Spikers make it two wins from two

The world No 12 Thais will next go up against hosts Kazakhstan. Thailand, who finished fourth in the World Grand Prix, yesterday relied on the strong line-up that crushed South Korea in straight sets the previous day. It included powerful hitter Onuma Sittirak, who scored a match-high 20 points, Pleumjit Thinkaow and Wilavan Apinyapong. However, Thai head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai decided to rest the injured Malika Kangthong after she suffered a left-ankle sprain during the warm-up for the Taiwan match. Diminutive Thapapaiphan Chaisri replaced Malika.

Thailand took the one-sided first set thanks to Onuma’s powerful jump serves and Pleumjitr’s lightning-fast attacks. Taiwan regained their composure in the second set and pushed the Thais to the limit with aggressive play. But after battling to a narrow 23-21 lead, Thailand allowed their lower-ranked rivals just one more point before sewing up the set.

The Thais then came out firing on all fronts for the third. Onuma served a series of aces to help the team lead 5-1. Sloppiness then crept into Thai play, with unforced errors in serving and at the net allowing the Taiwanese to counter-attack and narrow the margin to 20-18. Kiattipong called a time-out and the ensuing pep talk did the trick. The Thai players pulled their game together to clinch the third set 25-19 and the match.

The Thailand-Kazakhstan match will be televised live on Channel 7 from 6.20pm Bangkok time.

The eight teams in the tournament are vying for two berths in the FIVB World Grand Prix next year. China and Japan have automatically qualified.