Thai spikers seek home comforts after tough Macau mission
Thailand signed off from Pool 7 of the Volleyball Nations League in disappointing fashion with a 3-0 loss to Belgium in Macau yesterday.
A day after beating two-time Asian Games gold medallists South Korea, Thailand failed to maintain their form, succumbing to nerves as they fell 25-21 25-22 25-23 against the Belgians, who finished 13th in the League last year.
Thailand, with two wins against four defeats over two weeks of Pool 7 competition, will now return home for Pool 11, the third round of the League series, at Hua Mark Indoor Stadium from June 4-6. They face Bulgaria, Dominican Republic and Turkey on June 4, 5 and 6 in respectively.
Thailand coach Danai Sriwacharamaytakul said: "The Belgium players received the ball excellently today. We tried our best to mount a comeback but we were not able to defend against their attack."
Thailand captain Nootsara Tomkom said: "I would like to congratulate Belgium on their win today. They put up a good display today and they overpowered us with their serves and attack."
Belgium coach Gert Vande Broek said: "It is great to finish this game week with an important win for my team. I have huge respect for the Thailand team because I am such a big fan of the way they play volleyball, and I believe that their tactical combinations and the way they search for solutions in both attack and defence are great for the promotion of volleyball. Both teams are so evenly matched and 3-0 is really a tough scoreline for Thailand because both teams deserve to win today."
