Jiangmen, China, July 9, 2024 – Formidable Korea pulled off hard-fought 3-1 (25-21, 18-25, 25-22, 25-23) win against Thailand, the team they lost 2-3 in the third-place playoff clash at the previous edition in Kazakhstan two years ago, in the bronze medal match of the 22nd Asian Women’s U20 Volleyball Championship at the Jiangmen Sports Center Gymnasium on Tuesday.
The victory in the bronze medal match in Jiangmen brought Korea back to the podium in the championship for the first time since 2014 in Chinese Taipei, when they claimed bronze following dramatic 3-2 win against Thailand.
Lee Jiyun delivered 18 points from 13 kills, 4 blocks and one ace for Korea, while Kim Sebeen and Lee Jua kept good company to contribute 15 and 14 points respectively. Warisara Seetaloed was the most productive player in this match, but could not steer Thailand to the win. She scored a match-high 29 points including 26 attacks from 61 attempts on the team’s loss.
In their rematch of the 2022 bronze medal encounter in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Korea, powered by hard-hitting Lee Jua and Kim Seebeen, the only player who competed for the Korean side at the previous edition, played a tough match against Thailand, whose offensive system was orchestrated by Warisara Seetaloed, left-hander Papatchaya Phontham and Tanyapron Seeso.
Korea briefly led from the beginning of the first set, with Lee Jua displaying her exceptional talent to score three points in a row from two attacks and one ace serve to open an early 5-3 lead and were able to extend it to 16-14. The Thai girls regrouped and clawed their way back to level it at 17-17, thanks to Warisara’s exceptional attacks. The formidable Koreans held their nerves, with opposite Lee Chaeyoung’s strike enabling the team to close out the set 25-21.
Conceding one set, Thailand bounced back in the second set. Warisara and Tanyapron countered with great attacks, while Phattharawadee Khamnuan and the 183cm-tall Thipsuda Bualai produced solid blocks to put the Korean offense to the limit. As the rhythm remained with the Thai girls, Korea struggled to live up to their expectations and trailed behind 18-23. Korea produced two unforced mistakes, one from Lee Miyun’s attacking error and another one from Lee Jua’s tip which touched antenna. Thailand took the second set 25-18.
The third set was dominated by Korea. Despite putting up a brave fight, Thailand found the going gets tough and the Koreans remained on their leading way. Trailing 17-21, Thailand upped their tempo and fought back consistently with good transition play. Papatchaya’s off-the-block kills and Tanyapron’s swift two-hand push helped the Thai team narrow the gap 22-24. Still, their attempt was in vain eventually with an ace serve from Kim Sebeen.
In the fourth set, Thailand poured all they had to win the set and make amends in the tie-breaker. Their more determination was almost rewarded handsomely when both sides locked horns in a tight contest shortly after they were leveled at 17-17. With points traded for a while, Korea regained control and reached the set point 24-22. Papatchaya saved it for Thailand with her thundering attack, but the Thai fightback did not last long as Korea went on to win the well-fought set 25-23, match and bronze medal.
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