Thailand struggle to beat in-form Taiwan in exhausting five sets

Thailand fielded a formidable line-up led by star spiker Pleumjit Thinkaow and hard-hitting Ajcharaporn Kongyot. Also strengthening the team comprised veteran Malika Kanthong, Thatdao Nuekjang, setter Pornpun Guedpard, Chatchu-on Moksri and libero Piyanut Pannoy. Taiwan sent in a fully-fledged squad despite an absence of southpaw Chen Wan-Ting, who underwent her left shoulder injury.

 

The first set was closely-contested from the beginning. Great serves from Ajcharaporn and Pleumjit’s slide attacks put Thailand in the pole position 11-8. Left-hander Chang Li-Wen overcame the Thai blockers with her devastating spikes to help Chinese Taipei come close 17-18. Both teams fought hard to snatch the first set. Chatchu-on attacked fiercely to win a crucial point for Thailand to lead 24-22 before Pleumjit and Pornpun combined well for an effective block which denied all Taiwanese attacks. Thailand took the first set 25-22.

 

Going down one set, Taiwan came up with an proved form in the second set to take an initial 11-8 lead and widened it to 15-11, thanks to their solid defence and stuff blocks. Thai head coach Danai Sriwacharamethakul replaced Chatchu-on with veteran Wilavan Apinyapong, fresh from winning the Best Outside Spiker award at the recent Asian Women’s Club Championship in the Philippines. Thailand came within a whisker of catching up with Taiwan, but Chang Chen-Yin tore the Thai defence apart with her fierce spike to end the rivals’ challenge in this set 25-23.

 

Winning one set boosted the Taiwan’s confidence as they still came up with brilliance in the third set. Leading by a wide margin 18-13, Taiwan marched on their impressive form. However, Thailand gradually pulled their game together. Wilavan brought the Thai side back on track with her powerful pole attacks to reduce the gap 21-24. Taiwan allowed Thailand one more point from Wilavan’s sharp court-court spike before winning the thrilling set 25-22 for a commanding 2-1 lead.

 

Thailand made a strong comeback in the fourth set to lead 4-0 and stretched it to 16-9, courtesy of Ajcharaporn’s explosive mid-court attacks. Thailand did not look back after that to clinch the one-sided set 25-13.

 

In the decider, both sides poured everything to win the set and the match. Taiwan went ahead 10-9 and Thailand gathered their courage to chase the pace-setter. The Thais’ more determination paid off impressively when they came close 12-13, caught the rivals at 14-14 and went on to win the thrilling set 17-15 and the tough match.

 

Ajcharaporn Kongyot scored a match-high 23 points including 18 kills and two aces,, while Pleumjit added four points from  her solid blocks. Wu Wei-Hua top scored with 20 points for Taiwan.

 

“It’s a tough match. Taiwan played very well in this match against us, while my players did not play their form. I’m not satisfied with my team’s performance.Their serves, their blocks and attacks were still far from what we have done well. This might be because setter Pornpun had a short time training with the team due to her commitment with her own club Bangkok Glass. Pleumjit also looked weary and her fast attacks did not work out well. Actually, I would like to let young players a chance to gain experience and exposure here, but considering that our rivals come much stronger this time, I could not let the young talents play in this match and instead I have to replace them with experienced players to save the day for the team. We next take on against hosts Vietnam. It’s not that easy because we are playing on their home soil and a large number of Vietnamese fans will come to support them. However, I hope we will do our best. Our initial target of finishing top three in this tournament remains unchanged,” said Thailand head coach Danai Sriwacharamethakul after the match.