Thai youth girls spikers make history
Thailand made much of an impact on Saturday when their national youth girls' volleyball team stunned Korea in a clash of the Titans to cruise their ways to test their mettle in the final showdown for the first time in the Asian Girls' U17 Volleyball Cha
The dramatic 25-22 24-26 27-25 20-25 16-14 victory in a pulsating clash in front of over 3,000 home spectators packing The Mall Nakhon Ratchasima’s MCC Hall late last night has carried the Thai squad to the final clash against indomitable Japan, defending and consecutive four-time Asian champions which have yet lost a set to their respective oppositions. Japan beat world champions and world No.1 China in straight sets 25-21 25-18 25-22
Against the well-established Korea, the Thai girls played consistently with courage and determination. Their never-say-die spirit shone through the whole match they contested and a will to win paid off handsomely when they entered the final round of the continent’s top-flight tournament for the first time since they had participated in the inaugural competition 17 years ago in Yala.
Thailand’s stunning victory over Korea, world No.23 which won the world crown in 1991, was no fluke as the host side have already sprung a surprise following their hard-fought win over powerhouses China in their playoff encounter.
At the end of the exhausting clash which lasted 125 minutes, the home fans went wild and the Thai players jumped for joy, hugged one another and ran around the court to thank all the supporters. Fans chased after them to take photos with the team players they have been loving.
Thailand, which have already made the cut for the next year’s FIVB World Girls’ U18 Volleyball Championship in Peru following their advancement to the semi-finals, have never advanced to the final of the Asian Girls’ U17 Championship.
Their best performance in the biennial competition was a third place in three episodes – 2003 in Si Sa Ket, 2008 in Manila and 2010 in Kuala Lumpur. At the previous edition in Chengdu, China two years ago, the Thai girls finished a disappointing fifth.
