Day 4 Wrap Up
Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, June 28, 2022 – Embattled Thailand survived huge scare from Malaysia to capture a hard-fought five-set thriller for four wins on the trot in the “21st Princess 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 in the see-saw battle against Malaysia helped Thailand maintain their unbeaten run and the top spot in the six-team standing with 11 points from four wins in a row. India suffered their first setback in the single round-robin tournament at the hands of Hong Kong, China following their disappointing 2-3 loss on Tuesday to trail in close second with 10 points from 3 wins against one loss.
Hong Kong, China had 8 points from 3 wins against one loss to come in third place. As India had already ended their campaign in the 3rd AVC Women’s Challenge Cup and they look to fight it out with hosts Thailand to strive for their success in the 21st Princess Cup instead, Hong Kong, China are due to take on Uzbekistan in their last encounter and a possible win in that match will give the Hong Kong girls their unprecedented title at the 3rd AVC Women’s Challenge Cup.
However, Thailand need a must-win match against India in their last match of the six-day 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 took the offensive mobility of Donphon Sinpho and Archirayaphorn Kumjaiboon to help the host side claim the first set 25-19.
Nonetheless, the Thais’ delight was short-lived when Malaysia came roaring back through Low Mei Cing’s thundering attacks and sensational blocking to seal wins in the next two sets 27-25, 25-21,
Achirayaphorn and Donphon remained the Thailand’s mainstays in the fourth set, which was won easily by the host girls 25-15, forcing the tie-breaker to determine the eventual winners. Cheered on by nerve-wracking, drum-beating home fans, Thailand upped their tempo, with Donphon and Achirayaphorn entertaining the crowds with powerful attacks to gain stranglehold and win the decider 15-11.
“It was a tough match against the strong Malaysia. Wing spiker Low Mei Cing is very tall and powerful and always came up with various attacking tactics. I also did my homework, read the game well and tried to reduce my unforced mistakes. 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. India are also strong and we can’t underestimate them,” Achirayaphorn, Thailand’s top scorer with 30 points in this match, was quoted as saying.
Thailand will play their last match in the tournament against India on Wednesday, while Malaysia will take on Singapore.
At the previous 20th Princess Cup at the same competition venue here four years ago, Thailand successfully retained their title after beating India in straight sets in the final showdown.
Meanwhile, in the other thrilling match earlier, Hong Kong, China lost the comfortable first two sets to India 12-25, 18-25, but bounced back mightily, with powerful hitter Pang Wing Lam and the 185cm Yeung Sau Mei uncorking destructive spikes to help the team win three sets in a row 25-13, 25-19, 15-6 for the eventual 3-2 win against the Indians.
After the match, Hong Kong, China head coach Kwok Kin Chuen admitted that despite the win, it was a very difficult match. “Actually, we prepared well for this match against India, but my players were not at their best from the very beginning to go down in the first two sets. However, they improved and played much better in the next three sets for the crucial win.”
Hong Kong, China will next play Uzbekistan in their last match on Wednesday.
The Uzbek girls enjoyed the taste of first victory on Tuesday after putting it past underdogs Singapore in straight sets 25-19, 25-11, 25-20. Singapore will next challenge Malaysia, fifth place at the last month’s Vietnam-hosted 31st Southeast Asian Games, on Wednesday.
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