CHINESE TAIPEI EDGE THAILAND IN 3-2 THRILLER TO GO UP AGAINST UNBEATEN KAZAKHSTAN – Asian Volleyball Confederation

August 2018
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CHINESE TAIPEI EDGE THAILAND IN 3-2 THRILLER TO GO UP AGAINST UNBEATEN KAZAKHSTAN

Taipei, Chinese Taipei, August 11, 2018 – Chinese Taipei pulled off an epic 3-2 (23-25, 25-14, 23-25, 25-14, 15-12) victory over Thailand on day 4 of the 6th AVC Cup for Men at the University of Taipei (Tianmu) Gymnasium on Saturday.

The first set saw both sides come out in full force to win this crucial match for a place to play Kazakhstan in the Monday’s quarter-finals. Due to outstanding blocks, Thailand took the close set 25-23.

Chinese Taipei changed their starting lineup in the second set. With impressive serves by captain Chen Chien-Chen and destructive attacks by substitution Huang Chien-feng, Chinese Taipei started the set with a magic 4-0 profit. Margin was widened continuously to 24-14. Captain Chen Chien-Chen performed a marvelous dig for his teammate to attack and finish the one-sided battle 25-14.

Remaining in red-hot form, Chinese Taipei left Thailand four points behind (8-4) at the first technical timeout in the third set. The Thais swapped the opponent’s reception from the serving line, catching up the host side at 10-10 tie and pulled clear to lead commandingly 24-20. Over 3,000 spectators screamed louder and louder but finished with a pitiful sigh at the end, as their home team organized a crazy comeback to save 3 set points before Thailand won another hard-fought 25-23.

In the crucial fourth set, Chinese Taipei regained their composure and got an early 8-4 lead. Huang Chien-Feng popped out in this set to finish a long rally with a clean block and added to a 11-5 lead with another penetrating spike, forcing Thailand to call a timeout. However, it was too late to reverse the situation. With destructive services, Chinese Taipei widened the margin and took another comfortable set 25-14.

The tie-breaker turned into a tense battle which witnessed both sides fighting it all out. With two winning blocks in a row, Chinese Taipei led 9-7 before Thailand surged ahead with straight three points at 10-9. This see-saw battle then turned clear due to another straight three points won by Chinese Taipei, and they snatched the decider 15-12.

“I am happy that my team won this game. My captain is always a striving player, he and Huang Chien-feng encouraged my players a lot,” commented Chinese Taipei head coach Chen Yu-an.

Liu Hung-min chipped in with a match-high 23 points for Chinese Taipei, supported by Huang Chien-feng, Liu Hung-jie, and Chen Chien-chen, who added 18, 17 and 14 points respectively. Kittikun Sri-utthawong scored a team-high 22 points for Thailand.

With the hard-fought victory, Chinese Taipei will next take on Kazakhstan on Monday, with the winners challenging title-holders Iran in the Tuesday’s semi-finals.

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