Thailand’s spikers get Olympic dream back on track

While Thailand revived their fortunes in the eight-team competition, Kazakhstan’s chance of making the cut for Rio came to an end with their fifth defeat in five matches.
Thai head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai once again preferred Pornpun Guedpard to regular setter Nootsara Tomkom, but brought opposite spiker Ajcharaporn Kongyot back after benching her for most of Wednesday night’s match against Japan, which the Thais lost narrowly 3-2. Kazakhstan, whose average height is 181cm against the Thais’ 175cm, brought back big guns Radmila Beresneva and Kristina Anikonova, who had been rested against South Korea.
Yet despite an improved performance with solid blocks and impressive setting, Kazakhstan had no answer to the mighty Thai attacks led by Ajcharaporn and Malika Kanthong.
Ajcharaporn Kongyot scored a match-high 14 points, while Zhdanova Yekaterina emerged as top scorer for Kazakhstan with eight.
The win handed Thailand a crucial three points for a total seven points from two wins against three losses and fifth place in the standings. The best-ranked Asian side plus the tournament’s top three teams will make the cut for the Rio Games in August.
“It was a tough match as Kazakhstan proved they are a strong team. Their previous matches went to four sets, [but] we fielded experienced veterans who know how to cope with Kazakh tactics,” said Kiattipong.
“The Koreans on Sunday won’t be an easy match. They have one of the world’s best attackers in Kim Yeon-koung, but we will give our all.”
The Thai team are set to submit an appeal to the FIVB and the IOC over a controversial refereeing decision in the match against Japan on Wednesday that saw Thailand shown two red cards at a critical juncture. Thailand had been leading Japan 12-8 but a delay in the player changeover and challenge process triggered a red card for time-wasting, then another at 13-12 to Japan.