Spikers aim for berth in world finals
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The Thailand women's volleyball team leaves today for Almaty, Kazakhstan, to participate in the 3rd AVC Cup, the qualification tournament for the FIVB World Grand Prix next year.
The biennial competition, at the B Sholak Sport and Culture Palace from September 10 to 16, will feature the top eight teams in Asia last year battling for two berths. China and Japan have automatically qualified.
Thailand, who recently stunned the volleyball world by beating European champions Serbia and former three-time Olympic champions Cuba in the World Olympic Qualification Tournament, are in Pool A along with South Korea, Taiwan and hosts Kazakhstan, while Pool B consists of Japan, China, Vietnam and Iran.
The Thais, who finished fourth in the World Grand Prix this year, will take on South Korea in their opening match on September 10, while reigning two-time champions China will meet Olympic bronze medallists Japan in a clash of titans. The other two matches see Vietnam play Iran and Taiwan face the hosts.
“Our target is to finish among the top four. I don’t think it will be easy for us to advance to the final as in the previous edition. Every team is tough. We have to take one match at a time, make a strong plan and execute on the day. I hope my players will make their mark,” said Thai head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai.
Thailand’s squad for the tournament remains unchanged from that which contested the Grand Prix and World Olympic Qualification Tournament, with hard-hitting Onuma Sittirak, Pleumjit Thinkaow and Wilavan Apinyapong all travelling.
Elsewhere, India set up a rematch with defending two-time champions Iran in the semi-finals of the 3rd Asia Cup for men in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam. China were to take on Japan in the other semi-final clash, late on Thursday.
Myanmar take on South Korea and hosts Vietnam face Australia in the 5th-8th classification round. Today is the final day of the top-flight competition, which started on Saturday.
