LookAtVietnam – Thep Viet, fresh from a short training stint in Thailand, need better results when the final stage of the National Volleyball Championships starts tomorrow in Ha Tinh province and HCM City.

Raise the bar: Thep Viet players (red jersey) during a match against Hoang Long Long An at HCM City’s International Volleyball Tournament last year. The teams will meet again when the second stage of the national championships starts tomorrow, July 11.

For the final stage, which sees 27 the dozen men’s and women’s teams remain in the same groups with the top two entering a semi-final round.

Two teams are automatically relegated after a round robin between the four worst teams from the groups. Their places go to the top teams from the nationwide division one competition.

The finals and playoffs are scheduled for July 18.

Thep Viet’s poor results are blamed on an unstable line-up and the lack of talented and experienced players, said Doan Huu Thanh, the co-vice chairman of the HCM City Volleyball Federation.

“Thep Viet wasted points with inaccurate shots and by playing below their ability in decisive matches,” he said.

Coach Le Hong Hao said the team was in a difficult position and two losses would be enough to put it danger of relegation.

“Our task is to win at least four games to be safe. It will be much better if we are unbeaten and can reach the semi-final round.”

A month of training in Thailand gave Hao time to assess the team as the team’s head coach, Aphisak Rakchertyingcheep, worked on skills and techniques.

“Our team mostly practised with the Thai national team and we had 10 matches with them. We also played other local teams there,” Rakchertyingcheep said.

When main attacker Le Hoai Phuong was injured it gave him the chance to introduce newcomers Tran Phuoc Dat, Nguyen Hoang Thuong and Dinh Nhut Minh, who worked hard to fit into the team pattern.

Rakchertyingcheep invited strikers Wanchai and Kitsada back to the team to strengthen the front line. They played a key roll in the team’s good showing in last year’s championship.

“Wanchai and Kitsada are Thailand’s main spikers. Having played with us, Wanchai knows most in the team members and will not find it difficult to fit in.

“He is a dynamic, can score from different positions and is a good choice to be a setter.

“Kitsada is a raising star. If we can provide good ball for him, he will do his job well,” he said.

“The Thep Viet players have several weaknesses that cannot be improved quickly. So they must try their best because our rivals are also packed with talented foreigners.”

After the first match in group A against cellar dwellers Bien Hoa Construction Materials, they can expect tough games against Hoang Long Long An and Viet Nam Petroleum.

Nguyen Ba Nghi, co-vice chairman of the federation, said the teams are chasing record winning prizemoney of VND500 million (US$27,500).

Thep Viet will have home court support from thousands of fans but will be under heavy pressure to perform, Nghi said.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News