking part in the 2015 Women's World Cup after their players failed dope tests.
Had North Korea been in the Asian Cup, Thailand might not have earned a World Cup berth.
The North Koreans have won the Asian Cup three times and finished second in the previous tournament in 2010.
It will be a completely different story for Thailand at the World Cup, where they could face the world’s top teams, who are considered stronger than Asian sides, such as Brazil, the US and Germany.
It is feared that Thailand could concede 30 goals in their three group games at next year’s World Cup, or 10 per match on average.
Nuanphan Lamsam, who has been manager of the Thai women’s national side for five years, knows a tough task is awaiting Thailand at the Women’s World Cup.
“It will be a very tough job for our team,’’ said Nuanphan.
“Now that we have qualified for the World Cup, we must try to avoid an embarrassing spell at the finals. We will do our best to get at least a point at the World Cup.”
This year’s Asian Games, to be held in Incheon, South Korea, will be a good test for Thailand ahead of the 2015 World Cup.
The players will return to the training camp on June 2 to begin their preparations for the Sept 19-Oct 4 Asian Games.
They will train overseas and play warm-up matches against foreign sides ahead of the quadrennial event.
As for the Football Association of Thailand, critics say it should do more for long-term development of all national sides.
FAT president Worawi Makudi has been criticised for only trying to pose with a successful team. He was at the stadium when Thailand beat Vietnam and was among the first people to celebrate the victory.
They have called on him to set a concrete plan instead of promising a bonus for a successful side.
As the 2014 World Cup for men is drawing near, it is certain that some FAT bosses will declare that the men’s national team will secure their first ever finals berth at the next World Cup, and then do nothing to achieve the dream.
Thailand manager Nuanphan Lamsam, centre, celebrate with her players.