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Copper Queens fall short in five-goal thriller, but Häuptle remains optimistic.

Zambia Women’s National team head coach Nora Häuptle remains optimistic despite her team’s narrow 3-2 defeat to Thailand in an electric opening match of the 2025 Yongchuan International Tournament.

The Copper Queens were outplayed by the Chaba Kaew, in a five-goal spectacle at the Yongchuan Sports Centre Stadium on yesterday afternoon.

Goals from Racheal Nachula and returning forward Ochumba Lubanji weren’t enough to secure the win, as Thailand fought back with two quick goals in the second half to sn**ch victory.

Reflecting on the match, Häuptle praised her team’s effort and control for much of the contest.

"We had a very good start in the game," Häuptle said. "I guess good control, created a few chances, missed a bit the last precise pass. And then we ran in a counter-attack, conceded, but we re-entered well before the break into the game."

Nachula's composed equaliser in the 45th minute leveled matters after Thailand had taken the lead through Thawanrat Promthongmee.

Lubanji then put Zambia ahead shortly after the hour mark in her first international appearance since moving to Chinese club Changchun WFC.

"We also took the lead in the second half, so I would say an hour was pretty well," Häuptle noted.

However, Zambia’s advantage evaporated quickly when Thailand introduced Karnjanathat Phomsri who equalized in the 70th minute before Saowalak Pengngam converted from the spot just three minutes later to complete the turnaround.

Häuptle pointed to lapses in set-piece defending and transitional moments as the difference-makers.

"Unfortunately, we received a set-piece, second ball on a free kick and a penalty kick," she explained.

"Mostly, when we concede, it’s that we give away transitions. We have the ball, we lose it, and then we are a little bit open in the rest defence."

The match also saw a reshuffle in Zambia’s starting XI due to injuries as Fridah Kabwe and Eunice Sa

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