Coach hopes to halt slide in World GP
Thailand take on hosts Japan in Sendai as the second week of the 2017 World Grand Prix pool competitions begins today, hoping for a change in fortunes.
It will be a rematch of last weekend’s game which Japan won in five sets in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands.
Japan enjoy a solid 9-2 win-loss record against Thailand and the hosts will enter the 12th meeting between the two teams in the history of the FIVB World Grand Prix as favourites after having won their last six encounters in a row.
Thailand’s only wins against Japan in the tournament came in 2009 and 2012, both in five sets.
Today’s Pool D1 match begins at 5.10pm (Thai time) and will be live on Channel 3HD (33). Earlier, Brazil meet Serbia in the opening game at 1.40pm and the match will be aired live on Channel 3 Family (13).
Coach Danai Sriwacharamaytakul and his players are hoping to end Thailand’s slide as they are currently on a nine-match losing streak in the event.
Thailand are 11th in the 12-team Group 1 after losing all their matches against Japan, the Netherlands and the Dominican Republic last week.
Thailand will next play 11-time champions Brazil tomorrow at 3.10pm and then face Serbia on Sunday at 2.10pm.
Japan are seventh after two five-set wins against Thailand and the Netherlands and one loss against the Dominican Republic.
Serbia are top after three straight wins in the opening weekend, followed by the United States, the Netherlands, the Dominican Republic, Brazil and China.
The top five ranked teams and hosts China will play in the final round, which will be held in Nanjing on Aug 2-6.