STRUGGLING THAILAND EDGE PAST CHINESE TAIPEI IN FOUR-SET THRILLER – Asian Volleyball Confederation

May 2017
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Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, May 17, 2017 – Locked in a hotly-contested battle, hosts Thailand survived a sturdy challenge from Chinese Taipei to beat the determined opponents in a hard-fought four-set thriller at their second playoff match of the round of the last eight teams in the SMM 2nd Asian Women’s U23 Volleyball Championship at The Mall Nakhon Ratchasima’s MCC Hall on Wednesday.

The dramatic 27-25 23-25 28-26 25-21 victory before a large crowd of cheering home fans has carried the Thai squad to the top of Pool E and a more comfortable task awaits them in the knock-out quarter-finals, where they will take on the fourth place of Pool F on Friday

Chatchu-on Moksri remains the Thailand’s top scorer with 23 points, all from her devastating attacks. Pimpichaya Kokram contributed with 21 kills. Tseng Wan-Ling led Chinese Taipei with 19 points including 11 kills and 7 scintillating blocks.

After the match, Thailand’s head coach Nataphon Srisamutnak said, “I think Thailand and Chinese Taipei played well in this match. Both teams came up with the similar level in attacks, but in some crucial moments Chinese Taipei performed much better on solid defence and counter-attacked well to score consecutive points. Fortunately, we also blocked well which helped us win the tough match. I admit that Chinese Taipei are very strong and to beat them is not an easy job. However, following this win, we are quite confident of advancing to the semi-finals, where we are due to take on Vietnam. I think the Vietnamese attacks are great, but their defence is not that good. We won’t underestimate them, but instead will try to do our best,” Nataphon said.

Chinese Taipei’s head coach Lin Ming-Hui commented, “It was a tough loss, but I think my players played well and had a good fight. It was a good match for both teams. We had close scores in every set. We will next play Iran for the next match. I think they are tall and have the same style like Kazakhstan. We will do our best to get through to the semi-finals.”

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