Thai
Asian champions Thailandwill take on wild-card Dominican Republic in the opening match of the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup scheduled to take place from November 12 to 17 in Japan.
“Five players, including Onuma Sittirak, Nootsara Tomkom and Wilavan Apinyapong, are playing in the professional league in Azerbaijan but should join us on November 1,” said Kiattipong.
“The rest of the team are training at Hua Mark where the emphasis is on physical fitness. That means they have to undergo more weight training. We have included some new and young players for the training camp, but for the World Grand Champions Cup campaign we will send the full-strength team that won the Asian meet in Nakhon Ratchasima last month.“
Whatever the outcome, the Thaicoach is confident that the competition will offer valuable experience for his players. “We will have just one month for preparation, [but] the five in Azerbaijan will only be able to train with us for one week. Due to the shortage of training time I am not expecting my team to win the title. The exposure of playing against good teams will help, but I am not setting any target. Just keep your fingers crossed, my players will do their best in every match,” Kiattipong said.
Thailandqualified for the FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Grand Champions Cup when they won the 17th Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship for a second consecutive time in September. As well as Thailand`sclash with the Dominican Republic, the first day in Nagoya will see World No. 1 Brazil take on well-known opponents, the US while Japan go up against Russia.
To read more news from this competition click on World Grand Champions Cup 2013 W.
