Wrap-Up Day 4
By Maryam Hessaby
Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, October 4, 2021 – Unbeaten Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC and former consecutive two-time winners Supreme Chonburi set up an all-Thais clash as in-form Saipa will get a rematch with dominant Altay in highly-anticipated semifinals of the 2021 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship at Terminal 21 Hall on Wednesday.
Hosts Nakhon Ratchasima, resting their promising setter Nootsara Tomkom and fielding substitutions in their quarterfinal encounter on Monday, proved a cut above Rebisco to brush off the determined Philippine side in straight sets 25-11, 25-19, 25-18 to book their semifinal berth
Chatsuda Nilapa emerged as the top sorer of Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC after scoring 13 points, while Ivy Keith Lacsina led Rebisco with 9 points.
“We are in our top form today with a nice momentum and teamwork. I only missed some of the first balls, which I think is my weak point today. In terms of the team, I think we need to improve our defensive game,” said Chatsuda Nilapa, who joined the Thailand national team in this year’s VNL in Rimini, Italy.
Formidable Nakhon Ratchasima maintained their unbeaten run in the one-week championship and set up an all-Thais semifinal clash against Supreme Chonburi in what could be clash of the Titans as both sides are loaded with former and current Thailand national team players.
As Nakhon Ratchasima, four-time Thailand League winners, are strong with the likes of highly-experienced setter Nootsara Tomkom, ace spiker Chatchu-on Moksri, Kannika Thipachot, Chitaporn Kamlangmak, Kuttika Kaewpin, Chatsuda Nilapa and Karina Krause, Supreme Chonburi also have a strong roster led by superstar Pleumjit Thinkaow, veterans Wilawan Apinyapong and Malika Kanthong, hard-attacking Wipawee Srithong, Sutadta Chuewulim and Watchareeya Nuanjam.
On Monday, Supreme Chonburi, three-time Thailand League winners and the Asian Women’s Club champions in 2017 and 2018 both in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan, dashed Choco Mucho’s high hopes of winning their very first match in Thailand to demolish the gallant Philippine team in another entertaining quarterfinal match 25-13, 25-22, 25-21.
“We came with full confidence and one goal in mind, that is to advance to the semifinals. Even though Pleumjit was in her 70% of performance today, it helped boost the team spirit while in the game. After four matches, only one team from Thailand will make it to the final and I do hope it can be our team. I would like Thai fans to give big support for both Thai teams no matter which will be in the final,” Supreme Chonburi head coach Nataphon Srisamutnak commented.
The third match of the day turned out to be a hotly-contested quarterfinal encounter as the Iran’s Super League champions Saipa survived a sturdy challenge from Zhetysu to stun the Kazakh side in hard-fought three-set thriller 25-21, 25-21, 25-23.
With this great win, Saipa were on cloud nine on Monday as they wrote a new chapter of Iran volleyball by becoming the first Iran women’s team ever to finish Top Four in the Asian-level competition.
“I am so happy that my team win the match today. This victory is so precious for us. From the very first, what I have initially expected from my team is to make it to the semifinals and now it’s a dream come true. I appreciate my players’ hard work. They showed their quality in this match. This is the first time in history of Iran volleyball that an Iran women’s team is among Top Four. My players made dramatic improvement and I am proud of them today,” a happy Saipa head coach Maryam Sadat Hashemi commented after the match.
In the Wednesday’s semifinals, Saipa will renew rivalry with Kazakhstan’s Altay, the team they went down in straight sets in the preliminary Pool A clash earlier. Altay became the first team to advance to the semifinals as the Pool B winners were due to take on the team finishing fourth in Pool A. However, as Pool A featured only three teams, Altay received a quarterfinal bye to automatically secure their semifinal berth.
With the three winning teams on Monday advancing to the semifinals, the losers have been relegated to the classification round for 5th-7th places, with Choco Mucho taking on Rebisco and Zhetysu receiving a bye. The only winners in the all-Philippine affair on Wednesday will fight it out with Zhetysu for the 5th place.
The on-going 2021 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in Thailand serves as the qualification for the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in Ankara, Turkey from December 15 to 19, 2021.
The 2021 Asian Women’s Club Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima continues through Thursday when the curtain will come down on the 21st episode with the awards presentation and the closing ceremony of the championship.
QUARTERFINALS RESULTS
Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC (Thailand) b Rebisco (Philippines) 3-0 (25-11 25-19 25-18)
Supreme Chonburi (Thailand) b Choco Mucho (Philippines) 3-0 (25-13, 25-22, 25-21)
Saipa (Iran) b Zhetysu (Kazakhstan) 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-23)
MATCH SCHEDULE
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
5th-8th PLAYOFFS
10.00am: A4 (team losing Match 10) v Zhetysu (Kazakhstan) – bye
12.30pm: Rebisco (Philippines) v Choco Mucho (Philippines)
SEMIFINALS
3.30pm: Altay (Kazakhstan) v Saipa (Iran)
6.30pm: Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC (Thailand) v Supreme Chonburi (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