Thailand's chances bleak in Russia, says coach Kiattipong
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Thailand's chances of making it to the six-team finals of the FIVB World Grand Prix look bleak. The team, which registered only one win in Pool C matches in Turkey last week, face a daunting task in Pool J this week when they go up against much stronger r
Thailand, which finished an incredible fourth last year, kicked off their World Grand Prix campaign this year in Ankara, Turkey with results that did not live up to expectations. The Thai team lost to Japan, bronze medallists at last year’s London Olympics, and hosts Turkey – both in straight sets – but enjoyed a comfortable win against debutantes Algeria in straight sets.
Ekaterinburg now gets set to host Pool J matches from today to Sunday, with former three-time Olympic winners Cuba, two-time World Cup champions Italy, defending world champions Russia and AVC Cup winners Thailand fighting for a ticket to the FIVB World Grand Prix Finals in Sapporo, Japan from August 28 to September 1.
Volleyball fans in Ekaterinburg will get to see Russia’s new senior women’s team, coached by Yuriy Marichev. This season the team will be without players like Ekaterina Gamova, the best spiker in the history of Russian volleyball, and middle blockers Yulia Morozova and Maria Perepelkina.
Thai head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai said, “This is our first time in the World Grand Prix in Russia and I hope my team will do their best although there are much stronger rivals in Pool J here. A tough task awaits my girls here, but I know they will always try their best.
“We have a difficult chance of qualifying for the finals. We lost two matches and collected only three points, while four strong teams such as Japan, Serbia, Italy and China have nine points. With only the top five teams plus hosts Japan advancing after the three-week preliminary round, Thailand must work very hard in an effort to keep our hopes alive.
“To fulfil such a difficult mission, we need to top Pool J here as well as top Pool L in home matches against Russia, Germany and Puerto Rico from August 16 to 18 at Hua Mark Indoor Stadium. Or at least, we have to emerge winners in one and second place next week. It’s quite tough, but we have nowhere to go but up. We will do our best.
“We will take on Cuba in the first match. Although we have beaten them three times in a row, that does not guarantee that we can repeat that feat easily,” he said.
Today, Russia take on Italy in the curtain-raiser match of Pool J at 6pm Bangkok time, while Thailand challenge old foes Cuba. Channel 7 will televise the Thailand-Cuba match live from 8.30pm.
