Thai Women Sparkle In Big Win Over Timor-Leste

With six weeks remaining before the ASEAN Women’s MSIG Serenity Cup™ 2025 kicks off in Vietnam, record winners Thailand appear to be hitting their stride after a hat-trick by Saowalak Peng-ngam lifted them to a big win over Timor-Leste on Thursday.

The Thais, who have been crowned ASEAN Women’s Champions four times, are participating in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers and they opened their campaign in Group B with a 4-0 win against the Timorese in in Chiang Mai.

Saowalak starred for Futoshi Ikeda’s side, scoring three goals in the first half before Ploychompoo Somnuek netted her side’s fourth in the second minute of stoppage time at the end of the game to cap the victory.

The win moves Thailand into third place in the early standings, one point behind group leaders Iraq, who have played one game more. Timor-Leste are fourth with one point from two games having drawn 0-0 with the Iraqis on Monday.

Saowalak put Thailand in front against Timor-Leste in the sixth minute with a right-foot strike from inside the penalty area and doubled the advantage 25 minutes later with a clinical finish into the bottom corner.

The 28-year-old then completed her hat-trick in the final minute of the first half when she pounced on an error by the Timor-Leste defence to score.

Ploychompoo scored her side’s fourth with a deft side-footed volley from seven yards out to cap a comfortable win for Thailand.

Several ASEAN teams will be in action in the Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers this coming weekend with Thailand continuing their campaign against Iraq, and Timor-Leste meeting India, while Myanmar host Turkmenistan in Yangon and Indonesia meet Kyrgyzstan in Tangerang.

Elsewhere, MSIG Serenity Cup™ hosts Vietnam will take on the Maldives, defending champions the Philippines meet Saudi Arabia, and Cambodia face Hong Kong.

Thailand have been drawn in Group A of the MSIG Serenity Cup™ alongside hosts Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia while the Philippines, Myanmar, Australia and Timor-Leste will feature in Group B.

The tournament kicks off in August 6 and runs until August 19 with matches to be played at Lạch Tray Stadium in Hải Phòng and Việt Trì Stadium in Phú Thọ.

Photo Credit: Philippine Football Federation

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