Women's World Cup: USA Begin Title Defence Against Thais

USA vs Thailand

The United States women’s national team will begin the defence of their Women’s World Cup title with a Group F matchup against Thailand.

The Women’s World Cup 2019 betting odds have the defending champions as one of the favourites to win the tournament along with Germany, who begin their campaign against China, and hosts France, who demolished Korea Republic 4-0 in their group opener.

The USWNT will be eager to kickstart their tournament in similarly impressive fashion and should have the attacking talent to do so. And it will be up to the Chaba Kaew to overcome their recent struggles if they are to prevent another heavy World Cup defeat.

Talking Points

Team USA’s potent attack

Team USA will head into this year’s Women’s World Cup in terrific form. They won their five pre-tournament friendly matches by a total scoreline of 22-3, albeit not against the most imposing of opponents.

Prior to that, they drew two of their three matches in the SheBelieves Cup (against Japan and England), but beat Brazil 1-0 to finish runners-up in the tournament. They also lost 3-1 in a friendly against France back in January.

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Although, it should be noted that that defeat snapped a remarkable 28-match unbeaten run (25 wins, three draws) that dated back to 2017.

The USWNT boast perhaps the most impressive collection of attacking talent in the entire tournament, with the likes of Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath, Mallory Pugh, Christen Press, and Carli Lloyd for coach Jill Ellis to call upon. That group is certainly capable of producing a host of Women’s World Cup 2019 highlights in each and every game.

The 36-year-old Lloyd, who was the co-leading scorer in the 2015 Women’s World Cup with six goals, will head into this year’s tournament in particularly fine form. She’s scored five goals in her last handful of matches for the U.S.

Team USA’s defence is a bit of a concern, particularly the full-back positions, but the Thais are highly unlikely to trouble the Americans’ backline.

USA will be aiming for a strong start in the Women's World Cup when they face Thailand — Carli Lloyd celebrates with Megan Rapinoe after scoring in an international friendly match against South Africa

Thailand in trouble

Thailand are set to participate in their second-ever Women’s World Cup. They made their debut in the 2015 tournament, losing 4-0 to both Norway and Germany but beating the Ivory Coast 3-2 as they just missed out on the knockout stage via goal difference.

The Chaba Kaew qualified for the Women’s World Cup by reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 Women’s Asian Cup, where they fell to Australia on penalties. They then emerged victorious in the 2018 AFF Women’s Championship, winning all six matches and scoring 37 goals en route to the title.

However, they have not tasted victory much since. They lost nine of their 10 matches at the Women’s Asian Games, the Yongchuan Tournament, and the Cyprus Women’s Cup, as well as their two recent friendlies. Although, they did put up a surprising fight against France and only lost 3-0 in one of those two friendlies.

Thailand’s 2019 squad is quite similar to the one they brought back in 2015. The core of that team –defenders Duangnapa Sritala and Sunisa Srangthaisong, midfielders Rattikan Thongsombut and Taneekarn Dangda and forwards Kanjana Sungngoen and Orathai Srimanee – remains intact for another World Cup run.

Meanwhile, their big new addition to the squad is midfielder Suchawadee Nildhamrong, who is half-American and played college football at the University of California, Berkeley. The 22-year-old could partner star striker Kanjana up front and potentially trouble a suspect American defence.

History

The U.S. and Thailand have met just once previously, in a 2016 friendly match in Ohio. Unsurprisingly, the Americans came away on top in a dominant 9-0 win. Carli Lloyd had a hand in seven of those goals as she recorded a hat-trick and four assists.

The United States have never lost an opening World Cup match, winning five and drawing two of those seven matches. However, those two draws have curiously come against Asian opposition — North Korea and China.

Betting Tip

	USA vs Thailand	USA Asian Handicap -4.50 @ 1.57
	June 12, 03:00 (GMT+8)

The chances of Thailand pulling off an almighty upset against the USWNT are so remote that SBOBET didn’t even post odds for the match on the 1X2 market. Although, there are odds available on the Asian Handicap market, with the Americans favoured by 4.50 goals.

With the USWNT’s amazing attackers banging in goals for fun of late, the smart money seems to be on them to deliver a dominant performance en route to a comfortable win against the overmatched Thais in the opener.