High time to blood youngsters for Thai volleyball team

The Thais caused a major sensation recently by stunning perennial Asian champions China and world No 3 and London Olympic bronze medallists Japan to win the 17th Asian Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima for the second time in history.

However, more than half of the players – Pleumjit Thinkaow, Wilavan Apinyapong, Onuma Sittirak, Wanna Buakaew, Amporn Hyapha, Nootsara Tomkom and Malika Kanthong – have been playing together for more than eight years.

Though age is just a number and cannot affect the performance much, the excessive training may cause fatigue to the players. The real impact on the team would be when they happen to play gruelling matches against formidable opposition in major tournaments. Also, the senior players are likely to get unexpected injuries while training too hard.

After years of playing together, this Thailand team, which can be given the moniker “old wine in new bottle”, have made their mark by claiming several major victories including the 2009 Asian Championship, the 2012 AVC Cup and a fourth place in the 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix.

Despite failing to make it to the World Grand Prix Finals in Sapporo, Japan, this year, Thailand clinched a place in the World Championship in Italy next year. The crowning glory was defying all odds and beating Asian heavyweights China and Japan to land the Asian crown.

Come November, the Thai would have the Herculean task of taking on three continent winners Brazil, Russia and the USA plus hosts Japan and a wild card team in the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup. The tougher the rivals are, the more exhausted the Thai players would be.

Asian powerhouses China, Japan and South Korea and even Asean counterparts such as Indonesia and Vietnam are looking to the future and blooding youngsters. The 195cm powerful attacker Zhu Ting of China, devastating left-hander Miyu Nagaoka and setter Haruka Miyashita of Japan have already proved their worth for their teams.

Meanwhile Thailand have included only Thatdao Nuekjang in the starting line-up while Atcharaporn Kongyot and setter Pornpun Kerdprach warmed the benches. If we want them to become major players in future, we need to give them more opportunities to play with seniors.

Next year, Thailand will be playing in the World Grand Prix, World Championship Finals, the Asian Games in South Korea and the AVC Cup, where they are the reigning champions. If we want to be consistent and successful, we have to think long term. One worrying aspect is when the World Championship and the Asian Games are held almost simultaneously in September next year. With the limitation of talent pool we have, it appears well nigh impossible to divide the roster for two major tournaments.

Time is running out fast. The recruitment of youngsters with plenty of potential should get off the ground as fast as possible. Failing which, we will be crying over spilt milk.