Thais go down fighting to aggressive S Korea
Asian champions Thailand fell at the first hurdle of their FIVB World Grand Prix campaign when they went down to hosts South Korea 1-3 (25-23 22-25 16-25 20-25) in the Pool B clash yesterday.
Powerful Onuma Sittirak and Ajcharaporn Kongyot carried out deadly cross-court spikes to help Thailand go ahead at 10-6. The formidable duo’s near-flawless performance stretched the lead to a commanding 18-13. However, South Korea got their act together and roared back mightily.
With the 192cm-tall Kim Yeon-koung attacking devastatingly at the net, the hosts found their rhythm to score five points in succession to catch up with the Thais 18-18. Both sides exchanged aggressive attacks and came up with scintillating block. As Thailand advanced to 24-23, needing only one more point to win the first set, an erratic serve gave the Thais the first-set at 25-23.
Thailand remained in fine form in the second set when they took the lead at 8-5. However, things turned sour for Thailand, as they became more prone to errors in their receiving and serving tactics, allowing the Koreans to come back strongly. The hosts caught up with the Thais at 8-8 and continued their dazzling form to take the second set 25-22.
Thailand fought hard in the third set when the hosts continued their aggression and unchallenged attacks, powered by Kim Yeon-koung and Lee Jae-yeong. South Korea clinched the third set 25-16 for a 2-1 advantage.
With their backs against the wall, Thailand, cheered on by hundreds of Korea-based Thai employees who are taking a long holiday, poured everything they had in the fourth set. Their determination bore fruit when they led briefly 8-5.
Terrific Onuma, who won the Best Outside Spiker award at last year’s FIVB World Grand Champions Cup in Tokyo, moved the Thais ahead 13-9. The Koreans clawed their way back at 16-16.
As the Thais struggled to hit form, the Koreans continued to spike devastatingly and block solidly before capturing the set 25-20 and the match.
“We played a tough match against South Korea. I think my players played well in the first two sets, but they have to improve in the first-ball reception as they made too many mistakes, which cost them the second and the third sets,” Thailand head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai commented.
“Korea prepared well for this match against us. We found it very difficult to match their attacks. We need to improve our techniques. However, I’m pleased with my team’s form, especially their good form in the first set. We almost won the second set as well, but we were let down by our poor reception. I hope we can do better tomorrow against Serbia.”
The loss stretched Korea’s win-loss record against Thailand to 9-1 in FIVB-sanctioned tournaments. Thailand beat the Koreans for the last time in the 2004 World Grand Prix in Bangkok.
Meanwhile, in the curtain-raiser earlier, world No 7 Serbia stunned Montreux Volley Masters champions Germany in straight sets 26-24 25-20 25-15.
Today, Thailand go up against Serbia, bronze-medallists at the previous edition. In the FIVB-sanctioned tournaments both sides have met, the Thai team drew 2-2 with the Serbians.
However, Thailand fared much better at the latest two meets as they beat the formidable Europeans twice in just one month. Without smashing machine Jovana Brakocevic in the Serbian side, Thailand stand a good chance to repeat the feat.
Thailand are due to take on Serbia in the second match at 2.40pm Bangkok time and Channel 7 will televise the match live. The first match at 12.10pm sees hosts Korea challenge Germany.
