Thailand go down fighting to South Korea
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Thailand found South Korea too strong and went down 25-18 25-22 25-20 in the FIVB World Olympics Women's Volleyball Qualification Tournament at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium yesterday.
The loss relegated the Thai team to fifth in the round-robin competition with nine points from a 3-3 win-loss record. To assure themselves of a berth in the Olympics, Thailand need to win the match against Cuba 3-0 today.
However, if the mission is not accomplished, Thailand should hope that hosts Japan beat Serbia in the last match of the tournament today. A Japan victory will see the European champions off the top-three safe zone. Then, unbeaten Russia, South Korea and the hosts will go through, with Thailand emerging as the best-ranked Asian team for the trip to London.
Though Thailand lost in straight sets, head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai was satisfied with his team’s performance.
“I’m very happy with the way my team played. We should have won the second set as we led the Koreans all the way. However, due to unforced errors, we just let our chance slip through our fingers. It’s always tough to play South Korea. They are strong offensively and defensively,” Kiattipong said.
“The Koreans now have a bright chance of making the cut for the Games. My team, however, won’t give up. We will do our best in our last match against Cuba.”
Earlier, European champions Serbia rallied past Latin Cup winners Peru in four dramatic sets 25-16 25-18 22-25 25-21 to keep their London dreams alive.
Peru, who bagged only three points from one win in the tournament, have ended their quest for the Games after their straight-set loss to Thailand on Friday.
Three-time Olympic champions Cuba showed some of their former glory while beating winless Taiwan 27-25 25-17 25-21.
However, the Olympic mission for both sides turned sour as they do not have enough points to make the top four.
Hosts Japan were due to face reigning two-time world champions Russia in a late match last night. The Russians have not lost a match in the tournament and are assured of a berth for the Olympics.
Today, Thailand will challenge Cuba in the first match at 11am local time (9am Bkk time). Russia take on Taiwan, with South Korea facing Peru and Japan pitted against Serbia.
