Mighty China humbled as Thai spikers take AVC Cup in style
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Thailand wrote another glorious chapter in their volleyball history on Sunday, stunning reigning two-time champions China 3-1 (30-28 25-27 25-21 25-20) to emerge winners in the 3rd AVC Cup for women in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The Thais had beaten the world No 5 only twice before. In the 2009 Asian Championship in Hanoi, Thailand surprised perennial winners China in the final to capture the title for the first time. Then this year they beat the Chinese for the first time on their home court in the FIVB World Grand Prix Finals in Ningbo, where Thailand finished fourth.
Thailand remained unbeaten on their way to the final, and the victory over China was sweet revenge for the defeat they suffered in the final at Taicang in 2010.
“My players were very tired after tough matches against South Korea, Kazakhstan and Taiwan. But the team was well-prepared for the final. We coaches made sure that they went into the match with their confidence high,” said Thailand’s head coach Kiattipong Ratchatagriengkai.
“We saw how the Chinese played and we improved our tactics and we were competitive. I’m glad that my players played according to the plan. They put their heart and soul into the match. They were determined and the success is due to their devotion to the cause.”
Earlier on Saturday, the Thai team booked a berth in the FIVB World Grand Prix when they thrashed Vietnam in the semi-finals. Besides China and Japan, who automatically qualified, the two top teams from this AVC Cup make the cut for the World Grand Prix.
Along with the prestigious AVC Cup, the Thai team were awarded a cash prize of 3.75 million Kazakhstan tenge (around Bt770,859). The Thai squad also won four individual awards. Nootsara Tomkom was named tournament Best Setter while Onuma Sittirak was handed the Best Spiker, Best Scorer and the Most Valuable Player awards.
The third place went to hosts Kazakhstan, who outclassed Vietnam 25-18 25-20 25-16, while Japan took fifth after brushing off South Korea 25-18 25-17 25-11. Taiwan beat Iran 25-21 25-20 25-15 in the 7th-8th place play-off.
Seven players of the team including Onuma Sittirak, Pleumjit Thinkaow, Malika Kanthong and Wilavan Apinyapong will travel to Azerbaijan to compete in the professional league with Igtisadchi Baku team from October 15 to next May 15. They are expected to earn around Bt3.5 million to Bt5.5 million.
