Malaysia and Thailand Name Women’s ACT Squads: Underdogs With Nothing to Lose in Bhopal
Every tournament needs its underdogs, and in Bhopal they’re Malaysia and Thailand. Ranked 21st and 28th in the world, the two lowest-ranked teams in the field, and both of them know exactly what they’re up against. That’s what makes them dangerous. Nobody expects anything from them, and they’ve got nothing to lose.
Malaysia have named a 20-player squad, led by captain Noor Hasliza Ali and coached by C.R. Kumar. Their best finish at this tournament was third place, way back in 2013, and they’ve been chasing a return to that level ever since. The squad has two goalkeepers, Fitrinur Ramlee and Nur Zainal, and a core built around Zati Muhamad, Siti Mohd, Zawiatul Hartomo, Azmyra Azhairy, Nurhanie Tarmizi, Nur Azhar, Nur Mazlan, Siti Shaikh, Nur Shamine Azureen, Insyirah Effarizal, Fatin Sukri, Dian Nazeri, Khairunnisa Mohd, Nuramirah Zulkifli, Nurmaizatul Syafi, Nur Ahmad and Nur Ridzuan.
Thailand’s group is smaller, 18 players, and it’s led by captain Supansa Samanso with Young Wook Bae as head coach. Their best finish was fourth place in 2021, and that remains the benchmark. Nantikarn Bunrit and Siraya Yimkrajang are the goalkeepers. Suwapat Konthong, Kunthida Khamsangwan, Marisa Al Mass, Kunjira Inpa, Sudarat Noo-Keaw, Arucha Komolwit, Jiratchaya Todkaew, Natthakarn Aunjai, Sawita Kakkaeo, Songkran Pasawat, Nadia Smeelen, Trinetr Jirapitsatja, Phimphakan Phakdeengam, Marisah Mock and Ariya Mock make up the rest.
Brutal starts for both
Thailand get the toughest possible opener. They play China, the world’s fourth-ranked side and the tournament’s top seeds, in the very first match on Thursday 19 November at 1:00pm IST, 12:30pm PKT. Then Japan on Saturday 21 November at 4:45pm IST, 4:15pm PKT. Then hosts India on Sunday 22 November at 7:00pm IST, 6:30pm PKT. Then South Korea on Tuesday 24 November at 2:30pm IST, 2:00pm PKT. Their last game, against Malaysia on Wednesday 25 November at 2:30pm IST, is the one that could decide fifth place.
Malaysia’s run is no kinder. They open against hosts India on Thursday 19 November at 7:00pm IST, 6:30pm PKT, straight after the opening ceremony, in front of a full house in Bhopal. Then China on Saturday 21 November at 2:30pm IST, 2:00pm PKT. Then South Korea on Sunday 22 November at 4:45pm IST, 4:15pm PKT. Then Japan on Tuesday 24 November at 4:45pm IST, 4:15pm PKT. Then Thailand on Wednesday 25 November.
The semi-finals are on Friday 27 November, the bronze and final on Saturday 28 November. Realistically, both sides are playing for fifth place and pride, and for the experience of testing themselves against Asia’s best. But tournaments throw up surprises, and a single upset win changes everything.
For our money, the Malaysia-Thailand game on the last day of the round robin is the one to watch. Both sides will have taken their licks by then. The winner finishes fifth and goes home with something to show for the trip. The loser finishes last. That’s a proper game, and it deserves more attention than it’ll get.
