Fifa Women’s World Cup: Thailand tears, Endler impresses, US storm through
United States and Sweden qualify for the round of 16 in France
Fifa Women’s World Cup group F Sweden 5 Thailand 1
Thailand may have conceded 18 goals in their opening two games of the Fifa Women’s World Cup but their consolation against Sweden on Sunday will go down as one of the tournament’s great moments.
After being thrashed 13-0 by defending champions United States, Thailand had another tough task when facing the Swedes in the group F clash in Nice.
At 4-0 down, Thailand scored their goal in injury-time thanks to a strike from captain Kanjana Sung-Ngoen. Sweden went on to score a fifth, but the focus was on the Thai goal and the reactions on the sidelines.
Thai head coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian and her staff were in tears on the bench after Sung-Ngoen’s 91st-minute goal.
Srathongvian said: “The goal made us laugh, made us smile and makes us happy. It was a difficult goal to score and, playing a great team like Sweden, it meant so much.
“It meant that all of our preparation paid off. Our defeat in the last game was massive. Yes, we were disappointed, but even if we scored one today we had some success.”
United States 3 Chile 0: Endler shines for Chile
Sweden’s 5-1 win over Thailand means they are through to the last-16 of the Women’s World Cup and they are joined in the knockout stages by the United States.
The tournament favourites beat Chile 3-0 to secure their place in the round of 16. Carli Lloyd (two) and Julie Ertz were on the scoresheet.
US were dominant in the win in Paris and the scoreline could have been even more had it not been for the heroics of Chile keeper Christiane Endler, who made several superb saves.
“I’m sad for the defeat, but happy for my performance,” said Endler. “I prepared intensely this last year to come to the World Cup and perform to the best of my ability. It’s a mix of feelings, but I’m satisfied to have played like this, especially here, at this stadium that’s my home.”
In the final group F matches on Thursday 20 June Thailand face Chile (8pm, BBC red button and online) and the US play Sweden (8pm, BBC Four).
A draw for the US will be enough for them to finish top of the group ahead of Sweden on goal difference.
Fifa Women’s World Cup fixtures
BBC Sport will show coverage of the World Cup. All times BST.
Monday 17 June
- Group B: China vs. Spain (5pm, BBC online); South Africa vs Germany (5pm, BBC red button and online)
- Group A: Nigeria vs. France (8pm, BBC Four); South Korea vs. Norway (8pm, BBC red button and online)
Tuesday 18 June
- Group C: Jamaica vs. Australia (8pm, BBC red button and online); Italy vs. Brazil (8pm, BBC Four)
Wednesday 19 June
- Group D: Japan vs. England (8pm, BBC One); Scotland vs. Argentina (8pm, BBC Four and BBC ALBA)
Thursday 20 June
- Group E: Cameroon vs. New Zealand (5pm, BBC red button and online); Netherlands vs. Canada (5pm, BBC online)
- Group F: Sweden vs. US (8pm, BBC Four); Thailand vs. Chile (8pm, BBC red button and online)
Knockout dates
- 22-25 June: round of 16
- 27-29 June: quarter-finals
- 2-3 July: semi-finals
- 6 July: third/fourth-placed match
When is the final?
The 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup final will be played in Lyon on Sunday 7 July (4pm BST).
