FUTSAL – THAILAND kicked off their AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup China 2025 Group C campaign with a resounding 4-0 win against Bahrain at the Hohhot Sports Centre yesterday.
The win sets the Southeast Asian side up nicely for their clash against Indonesia tomorrow while Bahrain will need victory against Japan to revive their quarter-final hopes.
Thailand were on the offensive from the start with Darika Peanpailun causing problems for the Bahraini defence - setting up Lalida Chimpabut, who flashed her effort across the face of the goalmouth.
Bahrain responded by almost taking the lead in the third minute with Manar Yaqoob weaving through the box before unleashing a shot but the 30-year-old was denied by the right post.
Thailand came close two minutes later when Jenjira Bubpha fed a cutback to Darika who, however, fumbled with the ball going out of play.
Bahrain continued to frustrate Thailand with keeper Khulood Saleh Adam denying Saovapha Tranga before repelling Darika from distance.
The West Asian side’s resistance was finally broken in the 14th minute after Janistar Nunabee finished off her surging run down the left flank with a cross for Sasikarn Tongdee, who finished from close range.
Boosted by the goal, Thailand committed more bodies forward but Saleh Adam was on top of her game, with her fine save to deny Saovapha from distance the pick of the bunch.
Any hope of a Bahrain comeback was extinguished as Thailand doubled their lead through Jenjira in the 25th minute with a well orchestrated move down the centre to finish off Arriya Saetoen’s through pass.
Bahrain conceded again a minute later after Sasikarn Tongdee set up Patitta Moolpho, who finished clinically from the top of the arc.
Darika showed her class in the 31st minute after evading her marker before striking home a powerful shot from just inside the box to cap an emphatic win for Thailand.
Meanwhile, Japan produced a dominant display to defeat Indonesia 5-2 in their Group C opener yesterday.
Japan took a 4-0 lead going into the break and will expect to continue their momentum going into their match against Bahrain tomorrow, while Indonesia have to bounce back against Thailand.
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