China in AVC Cup final after beating Thailand
Defending three-time champions China overcame a daunting challenge from Thailand to narrowly edge past the 2012 winners in hard-fought five-set thriller 25-21 23-25 18-25 25-21 15-13 to secure a final berth at the “SMM” 5th AVC Cup for Women at the Vinh P
China, which suffered their first loss in the tournament after going down 2-3 to Kazakhstan 2-3 in the playoffs earlier, remained formidable with the likes of Zhang Changning, who competed in the gold-winning China national team at the last month’s Rio Olympic Games. The Asian powerhouses were also strengthened by powerful hitter Li Jing, Chen Liyi and fast attackers Yang Zhou and Zhang Xiaoya, while Thailand sent in a strong line-up which powered past Korea the previous day They included star spiker Pleumjit Thinkaow, veteran Wilavan Apinyapong, Thatdao Nuekjang, hard-attacking Ajcharaporn Kongyot and Pimpichaya Kokram.
Thailand opened up aggressive with an attack from young, promising Pimpichaya Kokram to take an initial 3-0 lead in the first set before widening it to 6-4. Zhang Changning became a smashing machine as she attacked from all angles to hand China several crucial points to help the world No.1 catch up with the Thais 12-12. The 193cm Zhang used her height advantage to overcome the smaller blockers with her exceptional spikes to move China ahead 23-19 and a deadly attack from Li Jing gave the Chinese the set point 24-19. Ajcharaporn and Malika Kanthong, who replaced Pimpichaya in the first set, scored one point apiece to help Thailand save two set points before a lightning-fast spike from Zhang Changning went unanswered. China took the opening set 25-21.
The second set was more thrilling when Thailand fought it all out to win the set. Ajcharaporn overpowered the taller blockers with her fierce attacks to put the team in front 7-5. China replaced Zhang Xiaoya with Zheng Yixin, but could not help that much. Thailand went on their gallant play with consistency to advance 21-18, thanks to Ajcharaporn’s powerful mid-court attacks. During the tense battle, Wilavan proved that she remains the backbone of Thailand as she scored the team’s last three points for the eventual 25-23 win in the set.
Their confidence sky-high after getting one set from the indomitable giants, Thailand put their acts together and hit back gallantly, with Wilavan penetrating the Chinese rock solid defence with her deadly hits to take a commanding 9-3 lead, but shortly after that Thailand briefly dropped from their best, allowing the Chinese attacking opportunities to come near at 7-9. Thailand regrouped and played with gutsy display. Their determination bore fruits as they advanced 22-17. The in-form Thais allowed China only one more point to wrap up the third set 25-18 for a commanding 2-1 lead.
China played cool under much pressure in the fourth set, which they chased from trailing 4-7 to catch Thailand at 11-11 and moved on to surge ahead 19-17. China led the Thais for good 24-21 before a serve from Thailand’s Chutchu-on Moksri went wide. China sealed the set win 25-21.
In the do-or-die tie-breaker, both sides came up in full strength, but Thailand still challenged the Chinese seriously to level 6-6. Nonetheless, China held their nerves and went on to win the decider 15-13, match and a final berth, their five times in a row in the AVC Cup final.
China will next go for their title defence against the winners of the semi-final match between Japan and Kazakhstan, while Thailand will play the losers in the third-place playoffs.
Zhang Changning led China with 16 points, all from her devastating attacks. Li Jing added with 11 kills, while Zheng Yixin contributed with five points from her kill blocks. Ajcharaporn Kongyot scored a match-high 26 points for Thailand including 24 kills from 61 attempts, with Wilavan Apinyapong assisting with 14 kills and Thatdao Nuekjang with 5 points from solid blocks.
“It’s a tough match as China played well at the near end of the set. We could not cope with their great serves. The players who were sent in to replace the others played well up to their standard and could win some points for the team. I’m satisfied with my team’s performance. In our next match in the third-place playoff, we have to do our best no matter with team we will play. Our initial goal remains unchanged. We have to try our best to finish top three in this tournament,” Thailand’s head coach Danai Sriwacharamethakul commented after the match.
