Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, June 28, 2022 – Thailand overcame daunting challenge from Malaysia to win the hard-fought five-set thriller for consecutive four wins in the “21st Princes Cup” 3rd AVC Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup at Nakhon Pathom Sports Centre Gymnasium here on Tuesday.
The dramatic 25-19, 25-27, 21-25, 25-15, 15-11 win against Malaysia helped Thailand maintain the top spot in the six-team standing with 11 points from four wins in a row, followed by India with 10 points from 3 wins against one loss. However, Thailand need a must-win match against India in their last match of the six-day, single round-robin tournament on Wednesday to make sure the prestigious Princess Cup could well be within their reach.
Against Malaysia, powered by the 184cm-tall Low Mei Cing, Thailand remained in their formidable lineup led by Donphon Sinpho and Archirayaphorn Kumjaiboon and they got off to a good start with 4-0 lead in the opening set.
Malaysia came roaring back through Low Mei Cing’s thundering attacks and sensational blocking to narrow the gap at 14-15 and 19-23. The host girls advanced 24-19 when a spike from Malaysia went wide before ending the visitors’ challenge with a solid block from the 180cm Buchanan Nanudorn and Chalanthon Tongti. Thailand took the thrilling set 25-19.
The second set was also closely-contested as both teams still lived up to their expectations. Thailand led initially 9-7, but the Malaysians impressively resisted the rivals’ best efforts of dominating the game as Low Mei Cing and Siah Irene Qi Min took turns unleashing on several powerful blows to help the team level 12-12 and again 20-20.
Thailand replaced Panatda Chaiyaphet with hard-attacking Ampha Sonsurat, but their intention was to no avail as Malaysia still played well to catch the host side 24-24 and 25-25. At the final assault, the determined Malaysians regained the composure, effectively blocking a fierce attack from Donphon to stay in front 26-25 and bagging another point to close out the hotly-contested set 27-25.
Their confidence went sky-high after winning one set from Thailand and Malaysia still showcased a dose of grit to score back-to-back points, met the host team at 10-10 and found a way through their impeccable wall to move ahead 22-19 and 24-20. The Malaysians allowed Thailand one more point before Low Mei Cing overcame the smaller blockers with her devastating attack for the team’s 25-21 win in the set and the crucial 2-1 lead.
The fourth set was dominated by Thailand when Achirayaphorn and Donphon gave the team a commanding 17-13 lead and they widened the gap to 20-13, forcing Malaysia head coach Liu Foo Yeon to call a timeout to improve his team’s tactics. His effort did not work out well as Thailand still gained stranglehold to win the set 25-15.
The do-or-die tiebreaker saw Thailand, cheered on by drum-beating home fans inside the competition site, came up with heightened defence and aggressive attacks from Donphon and Achirayaphorn to lead 13-10 and won a crucial point for a commanding 14-10, needing only one more point to win the decider and match. However, Malaysia taught them victory never comes easily. Ngin Jia Ning carried out a fast spike for the Malaysia’s reduced gap 11-14. Their good show was shortlived, however, when a powerful spike from Donphon completely ended the Malaysian challenge. Thailand sealed the set win 15-11 and match.
Achirayaphorn Kumjaiboon scored a team-high 30 points from 27 attacks and 3 aces for Thailand, while Donphon Sinpho contributed 26 points including 23 attacks. Low Mei Cing topscored with 32 points including 26 attacks and 3 aces on Malaysia’s losing efforts.
“It was a tough match against the strong Malaysia, whose wing spiker Low Mei Cing is very tall and powerful with various attacking tactics. Fortunately, I also did my homework, read the on-going game well and tried to reduce my unforced mistakes. However, I admit that it was a very thrilling match and I’ve never thought before that my team could come back to beat the Malaysians. Against India in our last match on Wednesday, I promise to do my best and will do it better than what I had done in previous matches. I will never underestimate India since they are also a strong team to be reckoned with,” Achirayaphorn said in an interview.
Thailand will play their last match in the tournament against India on Wednesday, while Malaysia will take on Singapore.
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