Jiangmen, China, July 3, 2024 – Thailand advanced to round of last 8 following consecutive two wins in Pool C including the sensational straight-set victory against Iran in their last pool play match of the 22nd Asian Women’s U20 Volleyball Championship at the Jiangmen Sports Center Gymnasium on Wednesday.
The scintillating 25-14, 25-22, 25-17 win helped Thailand capture the top spot in Pool C and secure their place in the round of last 8, while Iran, which went down in straight sets to Vietnam the previous day, succumbed to two straight losses to be relegated to classification round for 9th-12th places.
Warisara Seetaloed scored a match-high 19 points from 17 kills and 2 aces for Thailand, while Nakarinporn Budda and Thipsuda Bualai contributed 9 and 8 points respectively. Shaghayegh Hassankhani scored 13 points, all in attack, on the Iran’s loss.
Thailand, bronze medallists at the previous edition in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan two years ago, had already beaten Vietnam in straight sets on Monday, while Iran succumbed to straight-set loss to Vietnam and badly needed a win in a match against Thailand to keep their hopes of advancing to the round of last 8 alive.
With talented Warisara Seetaloed on fire in attack, Thailand got off to a strong start in the first set to lead 13-5. Budda Nakarinporn’s ace service and exceptional attacks from Warisara, left-hander Papatchaya Phontham and Tanyapron Seeso all gave Thailand a good run and they widened the gap to reach the set point at 24-12. Iran, powered by hard-attacking Dastbarjan Sepinood, scored two points in a row, before Thailand closed out the set 25-14.
The second set was more thrilling when both teams played neck and neck, leaving the lead to swing back and forth for several times. As the score was leveled at 15-15, Thailand attacked from all angles, with Warisara and Tanyapron being scoring forces for the team and thorns in the Iranian defence. They hit over the top of the rivals’ blocks and never slowed down to help Thailand advance 22-20. Iran responded with attacks from Sepinood and Hassankhani Shaghayegh to trail close behind 22-24 before sub-in Kanchana Sisaikaeo overcame the taller blockers with her great spike to end the Iranian challenge in this hard-fought set 25-22.
Conceding two straight sets, Iran poured everything they had to win the third set, but Warisara and Thanyapron remained productive for Thailand in this set as they unleashed powerful attacks to put the team in front 15-10 before widening it to 19-12. Iran did not surrender easily and clawed their way back to win some points, but their comeback effort was denied. Thailand stormed on to win the set 25-17 and match.
“Today, we have to praise Iran as they have tall players with high blocking. They tried to support on each other, defensively and offensively. Some players in my team played nervously, especially when the game became intense. However, we taught them to understand our game plan and things started to get better after that. We will next take on Kazakhstan and China. Against Kazakhstan, we can’t underestimate them. They are taller than us and we have to use aggressive service to limit their offense. Regarding our match against China, I think we have to use fast attack and good defence,” said Thailand head coach Kritideach Arjwichai after the match.
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