Hosts Thailand stun world champions China, Japan put it past Korea in Asian Girls’ U17 Championship playoffs Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, October 15, 2014 – Hosts Thailand stunned world champions and world No.1 China in a hard-fought five-set thriller, while defending successive four-time winners Japan became the only team not losing a set to their respective rivals in the last eight playoffs of the 10th Asian Girls’ U17 Volleyball Championship at The Mall Nakhon Ratchasima’s MCC Hall on Wednesday. Thailand b China 3-2 (30-28 21-25 23-25 25-14 15-9) In one of their flawless performances, world No.17 Thailand, which have never advanced to the final showdown of the top-flight tournament, performed exceptionally well to pull off a dramatic 3-2 victory over powerhouses China, which captured the world title here in Nakhon Ratchasima last year. Against the formidable Chinese to decide the top spot in Pool E, in-form Thailand fielded a strong line-up which included sensation Chatchu-on Moksri, who burst into her prominence in the recent AVC Cup in Shenzhen, China and the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Championship in Italy. Also strengthening the Thai squad were Pimpichaya Kokram, Paweenut Rueangram and Natthanicha Jaisaen, while tall and towering China, whose height average is 182cm against the rivals’ 175cm, fielded a well-established line-up led by powerful left-hander Li Yingying, who stands 192cm tall, and hard-attacker Qian Jingwen. Backed by drum-beating, cheering spectators of around 3,000 packing the venue, the host girls got off to a brilliant start to initially lead 6-3 in the first set, taking the advantage of the China’s nervous play. Chatchu-on Moksri and Pimpichaya Kokram combined well in puncturing the Chinese defence with their spectacular attacks to help Thailand challenge the strong visitors seriously. The on-going battle became very thrilling when both sides poured everything to boost their confidence with win in the opening set. At 22-22, Thailand upped their tempo and counter-attacked well to surge ahead the Chinese 24-23, but the visitors were never-say-die. China fought back heavily, with Li Yingying overcoming the smaller blockers with her aggressive spikes. From then on, leads changed hands for several times. Thailand proved steadier to rally past the Chinese 30-28. Conceding one set, China came back much stronger to lead 4-0 in the second set. Their scintillating blockings and fine attacks helped China score six points in a row for a commanding 13-7 lead. The host side improved their tactics to catch up with the tough rivals at 19-19, but China had enough to hold them off. The Chinese clinched the second set 25-21. In the third set, Thailand remained in remarkable form to lead China all the way. After taking a narrow 9-8 lead, the host girls gradually pulled their game together to stretch it to 22-18, thanks largely to the China’s poor reception. The Chinese held their nerves and roared back heavily to win straight three points, narrowed the gap 21-22 and stormed on to win the set 25-23 for a 2-1 lead. Thailand took command in the fourth set, which they led narrowly 15-14. From then on, the Chinese attacks and form collapsed, allowing the Thais all scoring opportunities. The host team showed no mercy to the visitors, tearing the Chinese defence into pieces to win a completely one-sided set 25-14. In the thrilling tie-breaker, the Thai cheers came to life when their team led China from the start to finish. Thailand captured the deciding set 15-9 and the heart-pounding match. Chatchu-on Moksri scored a match-high 23 points including 20 kills from 46 attempts and two blocks. Pimpichaya Kokram assisted with 19 deadly attacks and two ace serves, while Paweenut Rueangram scored eight blocking points for her team. Li Yingying led China with 23 points, 19 of them devastating attacks. “It’s a tough match and I’m happy that my girls showed no fear to world champions China, who are much taller than our team. We trained hard, hoping to come up with our best form in this championship on home soil. My girls did not let me down with their form. It’s not easy to beat China, but we just did our best to accomplish this challenge,” Thailand’s head coach Tanasak Rattanarasri commented after the match. Thailand’s captain Natthanicha Jaisaen said, “We just want to prove that we can beat China. It’s our top priority to play our best in every match. In our next match against Kazakhstan, I’m still confident that we can beat them but we will never underestimate any team in this tournament. We will do our best in our remaining matches. If possible, I want to see my team win the title here in Nakhon Ratchasima.” Philippines b New Zealand 3-1 (25-11 21-25 25-5 25-14) The Philippines, absent from taking part in the championship since their last appearance in 2008 on home soil in Manila, had an easy job in their Pool E playoff match against New Zealand. Maria Lina Isabel Molde, who led the team with the top-scoring skill in every match they played, remained the backbone of the Philippines. She carried out several powerful attack hits to help her team claim the easy first set 25-11. Alice Seemann gave New Zealand a comeback in the second set, which she smashed sharp spikes to score crucial points for the team. The Kiwis took the second set 25-21. New Zealand became more prone with unforced serving and attacking mistakes to go down the next two sets 5-25 14-25. The Philippines eventually captured the 3-1 victory over the less-trained Kiwis. At the end of the last eight playoffs in Pool E, Thailand emerged as the top spot in the pool with eight points from straight three wins against no loss. China had seven points with two wins against one loss. The Philippines and winless New Zealand came in third and fourth in Pool E with three points and no point respectively. Japan b Korea 3-0 (25-21 25-20 25-21) In what could be a clash of the Titans between Japan, reigning and consecutive four-time Asian champions which finished fifth in the last year’s world meet here in Nakhon Ratchasima, and a well-organised Korea, the Japanese fared better offensively to take the hard-fought first set 25-21. Both sides came up with the similar standard in the second set to display amazing speed and power at the net. However, Japan, powered by smashing machine Airi Miyabe, covered the court marvelously to capture the pole position at 19-16 and widened the gap to 24-19. Lee Miae spiked devastatingly to save one set point for Korea. Their challenge did not last long, however, when Shuri Yamaguchi produced an effective drop shot close to the net, making the Koreans unable to retrieve. Japan snatched the set 25-20. Japan still dominated the third set, which they led initially 12-6. Despite putting up a brave fight, Korea still proved no match against the Japanese attacking tactics to go down fighting 21-25. Ari Miyabe tallied 20 points for Japan, while Lee Miae scored a match-high 13 points for Korea. “We played well, but a tough task awaits us in the next couple days. We have to train harder to make our team well-prepared for the remaining matches. Our next match against New Zealand will not be that tough, but the semi-finals will be the most important match for us. As far as I’m concerned, China are very strong with high blocking and good attacks. If we have to play them, we must play carefully and have the least of mistakes. We will do our best,” said Japan’s head coach Daichi Saegusa. Chinese Taipei b Kazakhstan 3-1 (25-9 25-18 24-26 25-23) World No.10 Chinese Taipei, which stunned Korea in the third-place playoff in the previous episode in Chengdu, China two years ago, played comfortably to take the one-sided set 25-9. Kazakhstan regrouped and bounced back bravely to take the second set 25-18. The third set was a see-saw battle which saw both sides give it with their utmost effort to exchange leads. Kazakhstan, led by Aidana Oryntayeva and Zhanna Syroyeshkina, did better to win the close set 26-24. The fourth set started with the similar fashion with Chinese Taipei leading all the way. Kazakhstan improved their fortunes when they caught up with the Taiwanese girls at 18-18. Still, the Kazakhs lost their touch and their attacks flopped miserably. Chinese Taipei seized a golden opportunity to storm back with huge spikes and solid blockings to win the set 25-23 and the match. Japan continued their perfect run with nine points from straight three wins without losing a set to their respective rivals. As expected, Japan top Pool F, with Korea in second spot with six points from two wins against one loss. Chinese Taipei finished third in Pool F with three points from one win against two losses and winless Kazakhstan in fourth position with no point. The knock-out quarter-finals will be held on Friday, October 17, 2014, with the top team in each pool taking on fourth place in the other pool and the second place challenging the third position in the other pool. Following the Wednesday’s results, the Friday’s quarter-finals will see Thailand take on Kazakhstan, Chinese Taipei face China, Japan play New Zealand and Korea meet the Philippines. Wednesday’s results 1st-8th playoffs Pool E: Philippines b New Zealand 3-1 (25-11 21-25 25-5 25-14); Thailand b China 3-2 (30-28 21-25 23-25 25-14 15-9) Pool F: Chinese Taipei b Kazakhstan 3-1 (25-9 25-18 24-26 25-23); Japan b Korea 3-0 (25-21 25-20 25-21) Team ranking 1st-8th Pool E: 1. Thailand 8 points; 2. China 7 points; 3. The Philippines 3 points; 4. New Zealand 0 point Pool F: 1. Japan 9 points; 2. Korea 6 points; 3. Chinese Taipei 3 points; 4. Kazakhstan 0 point 9th-13 Pool G: 1. Hong Kong 3 points; 2. Australia 0 point; 3. India 0 point Pool H: 1. Vietnam; 2. Iran Match schedule Thursday, October 16, 2014 9th-13th playoffs 2pm: Pool G: Hong Kong (A3) v New Zealand (C3) 4pm: Pool H: Vietnam (B3) v Iran (D3) Friday, October 17, 2014 11th-12th playoff 10am: G2 v H2 1st-18th Quarter-finals 12pm: China (E2) v Chinese Taipei (F3) 2pm: Japan (F1) v New Zealand (E4) 4pm: Thailand (E1) v Kazakhstan (F4) 6pm: Korea (F2) v the Philippines (E3) Photos 1. Chinas Zhang Yuqian attacks smaller Thai blockers. 2. Japans Yuka Yamaguchi sets for a spike.
Posted on: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 06:04:07 +0000
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