Down and out, Thailand hope to entertain home crowd

The hosts, who last week lost in straight games to Russia in Ekaterinburg, hope their luck will be different this time. Thailand could collect only six points from six matches in Ankara, Turkey and Ekaterinburg, to stand a distant 14th overall.

Even if Thailand win all their matches at home between today and Sunday, it would not be enough for the world No 12 team to qualify for the Grand Prix Finals in Sapporo, Japan from August 28 to September 1. Last year, Thailand performed superbly to capture fourth place.

A total of 20 teams play in the one-month-long tournament. After the first two weeks, China and Japan lead the charge with 17 points each. Serbia have 16 points, while Italy claimed 15 and two-time Olympic winners Brazil and three-time champions USA have 14 points each.

The third and final phase of the competition determines the five best-ranked teams plus hosts Japan for the finals.

In Ekaterinburg, Thailand went down to hosts and eventual Pool J winners Russia in straight sets. Thailand will host Pool L clashes against winless Puerto Rico, Germany and Russia. It’s quite certain that in Pool L, only Russia stand a good chance of making the cut for the finals. So far, the Russians have 12 points and badly need a clean sweep of victories to ensure their place in the finals.

Germany’s chances are dim as they have collected only 11 points. To secure their place in the finals, they need nine points from three wins in Bangkok and at the same time wait for the other top teams to fail in their respective pools this week.

Today, Thailand take on Puerto Rico, who have yet to win a single point following six straight losses, in the curtain-raiser match at 4pm. It will be followed by the big clash between Germany and Russia at 6pm. Channel 7 will televise the Thailand-Puerto Rico match live.

National head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai admitted that Thailand’s dreams of qualifying are over but his players will try to put up a good show before the home crowd.

 “The Pool L matches here will be a tune-up event for the two major events, the World Championship Qualification Asian Zone Final Round in Japan from September 4 to 8 and the Asian Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima from September 13 to 21,” said Kiattipong.

“We had a tough draw in this year’s World Grand Prix. We challenged much stronger teams such as Japan, Turkey, Italy and Russia in our Pool matches. We didn’t have enough time to train the players. Seven of my players played in the Azerbaijan League and after their return, played for their own clubs in the Division A.

“Although we called up youngsters to strengthen the team, their inexperience showed in big matches and their performances could not match up to the expectations. I’m disappointed that my team could not make the cut for the finals this year.

“However, we will try our best in our remaining three matches at home. With a large crowd expected, I believe my players will give their best,” he said.