DAY 2 WRAP UP
Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, June 7, 2022 – Defending and eight-time champions Japan and hosts Thailand, both yet losing a single set to their respective rivals in the pool round-robin preliminaries, maintained their remarkable unbeaten records in the 14th Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship at Nakhon Pathom Sports Centre Gymnasium here on Tuesday.
After two days of the pool plays, Thailand and Japan sealed two wins in succession to stay atop Pool A and Pool B respectively, enhancing their chances of advancing to the round of the top four teams.
On Tuesday, perennial winners Japan, which the previous day pulled off a stunning 3-0 win against China in the 2018 final rematch, powered past India in convincing straight sets 25-11, 25-10, 25-18 for two wins in a row in this top-flight championship.
Miuka Watanabe became the star of the team as she registered a match-high 17 points including 12 attacks for Japan, while no one scored double digits for India as Kavita led the team with 8 points.
Miuka said after the match, “Our last night’s win against China made us so happy as that was a big victory. Today, we played more relaxed and we did not get into trouble beating India.’’
Another unbeaten team, Thailand overwhelmed Australia 25-18, 25-16, 25-9 to hand the aspiring opponents the second loss in the eight-day championship. The host side are due to next take on Iran on Wednesday in their third Pool A clash, while the Aussies will go up against Korea.
Kanchana Sisaikaeo chipped in with 11 points for Thailand, while Caitlin Whincup bagged 12 points including 10 attacks for Australia.
The thrilling Thailand-Australia encounter was witnessed by Mr Somporn Chaibangyang, President of Thailand Volleyball Association, who arrived in the competition site to watch the match in subdued excitement.
In other Pool A encounters, Uzbekistan, which had already suffered their first defeat at the hands of hosts Thailand in the previous match on Monday, fell short and succumbed to their bitter 0-3 (9-25, 15-25, 12-25) loss to Korea. The Uzbeks are due to next face off with the Australians on Thursday after a day’s rest, while Korea will first challenge Australia on Wednesday.
Shin Enuji weighed in with 17 points including 8 attacks for Korea, while Kim Sabeen kept good company as she contributed 13 points through her deadly attacks. Dilnoza Boymirzaeva topscored with 6 points for Uzbekistan.
In Pool B, Kazakhstan, going down to Chinese Taipei 1-3 in their opening clash the previous day, revived their fortunes to beat Philippines in convincing three-setter 26-24, 25-19, 25-15 on Tuesday.
Sofiya Gorbachev, Ayaulym Turdykhanova, and Aruzhan Berkimbay all chipped in with 10 points apiece for Kazakhstan, while Viane Rhose Almendralejo led the Philippines with 9 points, all from powerful spikes.
“My players need more work and harmony. One-month training is not enough at all. Today, they played better. Many of these players are able to play at the junior and senior levels in the near future,” said Kazakhstan’s head coach, Adlet Takenov after the match.
On the last match of the day, Chinese Taipei, which got off to a flying start with a four-set win against Kazakhstan in their first match the previous day, tasted their first defeat against China, which had the wind in their sails after the first-day loss to Japan. The former four-time winners proved too hot for the Taiwanese girls to handle to brush off the smaller-built rivals in straight sets 16-25, 20-25, 9-25.
With the sensational victory over Chinese Taipei, China bagged their first win in Pool B. Chen Xiyue steered China to the crucial win after tallying 21 points for the team, while Shan Linqian and Wang Yindi added 12 points apiece. Chen Ssu-yu scored 10 points on the Chinese Taipei’s losing effort.
MATCH RESULTS, STANDING AND MATCH SCHEDULE
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