Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, June 12, 2022 – Reigning champions Japan smashed the Thai’s sweet dreams of advancing to the final in eight years after defeating the host side in thrilling straight sets 25-11, 25-19, 26-24 to power their way into the Monday’s showdown against China at the 14th Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship at Nakhon Pathom Sports Center Gymnasium on Sunday.
The exceptional win gave Japan the 2017 and 2018 final rematch with old foes China, the team they had beaten twice in those two finals and the team they had already beaten in straight sets in the preliminary Pool B match on the very first day of this topflight championship here.
At the previous edition at the same competition site here in 2018, Thailand also succumbed to the semi-finals 2-3 loss to Japan to crash out of the title race. This time, Japan repeated the similar feat against the host side, winning in straight sets to extend their remarkable unbeaten records to 6 in succession without dropping a single set to their respective rivals. Thailand will play their last match on Monday against Korea in the third-place playoff to fight for bronze medal.
Sae Omori chipped in with 17 points for Japan including 15 attacks from 30 attempts. Tanyapron Seeso led Thailand with 15 points including 14 attacks from 25 attempts.
Against the host side in the do-or-die semifinals, Japan, spearheaded by powerful Riri Kasai, made a solid start and caught fire shortly after that. With Riri and Sae attacking spectacularly at both wings, Japan clinched the totally one-sided first set 25-11.
As the Thais became riddled with several unforced attacking mistakes in the second set, Japan grabbed the chance to counter-attack aggressively and block well to advance to 20-12 and went on in that fine form to win the set 25-19.
Holding a 0-2 disadvantage, Thailand came back to the competition court with less mistakes in the third set. Both teams delighted audiences inside the venue with their exceptional tactics and good teamwork. However, despite putting up a strong fightback to close the margin 24-24, Thailand found the rivals unstoppable and even the substitutions could not turn the tide for them. Japan went on their consistent play to win two crucial points to capture the hard-fought set 26-24, match and a final berth.
About 1,200 home fans watched the match onsite on Sunday. Two years on and the COVID-19 pandemic is still “far from over” with several sports events being held behind closed doors.
However, as Thailand has eased COVID-19 control measures in most areas, the image of spectators at the Nakhon Pathom Sports Centre Gymnasium noisily cheering their favourite team was well-proven that the cheering atmosphere has survived the biggest threat and already come to life for future key competitions to be held in Thailand.
Related links of AVC
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
AVC Facebook: click www.Facebook.com/AsianVolleyballConfederation
AVC Twitter: click: www.twitter.com/AsianVolleyball
AVC Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/avcvolley/?hl=en
AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation
AVC WeChat: Asian Volleyball Confederation