Thailand’s futsal team has qualified for the round of 16 of the World Cup for the fourth consecutive time. In this year’s tournament, they finished second in their group, after beating Croatia 2-1, overcoming Cuba 10-5 and losing 1-9 to Brazil. In the round of 16, they will face France, who are making their World Cup debut.
With not too much difference in strength between the two teams, the Thai futsal team is determined to defeat the French team, to enter the quarter-finals of the Futsal World Cup for the first time.
In the latest training session, star Suphawut said: "We are ready for tomorrow's match against France with the goal of winning a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
In this match, we will not play for ourselves but for the dignity of the Thai people and the future of futsal in our country.
We will have to show our full potential, give more than 100% against France. We must be fully focused if we want to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time and make history.”
In the group stage, the Thai futsal team defeated Croatia - a team with a higher ranking than them and a similar style to the French team. That helped coach Miguel Rodrigo and his team gain confidence.
“We will not have an easy match against France, they play the same style as Croatia. Their players are tall, strong and have good skills, many of them play in the Spanish league.
Our tactics for Friday's game will be different to the Croatia game and if we can repeat the performance we had against Croatia in the group stage, we have a chance of beating France.
We have 4 days to prepare for this match. The players will have to work hard to improve their level, the determination from every member if they want to reach the World Cup quarter-finals and make history," said Miguel Rodrigo.
Rodrigo's opinion was supported by his student Itticha Praphaphan. He shared: "I think France is a strong team and quite similar to Croatia. We have to support each other throughout the match, especially when defending. Our goal is to win and reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time."
The Thailand vs France futsal match will take place at 7:30 p.m. on September 27. The winning team will meet Paraguay in the quarterfinals.
