Thailand pull off hard-fought three-set win over Peru in their last WOQT match

Emotional scenes sparked across the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium after the Thai match yesterday, with the dreams of the Thailand’s first ever Olympics at least another four years away.

 

The overjoyed Thai players celebrated their victory over Peru, but shortly after that, a different script was written when some of the players wept in tears and the whole team hugged one another.

 

Thai head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai also hugged each player and had his forehead touched with each of them, thanking them for doing their best in this tournament. Many players walked in tears out of the competition venue.

 

At the press conference room, Thai spiker Wilavan Apinyapong wept in tears while attempting to speak about her life after this. Tears dropped and sound of whining could be heard. From then, many Thai journalists attending the meeting shed their tears, a Thai liaison was also in tears while hearing Wilavan say.

 

“My team and I would like to say that we are very disappointed that we could not make it to the Olympic Games. I’m so sorry that we could not make the Thai dreams come true although we have already tried our best. I’m saying this might be my last effort for the Olympics. During the past 12 years, I had been working hard only to lead my team to the Olympics, but we just failed again and again. I leave all the Thai hopes and dreams with the young generations. Brighter future is in their hands. I will support them from behind,” she said.

 

Kiattipong admitted that it was not easy to beat Peru in straight sets. He thanked all his team players and staff coaches who played viral roles in helping win the last match of the competitive tournament.

 

“I think we did our best. Failure to make the cut for the Olympics is a suffering. I told my players to try their best in the remaining match against Peru. I knew everyone is sad and disappointed to miss the cut for the Rio Games, but I told them we can’t give up. We must fight on,” he said.

 

Thailand could not qualify for the Rio Games on Saturday when Korea, the Netherlands, Italy and hosts Japan paraded to secure their Olympic berths. Thailand, however, had the similar performance as the Olympic Qualification Tournament four years ago when they won four matches and lost three to have 12 points overall after completing seven matches. The Thai finished fifth in the tournament.

 

The Thai team return today and will leave again for Switzerland on May 28 to be pitted in the Montreux Volley Masters before next travelling to China, Italy and Japan for the first three weeks of the World Grand Prix Preliminaries. The Finals will take place in Bangkok from July 6-10.