Thailand's women's national football team faced another challenging match at the Pink Ladies Cup 2025, suffering a 0-4 defeat against South Korea on February 23, 2025. The game took place at the Hamriyah CSC Stadium in the United Arab Emirates, marking their second consecutive loss after previously falling 1-3 to Russia.
Ranked 45th globally, the Thai team, managed by Futoshi Ikeda, entered the match against the 20th-ranked South Korea hoping to bounce back from their earlier defeat. Despite their best efforts, it was South Korea who dominated the game.
The match saw significant contributions from both teams, with South Korea scoring their first goal at the 24-minute mark. A free-kick situation saw Tiffany misplay, which allowed Jeong Da-bin to put South Korea on the scoreboard. Following this, Cho Yu-ri extended the lead to 2-0 with a well-placed header at the 33rd minute.
Adding to Thailand's woes, Ji So-yun netted the third goal just before half-time, making the score 3-0. Although the Thai women fought valiantly, opportunities to score were elusive; for example, Pichayathida Manowang struck the crossbar at the 74th minute, leaving them still scoreless.
The final nail was hammered down by Mun Eun-joo at the 77th minute, sealing the match at 4-0 as they pounced on another defensive miscue. Despite this setback, there were moments of promise for the Thai squad, which boasted players such as Thanikan Dangda, Kanjanaporn Saenkoon, and Jiraporn Mongkholdee.
Following their resurgence against Uzbekistan, which they will play next on February 26, 2025, at the same venue, the Thai team needs to concentrate on refining their tactics to secure their first points of the tournament.
Reflecting on the match, Coach Ikeda acknowledged, "Our team showed determination, but we need to improve on execution." The upcoming match against Uzbekistan will be key for Thailand's chances of progressing.
Despite the disappointing outcome, the spirit and resolve of the players remain strong as they prepare for their next encounter. The support from fans back home is palpable, and players are motivated to turn the tide with encouraging performances.