Spikers 'ready' to clinch gold

The Thailand Volleyball Association (TVA) has decided to send its best women players to the Incheon Asian Games with only one goal in mind – to capture the gold medal for the first time.

The Thai women’s team burst to onto the world stage five years ago, boosting the popularity of the sport among Thai fans with strong performances at international tournaments. Winning the Asian Championship in 2009 and last year, coming an incredible fourth in the FIVB World Grand Prix in 2012 and a debut victory in the AVC Cup the same year swept the fans off their feet. Thai volleyball fever has seen full houses at competition venues during all major competitions.

But the TVA faced a dilemma when the FIVB scheduled the World Women’s Volleyball Championship at the same time as the 17th Asian Games in Incheon. The Thais eventually decided to field their strongest team in Incheon between September 16 and October 4. The second string will represent the country in the world meet in Italy from September 23 to October 12 – a decision that met with fierce attacks from fan clubs on web boards.

However, the TVA has stuck to its guns, reasoning that Thai spikers have never gained a medal at the Asian Games. Asian powerhouses such as China, Japan and Kazakhstan will field their strongest sides at the world meet, giving Thailand an edge in the battle against hosts South Korea for an Asiad gold medal. The Koreans failed to qualify for the world meet last year.

The TVA showed much foresight by giving the second-string side international exposure. The youngsters played in the 4th AVC Cup for Women, the continent’s most prestigious competition, where they finished fifth after beating Vietnam and Taiwan in straight sets in Shenzhen, China.

 “It was a very difficult decision. We badly wanted to send our best team to both Asian Games and the World Championship, but we could not do that. We decided to send the strongest team to the Asian Games as the Olympic Committee of Thailand want the country to win the gold. We have never won a medal in volleyball in the Games. This year presents a great opportunity,” said Shanrit Wongprasert, TVA’s honorary president.

Onuma Sittirak, Pleumjit Thinkaow, Wilavan Apinyapong, Nootsara Tomkom, Malika Kanthong, Thapaphaipan Chaisri, Thatdao Nuekjang, Piyanut Pannoy and Em-on Phanusit make up a formidable line-up for the Games. Nattaphon Srisamutnark will coach the side, while national head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai will be with the World Championship squad, which includes veteran Wanna Buakaew, Atcharaporn Kongyot, Hattaya Bumrungsuk, Jarasporn Bandasuk, Yupa Sanitklang, Chatchu-on Moksri, Sineenart Phocharoen and Kannikar Theepachote.

Fourth places in 1986 in Seoul, 1998 in Bangkok and 2006 in Doha are the best the women’s team has achieved at the Games.

“We can beat every team, but we have to minimise unforced errors, maintain our fitness and not get injured. Our initial target is to reach the semi-finals. I think we have a reasonable chance of winning the first gold in volleyball. We have made history in almost every tournament, but in the Asian Games we haven’t performed to our expectations. I think this time we are ready for the gold,” said a confident Nattaphon.

Thailand are in Pool A with hosts South Korea, India and Japan, while title-holders China, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Taiwan and Hong Kong are in Pool B.

Meanwhile, the prospects of the men’s team do not look so good. They finished fourth in Guangzhou, China, four years ago but many strong players, including hard-hitting Wanchai Tabwises, have since retired. Thailand finished a disappointing eighth in the recent AVC Cup in Kazakhstan. The men’s team are in Pool D with China, Turkmenistan and Myanmar.

Thailand are sending a delegation 259 athletes and officials in 12 sports at the Games – judo, fencing, badminton, tennis, shooting, cycling, cricket, handball, hockey, sepak takraw, volleyball and basketball.