Italy make it 10-in-row against Thailand

Italy, the two-time successive World Cup champions, have now beaten Thailand 10 times in succession since they first met in the 2004 World Grand Prix in Hong Kong. 

With powerful Pleumjit Thinkaow sidelined due to an injury to her right ankle, world No 12 Thailand, who went down to hosts and last year’s runners-up China in four dramatic games 27-29 18-25 25-20 15-25 late Friday night, struggled in the opening game against the formidable Italians.

Italy, who had two key players in Nadia Centoni and Caterina Bosetti, smashed sharply for a comfortable 17-10 lead. Taking advantage of some attacking and blocking errors by Thailand, the well-organised Italian team widened the lead to 23-18 and went on to win the game 25-19.

Malika Kanthong got the Thai team off to a great start in the second game with her spectacular attacking shots to put her team in front at 3-1. Italy hit back aggressively to catch up with their rivals at 3-3 and stormed to a commanding 24-17 lead, needing only one more point to wrap up the game. However, Thailand did not give in easily, saving four points to close in at 21-24. However, the 202cm-tall Valentina Diouf used her height advantage to hit a devastating smash to win the game 25-21.

The teams were on level terms in the third game and Thailand had a slight advantage at 20-19. However, nothing went right for them after they tied at 22-all. Italy allowed Thailand one more point from Thatdao Nuekjang’s fast spike to end the Thai challenge 25-23 and the match. Powerful hitter Onuma Sittirak led Thailand with 17 points, including 15 hits and two brilliant serves, while Nadia Centoni scored a match-high 12 points for Italy.

After the match, Thai head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance.

“Despite the defeat, I’m quite happy with the way my team performed. Everyone did her best. Many players were suffering from fatigue after the hard match they played against China on Friday night. When they went to bed, it was almost 1am,” Kiattipong said.

“Italy are a very strong team. We tried our best to create some sort of a history in the match. Italy are one of the three teams we have never beaten before. I must admit that the Italians performed exceptionally well, especially their attacks and serves. 

We still have many things to learn and improve. Our next and last match here in Hong Kong is against Japan on Sunday. We will do our best to beat them.” With two straight losses, Thailand are in fourth place with no points in Pool F. China, who beat Japan in straight games in the second match yesterday 25-16 25-14 25-22, are on top with six points from two successive wins. Italy have five points from two victories and are in second place. Japan have one point from two straight losses and are in third place.

Today, Thailand take on Japan at 1.20pm Bangkok time, while Italy go up against China. Channel 7 will televise the Thai match live.