Thailand men's spikers finish sixth in Dubai

The biennial tournament to find the best team in Asia concluded on Sunday night, with title-holders Iran stretching their invincibility with a straight-set 25-19 25-22 25-19 victory over four-time Asian winners South Korea in the final. The young Koreans were unable to repeat their feat of the play-off round, where they became the only team to take a set off Iran during the eight-day championship at the Hamdan SC and Al Nasr Club. The win earned the highly skilled Iranians a ticket to the six-team FIVB World Grand Champions Cup, in Japan from November 19 to 24.

 Earlier in the evening, China, who were runners-up at the previous edition, dropped down to bronze-medal position this time out. In the play-off for third place, China’s famed “Great Wall” defence was punctured by the cross-court raids and fast-tempo attacks of the more energetic Japanese. However, stung by failure in the semi-finals, China fought like tigers to avoid going home empty-handed.

Led by top-scorer Zhong Weijun with 24 points, they overcame a tenacious Japan 3-1 (25-18 25-22 22-25 25-20) in 100 minutes of cohesive and thrilling volleyball.

Australia slotted into fifth place with a 3-1 win (26-28 25-14 25-18 26-24) against world No 48 Thailand, who seemed to fade away after showing early promise in the championship. India finished seventh with a 3-2 win (27-25, 23-25, 25-23, 21-25, 17-15) over Lebanon, while Taiwan outclassed Kazakhstan 3-1 (25-23 25-21 17-25 25-16) to finish ninth. Hosts the UAE lost 3-1 to Iraq and ranked 14th.

The top eight teams won berths at next year’s AVC Cup, where Thailand finished sixth overall in their sole appearance, as hosts in 2008.

Meanwhile, four women spikers who played in the Thailand team that last month captured the Asian title for the second time in their history, left for Azerbaijan on Sunday night. After a busy week of appearances to receive cash incentives from sponsors, companies and the government, Onuma Sittirak, Wilavan Apinyapong, Pleumjit Thinkaow and Wanna Buakaew have left to compete in the six-month professional Azerbaijan Super League with Igtisadchi Baku, the team they helped guide to second in the league last season. Each will earn between Bt3 million and Bt6 million this season. Setter Nootsara Tomkom left for Azerbaijan earlier to join Rabita Baku, defending and five-time champions in the same league.