Thailand claimed bronze medal after 3-0 shutout of Vietnam
Hangzhou, China, October 7, 2023 – China retained the Asian Games title and turned the electric atmosphere of the Hangzhou Normal University Cangqian Gymnasium into one of the absolute joys with a sensational 3-0 victory over Japan’s second-string squad in the gold-medal match of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Women’s Volleyball Competition that made the home crowd inside the packed venue erupted in celebration.
The exceptional 25-15, 25-21, 25-21 victory gave world No.6 China the eventual title for two in succession in the quadrennial multi-sports extravaganza and has stretched their aura of invincibility to nine in total. Ahead of their victory with remarkable unbeaten record in Hangzhou,
China had already captured eight Asian Games titles, namely 1982 (New Delhi, India), 1986 (Seoul, Korea), 1990 (Beijing, China), 1998 (Bangkok, Thailand), 2002 (Busan, Korea), 2006 (Doha, Qatar), 2010 (Guangzhou, China) and 2018 (Jakarta-Palembang, Indonesia).
Following their disappoint loss in the Saturday’s showdown at the hands of hosts China, Japan continued their Asian Games gold-medal drought which has already lasted 45 years since they last captured gold medal at the 1978 Bangkok Games in Thailand.
Against the Chinese, which captured gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games and historic silver medal at this year’s VNL to their name, Japan found a tough going with difficulties in overcoming the much-taller blockers with their attacks and retrieving powerful spikes by left-hander Li Yingying and Gong Xiangyu and fast attacks from towering Yuan Xinyue and Wang Yuanyuan.
The 202cm-tall Yuan led the China’s scoring efforts with 7 attacks, while Li Yingying and Wang Yuanyuan, both bagging 5 points each, also played a big part of the team’s first set win 25-15.
Outside hitter Yuki Nishikawa and fellow outside hitter Miyu Nakagawa gave Japan a strong comeback in the second set, which they challenged seriously and gave the host side a threat with attacks and effective blocks. As the Japanese came within a whisker of catching the Chinese at 20-22, the hosts still had enough in their tank to hold them off. Yuan Xinyue carried out a fast attack to help China extend it to 23-20 before middle blocker Haruyo Shimamura landed a thundering spike for the reduced gap 21-23. Yuan did it again to deliver the set point at 24-21 and Li closed out the set for China 25-21 with her heavy blow.
The third set was closely-contested with Japan showcasing their courage and prowess with swift counter-attacks and excellent offensive combinations to be hot on the Chinese heels. Leading narrowly with a two-point clear at 20-18, China continued their onslaughts with Li Yingying, Yuan and sub-in Wu Mengjie on fire to take turns penetrating the Japanese defence with their attacks and deceptive drops. China captured the thrilling set 25-21, match and gold medal.
Skipper and middle blocker Yuan Xinyue was the most productive player of China, tallying 18 points from 17 kills and one block, while Li Yingying, Wang Yuanyuan and Gong Xiangyu kept good company to add another 16, 12 and 10 points respectively for the team’s triumph. Miyu Nakagawa contributed 11 points, all in attack, for Japan, while Minami Uesaka and Haruyo Shimamura added 10 points apiece on the team’s losing effort.
The China’s dominance was visible in the match stats as the winners dominated in kills (53 to 47), the blocking game (11 to 0) and benefitted from more opponent errors (8 to 7), but both sides had the same balance in aces (3 to 3).
Earlier, the third-place playoff match between world No.13 Thailand and world No.39 Vietnam saw the former live up to the expectations to power past the latter in hard-fought three-set thriller 25-19, 25-23, 25-20 to pick up bronze medal.
Opposite Pimpichaya Kokram chipped in with 20 points from 19 kills and one ace for Thailand, while outside hitter Chatchu-On Moksri and middle blocker Thatdao Nuekjang added 10 points apiece for the team’s much-needed victory. Team captain and outside hitter Tran Thi Thanh Thuy contributed 20 points including 19 kills from 43 attempts in the Vietnam’s bitter loss.
It was the Thailand’s second bronze medal in the Asian Games history. Their first bronze medal was achieved at the 2014 Incheon Games in Korea following their 3-0 demolition of Japan in the third-place playoff. At the previous edition of the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, Thailand clinched silver medal after going down in straight sets to indomitable China in the final showdown.
In Hangzhou, Thailand’s expectation could not be that high due to the great turnouts of strong teams including the star-studded Chinese. Going down in straight sets to Japan in the Pool F clash of Top 8, Thailand suffered another setback with a straight-set loss to hosts China in the semifinals. To beat Vietnam in the third-place playoff for bronze medal was, therefore, a beacon of light in the darkest times since it could be the only thing keeping the Thai team going when all seemed lost.
On the other hand, Vietnam had also come this far in Hangzhou with markedly improved performance. The Vietnamese made history here after advancing to the unprecedented semifinals. In their first Asian Games appearance at the Doha Games in Qatar in 2006, Vietnam finished 7th. They completed their second Asian Games campaign in Indonesia in 2018 when they returned with 6th position and in Hangzhou this time, they came in well-earned fourth place.
Thailand, which had already beaten Vietnam for four times this year including the 3-1 win in the final of the SEA Games women’s volleyball event in Cambodia in May and the last month’s Nakhon Ratchasima-hosted 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Championship in Thailand, combined their offensive combinations from Pimpichaya Kokram’s exceptional cross-court attacks and solid blocks from Hattha Bamrungsak and Pimpichaya for the win in the first two sets 25-19, 25-23
With Nguyen Thi Trinh and Tran Thi Thanh Thuy on fire in the third set, Vietnam regained their composure and hit back heavily. Leveling 10-10, Thailand put their acts together to surge ahead 17-12, extend it to 23-18 and, to all Thai fans’ great delight, seal the deal 25-20.
Opposite Pimpichaya Kokrum chipped in with 20 points including 19 kills from 38 attempts for Thailand. Middle blocker Thatdao Nuekjang and fellow outside hitter Chatchu-On Moksri added 10 points apiece for the team’s win.
At Deqing Sports Center Gymnasium, world No.40 Korea, bronze medallists at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, finished 5th place in Hangzhou after demolishing world No.45 Chinese Taipei, which finished a disappointing 11th at the last month’s Asian Senior Women’s Championship in Thailand, in impressive three-setter 25-21, 25-22, 25-17.
Outside hitter Kang Sohwi led the Korea’s offense with 21 points from 19 kills, one block and one ace, while opposite Chang Li-Wen topscored with 14 points, all in attack, for Chinese Taipei.
In the classification round for 7th-8th places, outside hitter Kim Hyonju scored a match-high 39 points to steer DPR Korea to 3-2 (25-9, 18-25, 25-20. 20-25, 15-10) win against world No.32 Kazakhstan, which finished similar 5th at the last month’s Asian Senior Women’s Championship and the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
North Korean Kim Hyonju’s massive 39 points came from 37 kills from 78 attempts, one block and one ace, while outside hitter Zarina Sitikazinova and opposite Kristina Belova led Kazakhstan with 17 points apiece.
Meanwhile, world No.65 India, 10th at 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia and 7th at the last month’s 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Championship in Thailand, finished 9th at the Hangzhou Asian Games after dramatic 3-2 (25-18, 18-25, 20-25, 25-19, 15-9) win against world No.69 Hong Kong, China in their classification round for 9th-10th places at Hangzhou Normal University Cangqian Gymnasium on Saturday.
Nepal recovered from the first set down to beat world No.78 Mongolia in epic tie-breaker 17-25, 25-18, 25-21, 18-25, 15-12 in their classification round for 11th-12th places at Deqing Sports Center Gymnasium on Saturday. Nepal came in 11th place, with Mongolia in 12th position. The Mongolians were placed 12th at the last month’s 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Championship in Thailand.
The awards presentation and closing ceremony had been held shortly after end of the final match. AVC President Mrs Rita Subowo was among guests of honor to present medals and bouquets of flowers to respective medallists.
China were crowned Hangzhou Asian Games champions to capture gold medal, while Japan picked up silver medal. Thailand had to be content with bronze medal. All medallists were all smiles. Photo opportunities had been arranged for medallists and team officials as well as distinguished guests. It was a happy ending for those three teams making the podium. Rivalry will be renewed in the next three years in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan in 2026.
Gold medal – China
Silver – Japan
Bronze medal – Thailand
COMPETITION SUMMARY
FINAL STANDING
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