Thailand captured their first victory at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship in Cagliari, Italy after a magnificent comeback 3-1 win against African champions Egypt in their last Pool A preliminary encounter on Saturday.
Thailand, which succumbed to their first two 0-3 losses to world No.1 Italy and Czech Republic, recovered from the first set down 18-25 against Egypt, current world No.8 and 13th at the previous edition two years ago in Bahrain, to win the remaining hard-fought three sets 25-23, 25-22, 27-25.
The Asian side ended their first-round campaign in third place in Pool A with 3 points from one win against two losses, while winless Egypt came in fourth place. However, both teams have been relegated to 9th-16th classification round, where they will strut their stuff in Pool G in Carbonia, Italy with reigning champions Iran and Morocco, respective third and fourth places from Pool C.
Sutthiphong Donlakkham chipped in with 17 points including 13 attacks and 3 aces for Thailand, with Khomson Phasi adding 15 points. Elhossiny Eissa Abdelrahman scored a match-high 28 points including 26 attacks on Egypt’s losing effort.
Abdelrehim Mohamed, middle blocker of Egypt: “We came here to win all our three matches from the Preliminary Round, but we lacked luck. In each game, we would repeat the same scenario, allowing mistakes to determine the final outcome. However, we will try to prepare ourselves the best way possible for the next matches.
Donlakkham Sutthiphong, opposite and captain of Thailand: “It was our goal to win a match in the first round, and we are really happy to have accomplished it! We played as a team, we played with fun, without stress. Finally, I want to thank to all the supporters here in the hall in Cagliari and the ones watching us online – they really gave us the strength to fight!”
Grasping for first win in this topflight tournament, Egypt got off to a brilliant start to lead 10-0 in the first set, but Thailand tried to shrug off their rust and engineered a determined fightback. Still, their efforts were in vain. Egypt claimed the comfortable first set 25-18.
Thailand regrouped and played more consistently in the following sets, with Sutthiphong Donlakkham and Khomson Phasi being the backbone of the team. Both spikers punctured the Egyptian defence with their exceptional attacks and helped bring Thailand back on the right track for back-to-back 25-23, 25-22 win in the second and third sets.
Holding a 2-1 advantage, Thailand fought hard in the fourth set to chase from trailing 10-17 to catch Egypt at 17-all and remained hungry for more success. The Asian side went on their fine form to meet the rivals at 24-all and never looked back since then to bag two points in a row for the set win 27-25 and 3-1 match.
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