A serving of football with your food? Thai quartet spice up S’pore’s Women’s National League

SINGAPORE – In the day, Orapin Waenngoen works as a waitress at the Cafe Football Singapore in Woodleigh.

But at night, she laces up her boots for training at the Bukit Gombak Stadium.

It is an unusual off-season for the Thailand national footballer and her compatriots Sunisa Srangthaisong, Pikul Khueanpet and Waraporn Boonsing, but this has been the routine for them since they arrived in Singapore about a fortnight ago.

The quartet, who have competed at previous editions of the Women’s World Cup, are full-time players back home.

But they decided to embark on a new adventure here – working in the restaurant while playing for second-tier Women’s National League team Royal Arion.

Orapin, 27, even gave up her spot at the Sept 23-Oct 8 Asian Games in Hangzhou for this stint, but she and her teammates are relishing the experience.

Royal Arion president Simon Tan, who is also the owner of Cafe Football and football facility The Arena Singapore, had recruited them after a friend in Thailand introduced him to their club, BGC-College of Asian Scholars.

After watching a game, he asked if a few players could come to Singapore. But, with the Thai league finishing at the end of July, the players could not be registered for Royal Arion’s sister club Still Aerion, who play in the top-tier Women’s Premier League.

Speaking through a translator, goalkeeper Waraporn, 33, said: “We want to gain more experience in working at a cafe and, whatever language I can pick up, I would want to learn.

“I’ve got no experience in working as a waitress. The culture in Thailand is that if you’re a footballer, you just get paid to play. We’re adapting and also having fun, this is a new life experience.”

Despite not speaking much English, the Thais have been quick to learn the language, even picking up some Singlish with phrases like “thank you ah” as part of their vocabulary.

Adjusting to life on the pitch has been a breeze for these seasoned footballers.

During a training session last week, Sunisa, who captained Thailand at the 2019 World Cup, was in her element on the field while dishing out commands to her teammates.

They starred in the team’s 13-0 victory over Bussorah Youths SC in their WNL opener last Sunday, with Orapin bagging eight goals, Pikul getting two and Sunisa scoring a penalty.

The club will play Commonwealth Cosmos FC at the Toa Payoh Stadium on Sunday.

Tan is hoping that his players can learn from the Thais during the season, which ends in October.

The 44-year-old said: “With their inclusion in the training sessions, it has increased the intensity of the group...

“I always believe if you get to play and train together with good players, you will eventually match up to their level.

“You may not be as good as them but definitely, it will improve your standard overall.

“With them coming to the WNL, I hope there will be more people coming to watch and lift the standard of our local women’s football.”

Tan and the players are hoping that this is not a one-off stint and he is looking at ways for more players to come to Singapore.

For the foursome, their aim is to raise the profile of Thai women footballers and increase opportunities for those back home.

They also noted the progress of the sport in the world and the region, particularly with the recent Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand breaking attendance and TV broadcast records.

Waraporn recalled how at the 2015 World Cup in Canada, a boy who worked in catering for the team found out where Thailand was only through the tournament.

Thailand was then the first South-east Asian country to qualify for the event, and others have since stepped up on the sport’s biggest stage.

While they did not qualify for the 2023 World Cup, Vietnam and the Philippines made their maiden appearance at the quadrennial event.

Sunisa said: “We feel very happy for the teams to be part of the World Cup.

“We saw how Vietnam played in Spain for a friendly match, we can see that both of the teams have improved drastically.”

Their own exploits have also given their careers a much-needed boost – they are paid to play football and their education is fully covered.

Patrons at Cafe Football have also recognised them during their shifts.

Seeing the support they have received on the international stage, including from fans in other countries, has been heartening for Pikul.

That was one of the highlights for her at the World Cup, with the 34-year-old adding: “I’m very grateful for all the fans, not just those from Thailand who are cheering us on.”