Exciting match ahead: Pornpun highlights 3 key factors for Thailand women's volleyball team to challenge Japan in the Asian Championship semifinals.
On 28 August 2026, Chompoo Pornpun Kerdpradap, setter and captain of the Thailand women's national volleyball team, gave an interview after their final practice session before competing in the 2026 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship semifinals in Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
Today, the Thailand women's volleyball team trained for an hour and a half. Coach Ott Kiattipong Ratchatkriangkrai focused on blocking and defense, as well as rehearsing counter-attack strategies to prepare for their match against Japan tomorrow. Meanwhile, star quick hitter Nan Thaddao Nukjaeng's condition has been steadily improving. The team was also reminded to take care of their health due to the cooler weather.
In the 2026 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship semifinals, Thailand, ranked 17th in the world, will face Japan, ranked 6th globally, on Saturday, 29 August at 16:15 GMT+7.
- Pornpun: "We worked on details, especially blocking, because we need to protect our defense against their individual players. Since I started playing, we haven't worried much about offense, but we've been serious about defense. If we receive well, our offense rarely has problems. So today's practice emphasized this a bit more."
- Pornpun: "We face them every year. They haven't changed their players at all. Our team, however, had some injuries last year, so sometimes younger players played, sometimes senior players. Also, in VNL, I didn't play, and some players rotated in and out."
"Actually, they have more homework to do because we have players who can substitute for each other. Our middle blockers, outside hitters, and setters remain the same. So they have to work harder to figure out what happens if this player plays or doesn't play, and how the attack changes. That's the pressure they face more than us."
- Pornpun: "For tomorrow's game, I and everyone on the team feel no pressure at all. The atmosphere is quite relaxed, and we're ready to fight with confidence."
"Everyone is confident in themselves and the team, and trusts one another. Tomorrow's game will be very exciting, and we hope everyone will support and cheer for us."