Thailand go to Taiwan with hope
Asian champions Thailand departed yesterday morning to defend their crown in the 16th Asian Senior Women's Volleyball Championship in Taiwan from September 15 to 23.
Thailand, whose sixth-place finish at the World Grand Prix recently put them among the top 10 for the first time in the FIVB world rankings, will play their first match against Vietnam at 1pm on Thursday. The 14 teams in the tournament comprise hosts Taiwan, Iran and Indonesia in Pool A; title-holders and world No 10 Thailand, Vietnam and Australia in Pool B; 11-time champions China, Kazakhstan, North Korea and India in Pool C; and Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka and debutants Turkmenistan in Pool D.
The Asian champions will represent the continent in the World Cup in Japan in November and also in the first London Olympics Qualifying Tournament. The first runners-up will get a berth in the World Cup if their world ranking is better than the four teams finishing second in continental competitions. If Japan, who automatically qualify as hosts, emerge as the Asian champions in Taiwan, then the team finishing second in the tournament will be eligible for the World Cup. The team finishing third will also have a good chance of making the cut. The top three teams in the World Cup join hosts Great Britain at next year's London Olympic Games.
"This is a crucial tournament for us. China, who lost to us in the World Grand Prix Finals in Macau, will be looking to avenge the defeat. I heard that the Chinese team has been training intensively in Fujian," said Thailand head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai.
"Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan and hosts Taiwan are also strong and expected to mount a challenge. We can't underestimate any team this time. We will more or less have the same starting line-up that played in Macau. Thailand are the first team in the world to use two libero players at the same time in one match. The strategy worked pretty well for us.
"My players are in good physical and mental shape. Our chances of retaining the title are bright. I don't want to put undue pressure on my players. So I set reaching the final four stage as the initial target. I hope my players will do their best and refrain from making unforced mistakes.
"After Vietnam, we next take on Australia. The first two matches should not cause any problem to my team. Our real challenge begins at the last eight stage, where we are likely to face Japan and South Korea," he said.
Channel 7 will televise all matches involving Thailand, including the first two encounters, against Vietnam at 1pm on September 15 and against Australia at 3pm on September 17.
