AMMAN, Jordan – Cal striker Miranda Nild and the Thailand Women's National Team kick off competition at the AFC Women's Asian Cup on Friday morning in Amman, Jordan, with a spot in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup on the line. Nild, a junior forward from Castro Valley, California, is one of 23 players named to Thailand's full national team roster for the competition, which will be held April 6-20. The top five finishers at the AFC Women's Asian Cup qualify for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France.

Thailand will be competing in Group A and begins play on Friday, April 6, taking on China at 6:45 a.m. PT at Amman International Stadium. Thailand then closes out the group stage with matches against Jordan and the Philippines, respectively. The top two teams from each group qualify for the 2019 World Cup while the third-place teams will meet in a fifth-place match to determine the final spot. Thailand made its Women's World Cup debut in 2015, earning one win in the group stage in Canada.

"I am super excited to play at this level and extremely honored to get to compete with the Thai National Team," said Nild. "My Thai heritage is so important to who I am, so getting to play for the full national team is an amazing opportunity for me to connect with that side while playing the game I love. I am incredibly grateful and very excited to get out there and play."

A mainstay on the Bears' front line, Nild earned her first call-in to Thailand's full national team last April, helping the side qualify for the Asian Cup.

"It is great to see Miranda playing at the international level," said Cal head coach Neil McGuire. "She is an exceptionally talented player with a bright professional and international career ahead of her."

A 5'9" forward, Nild is coming off a stellar junior season in which she led the Bears with 15 points on seven goals and one assist. Voted the team's offensive MVP after tying for the team lead in scoring, Nild set a personal best with seven goals in 17 appearances this season, including three game-winners to help the Bears to their 14^th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

Nild is one of three current Golden Bears on international duty. Sophomore forward Abi Kim is in Spain with the Under-20 United States Women's National Team, playing in the U-23 La Manga Tournament as a tune-up for this summer's Under-20 FIFA Women's World Cup. Freshman defender Emily Smith is in Switzerland for a pair of friendlies with the Under-18 United States Women's National Team.
 
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2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup (Group A Schedule – Thailand)
Date	Match	Kickoff (PST)	Venue
April 6	Thailand vs China	6:45 a.m.	Amman International Stadium
April 9	Thailand vs Jordan	10:00 a.m.	King Abdullah Stadium
April 12	Thailand vs Philippines	10:00 a.m.	King Abdullah Stadium