Thai men, women in World Cup 7s qualifiers

Written by changthai11 on Friday, October 3rd, 2008

EDWARD THANGARAJAH

The Thai men’s and women’s teams left for Hong Kong yesterday to compete in Asia’s qualifying round for the Rugby World Cup Sevens at the weekend.

In the men’s tourney, Thailand have been drawn into the tough Group A along with Kazakhstan and Japan.

Twelve teams will take part in four groups of three teams.

The other groupings are:

Group B - South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore

Group C - Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and India

Group D - China, Malaysia and Guam.

The top team from each group will reach the final qualifying round.

Hong Kong are an automatic entrant as hosts of the tournament.

Coach Suparat Alpach said that Thailand had high hopes of doing well, even with Japan and Kazakhstan in their group.

The members of the team are: Sarayuth Thiangtrong, Pathomrat Sirisub, Pawat Jarunaphat, Khantipong Mee-pin, Somsak Mitr-rak, Tosaporn Vanichvorapong, Napasorn Srisakham, Kritakorn Radthuk, Piyanat Srichata, Atthavuth Thanakit, Rathapol Srivachirathai and Prom Bhudapornpong.

On the women’s side, there are nine teams who will play in three groups of three teams.

Thailand are in Group C along with Japan and Taiwan.

The other groupings are: Group A - Kazakhstan, Hong Kong and Singapore

Group B - China, Arabian Gulf and Sri Lanka.

The Thai players are: Jiraphan Nisichant, Phanthippa Wongwanhchant, Juthamart Butrkete, Uthamporn Liam-ratana, Burasaya Boonraksa, Chidchanok Yoosri, Prapaipath Darik, Ooyatchara Somchirt, Sujitra Supapataranont, Ooyjai Thammawatr, Narisara Varakitsirikul and Piyamart Champumee.

Coach Yongsak Na Songkha admitted that it would be hard for the Thai women to qualify for the final round in Dubai as they did not have enough time to train.