Too tired, or lack of bench strength! Team let us down

It's time that an effective long-term remedy is found improve the team's fortunes.

Thailand went down to world No 4 Japan in a hard-fought five-set thriller in the semi-finals, which dashed their title dreams. It was the third in just one month that Thailand had lost to Japan. The script was similar in their next match against South Korea to determine third place. Thailand led 13-12 in the do-or-die decider, but could not hold their nerve at that juncture and went  down 15-13. What does it convey?

Thailand head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai said the Thai players lost their concentration and failed to perform under pressure. Well, I suppose a little unbridled introspection can't hurt.

One reason I could conceive was that the Thai players have been playing too much volleyball by entering in too many tournaments. Shortly after six key players, including Onuma Sittirak and Wilavan Apinyapong, returned from their overseas league assignments during April and May, they immediately joined the national team to play in the Latin Cup in June.

The tournament in Peru was followed one after the other by the Asian Women's Club Championship in Vietnam in July, the one-month-long World Grand Prix and the nine-day Asian meet in Taiwan. The squad is due to leave again for the FIVB World Women's Club Championship in Doha, Qatar, from October 8 to 14, and the SEA Games in Indonesia from November 11 to 22.

The tournament schedule is too tight, leaving the players tired after travelling from one place to another with virtually no time to rest their weary bodies. Also, more than half of the players are not young anymore. Though they seem to be in great shape and playing well, they are well into their 30s. I feel that for the brighter prospects of the team, it's high time we groom talented youngsters, who can readily fill in positions either when the seniors quit the national team or as relievers in some tournaments.

The substitutes must be given adequate competition exposure so that they will make the transition easily when they replace a key member of the team or in unexpected circumstances when a player is injured. Young players, instead of warming the bench, should be put in the starting line-up in big matches. The leap of faith will give them greater confidence.

At the same time, a sports psychologist should teach the players the right way to maintain concentration and keep the pressure off them when involved in tight contests. It's also necessary that we find young talents who are over 180cm in height as the height advantage has been an influential factor in international competitions.

Last but not the least, the government and the private sector should throw their full support

behind the Thailand Volleyball Association with sponsorships and grants.

The association can make use of the money by sending various national teams to major tournaments. It might take time for the rewards to come in, but I am sure they will one day.