Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, August 7, 2022 – Embattled Thailand faced a tough test in their opening Pool A clash against Hong Kong, China to put it past the determined oppositions in hard-fought three-set thriller 25-22, 30-28, 25-23 in the 2022 AVC Cup for Men at the Nakhon Pathom Provincial Gymnasium on Sunday.
Hong Kong, China, coached by FIVB Instructor and High-Performance Coach Dragan Mihailovic from Serbia, got off to a great start to lead 4-0, thanks to the powerful attacks from 197cm-tall Tam Chun Ho Damian and Poon Chi Leung. To improve their dismal start, Thailand coach Monchai Supajirakul shuffled his line-up, sending in experienced players left-hander Amorntep Konhan, tall and towering hitter Kantapat Koonme and highly-skilled setter Mawin Maneewong. From then, it seemed Thailand shrugged off their rust as they chased from trailing 2-6 to catch the spirited visitors at 13-13 before advancing 16-15.
After that, it remained the Hong Kong China’s way as the team gained some more points, with Poon Chi Leung carrying out a fast attack to put his team in front 19-17. Strongly-built Napadet Bhinijdee got Thailand back on track with his sharp attacks at the net, but it was very tight until 20-20. The host side went ahead 22-21 and stormed on to widen the gap to 24-22, with captain Amorntep bagging two crucial points in a row including an off-the-block attack. A spike from Leung Ho Yin which went wide satisfied the cheering home crowds with the hard-fought 25-22 win in the set.
The second set was more thrilling when both sides gave their best and traded attack points. At 11-11, Thailand continued an amazing run with five consecutive points, thanks to Amorntep’s powerful jump serves, Kantapat’s attacks and Mawin’s solid blocks. Hong Kong China found their touch, using their triple blocks for fierce attacks from Kantapat and Amorntep and at the same time struck back to level at 23-all. A fierce battle unfolded with the lead going back and forth at home stretch. Kantapat fired a set point for Thailand and Prasert Pinkaew hammered an overpass for the team’s closely-contested 30-28 win.
With Leung Ho Yin and Tam Chun Ho Damian taking turns attacking powerfully at the net, Hong Kong, China gained an upper hand initially to lead 6-4 lead in the third set and stretch it to 13-10. Thailand clawed their way back to meet the close rivals 16-16 and again 20-20. As Hong Kong, China were error-strewn with attacking mistakes, Thailand grew in confidence. The host team advanced 23-21 and Tam Chun Ho Damian delivered the set point to Thailand with his spike mistake. However, he made amends later, attacking effectively to save two match points before a serve from Siu Cheong Hung went to the net for the Thailand’s set win 25-23 and match.
Amorntep Konhan chipped in with 16 points including 15 attacks for Thailand, while Tam Chun Ho Damian led all scorers with 17 points on Hong Kong China’s losing effort.
“We had a little time in training together as a team. I admit that it was a tough match against Hong Kong, China. My players played nervously in the first set and that’s why I replaced a few young players with experienced ones. Kantapat Koonme, one of our team’s key players, had a poor reception today, but I hope he can come up with improved form in the next match, which we are due to take on Korea. Without doubts, the Koreans are very, very strong, but we will try our best,” Thailand head coach Monchai Supajirakul commented at the post-match interview.
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