Spikers face daunting draw for FIVB World Grand Prix

Thailand celebrate a victory at the 2010 FIVB Women

The Thai women's team will be up against stronger squads in next year's FIVB World Grand Prix and chances are slim of them making the cut for the six-team Finals.

International volleyball's governing body last week announced the draw for the three-week preliminaries of the top-flight women's competition. Entry has been expanded from 16 teams to 20 for the 2013 edition.

Thailand, who punched above their weight to finish fourth this year, will travel to Turkey to kick off their World Grand Prix (WGP) preliminaries campaign in Pool C from August 2 to 4. Their Group C rivals are world No 3 and London Olympic bronze medallists Japan, this year's WGP bronze medallists Turkey and an African team yet to be confirmed.

In the second week, the Thai team will travel to Russia for the August 9-11 Pool J preliminaries against defending two-time world champions Russia, defending two-time World Cup champions Italy, and three-time Olympic champs Cuba.

Then, Thailand will play home matches in the August 16-18 Pool L preliminaries against Russia, Germany and Puerto Rico. The three-week battle will decide the five teams who will join Finals hosts Japan in Sapporo between August 28 and September 1.

"I concede that we received a tough draw this time and our chances of making the cut for the Finals are slim," said Jaksuwan Tocharoen, secretary-general of the Thailand Volleyball Association.

"However, I'm still upbeat that our team can accomplish this target if they keep themselves physically fit and maintain their excellent form of this year's WGP. Of the three preliminary legs, I think our draw in the first one is the most comfortable. If we can do well in the first week, I think we will still have chances of making the cut," he added.

The 20 participating teams in next year's WGP include defending two-time champions USA, London Olympic winners Brazil, the Netherlands, Serbia, China, Poland and Czech Republic.

Only three teams remain unbeaten by the Thailand side - Turkey, Russia and Italy.

Elsewhere, seven Thai players including the powerful Onuma Sittirak, Pleumjit Thinkaow and Wilavan Apinyapong are playing professionally in the Azerbaijan Superleague. Their six-month contracts with Igtisadchi Baku team will end early next May.

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