Thais skewer Japan for long-awaited podium in volleyball
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Thailand ended their 48-year wait for an Asiad volleyball medal when their women's team annihilated Japan in the third-place play-off yesterday, while their men's team went down to India 3-1 and will battle it out with Kuwait for the 7th position.
The convincing 25-17 25-22 25-23 victory over Japan’s second-string side handed Thailand a consolation bronze, their first-ever medal in the Asian Games since their debut in 1966 in Bangkok.
Against the young Japanese, Asian champions Thailand, who suffered a bitter 3-1 loss to title-holders China in the semi-final clash, fielded the formidable line-up that won the AVC Cup in 2012, including powerful hitter Onuma Sittirak, solid blocker-spiker Pleumjit Thinkaow and ace spiker Wilavan Apinyapong.
After taking the first set comfortably 25-17, Thailand survived a sturdy challenge from Japan to capture hotly contested second and the third sets 25-22 25-23. After the win, the players carried a Thai flag, danced in a circle and hugged one another.
“We did our best today. It’s always tough taking on Japan. They are fast, cover the court well and counter-attack hard. This bronze is for all Thais. It’s a great pride for my team and staff coaches including Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai, the real man behind the success. Although it is not a gold, we feel proud of the fact that the team could win their first medal in the Asian Games at last,” said Thai head coach Nattapon Srisamutnak.
Team captain Wilavan Apinyapong said, “We are proud of the achievement. This is a reward for all the tough training. At times we were in tears and depressed when fans’ hopes were destroyed by our loss in the semis. We never gave up, but just came out to prove we are ready to go forward. I’m glad that we won this match. It might be the last Asian Games for some of our players. We are getting old and the next Asian Games is still a long way off. Who knows what will happen in the future.”
In the men’s volleyball competition at the Songnim Gymnasium, India, runners-up at the AVC Cup in Kazakhstan in August, came back from one set down against Thailand to take the remaining three 25-18 25-23 25-20. India next go up against Qatar, who brushed off Kuwait 25-23 25-15 25-22 yesterday, in the 5th-6th play-off, while Thailand and Kuwait set up a 7th-8th clash.
“We played well only in the first set, with Jirayu Raksakaew and Kittikun Sriutthawong coming out with fine attacks and blocking. However, our serves weren’t up to standard in the following sets, while the Indian defence was very difficult to overcome. They blocked well against our spikes, while we again made too many mistakes, especially serving. Our next match against Kuwait isn’t a big deal for us. We beat them earlier in a play-off. I’m still confident we are stronger and will be out to repeat that feat,” said the Thai head coach.
