Thailand lose five-set thriller to China in Asian Games semi-final
China beat Thailand 3-2 in the Asian Games women’s volleyball semi-final, sending the reigning Asian champions into the bronze-medal match.
- Thailand's women's volleyball team were defeated by China in a tense five-set semi-final at the Asian Games.
- China won the match 3-2, with the final set scores being 23-25, 25-21, 25-11, 26-28, 15-6.
- The defeat means Thailand will now play for the bronze medal, missing out on a place in the gold-medal final.
Thailand’s women’s volleyball team missed out on a place in the Asian Games final after China prevailed 3-2 in a tense five-set semi-final at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Monday (September 21).
The result allowed China to avenge their defeat in the 2026 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship final, where Thailand won 3-2 to claim their fourth continental title and secure the country’s first-ever Olympic berth in women’s volleyball at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Thailand’s starting line-up included captain and setter Pornpun Guedpard, Thatdao Nuekjang, Sasipapron Janthawisut, Pimpichaya Kokram and Chatchu-On Moksri, with Piyanut Pannoy and Kalyarat Khamwong serving as liberos.
Thailand made the stronger start, using effective blocking and serving to take the opening set 25-23.
China responded in the second set after adjusting their game and levelled the match with a 25-21 victory. The Chinese side then took control in the third, producing a dominant performance to win 25-11 and move 2-1 ahead.
Thailand refused to fold in a closely contested fourth set, battling through the closing stages to edge China 28-26 and force the match into a deciding fifth set.
China quickly seized control of the decider with accurate attacks and a strong block, racing into an 8-1 lead before closing out the set 15-6.
Thailand consequently lost the semi-final 3-2 to China, with set scores of 25-23, 21-25, 11-25, 28-26 and 6-15.
The defeat means Thailand’s wait for a first Asian Games volleyball gold medal continues. They will instead compete for bronze on Tuesday (September 22) at 2pm Thailand time.
In the other semi-final, hosts Japan face South Korea. The winner will meet China in the gold-medal match, while the losing side will play Thailand for bronze.
