THAILAND PRODUCE EPIC COMEBACK TO BEAT CHINA 3-2 FOR 5TH PLACE AT ASIAN MEN’S U18 CHAMPIONSHIP – Asian Volleyball Confederation

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THAILAND PRODUCE EPIC COMEBACK TO BEAT CHINA 3-2 FOR 5TH PLACE AT ASIAN MEN’S U18 CHAMPIONSHIP

Tabriz, Iran, July 6, 2018 – Thailand pulled off a fantastic 3-2 (22-25 25-17 19-25 25-23 16-14) comeback victory over China to end their campaign at the 12th Asian Men’s U18 Volleyball Championship at the Poursharifi Gymnasium with the well-earned 5th place.

Against the Asian powerhouses which claimed bronze medal at the previous edition last year in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, Thailand had a poor start to lose the first set 25-22. Sutthiphong Donlakkham and Chayut Khongrueng were the Thailand’s strong comeback as both uncorked a barrage of powerful cross-court attacks, successfully blunting the Chinese blocking attempts. Thailand took the second set 25-17.

Their confidence back on track following a one-set win, Thailand started to produce quality, with promising Sutthiphong showing his exceptional skill in attacking and blocking. China responded with explosive mid-court attacks from Wang Bin and Zhuang Yuanlin to help China close out the third set 25-19.

The fourth set saw both sides trade attacks from the very beginning, but Thailand remained in top form. Taking a commanding 23-20 lead, Thailand did not look back to win the set 25-23, forcing the formidable rivals to play in tie-breaker.

In the deciding set, determined Thailand still performed their best to narrowly beat China 16-14 for the 5^th place after 13 years. Thailand finished the similar 5th position in 2003 and since then had never performed better than 6th position, which they won at the previous episode last year in Nay Pyi Taw.

Thailand had a 3-3 record in this championship, while China left the venue disappointed with the below-par 6th place with 2 wins against 4 losses.

“We are happy because we beat China, one of the Asia’s volleyball powerhouses. I asked my players to fight all-out in this match, playing with hearts and all they had. Their form lived up to my expectation,” Thailand head coach Janewit Ocha-umphawan commented.

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