Spikers power to opening win

The biannual competition features the top eight teams in Asia.

Thailand, current world No 12 and fourth place at this year’s World Grand Prix, are in Pool A with South Korea, Taiwan and hosts Kazakhstan. Pool B comprises defending two-time champs and Asian winners China, Olympic bronze-medallists Japan, Vietnam and Iran. 

Against South Korea, playing without injured superstar Kim Yeon-kyoung – Best Scorer and Most Valuable Player at the London Games – Thailand opted for the strong line-up that beat European champions Serbia in the Olympic Qualifying tournament. Pleumjit Thinkaow, Wilavan Apinyapong and Onuma Sittirak were all included.

Onuma’s lightning-fast spikes and solid blocking by Amporn Hyapha and Malika Kanthong were a match-winning combination in the opener against the world No 11 Koreans.

“I’m glad we managed to win the first match. To beat South Korea is not that easy. We made several mistakes, especially when the Koreans produced drops closer to the net and we failed to retrieve them. Also, we still need to improve our attacking tactics. We have to work a bit more when we take on Taiwan,” Thai head coach Kiattipong Ratchatakriengkai said.

Thailand’s clash with Taiwan will be televised live today at 2pm Bangkok time on Channel 7.

The two top teams from the week-long tournament (as well as China and Japan, who have already qualified) will make the cut for next year’s FIVB World Grand Prix.