Thailand’s gamely fight ends in defeat against Belgium
>> Thailand ended the league rounds of the inaugural FIVB Women’s Nations League with a ninth straight defeat on Thursday.
The team went down to Belgium 3-1 (26-24, 23-25, 25-19, 25-21) in the final Pool 19 game in Eboli, Italy, to end the campaign in 15th place in the 16-team tournament.
Thailand recorded just two victories against 13 losses. They lost all the games in their two home legs in Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima. Their hopes to salvage some pride in the fifth and final week never materialised against the likes of Brazil and hosts Italy as they lost all the games in Pool 19.
The top-five teams — the United States, Serbia, Brazil, Netherlands and Turkey — join hosts China in the final round in Nanjing, starting next Wednesday.
China, with seven wins and eight losses, finished ninth overall after five weeks of pool action — the best among the four Asian teams. Japan (7-8) were 10th while South Korea (5-10) finished 12th.
Britt Herbots top-scored with 23 points, including three aces and two blocks, for Belgium, while Marlies Janssens also had a starring role with 16 points.
Chatchu-On Moksri and Ajcharaporn Kongyot had an impressive game for Thailand with 20 and 17 points respectively.
The pair drove Thailand through two hours of a nip-and-tuck battle with some fantastic performances, which, however, proved insufficient for a victory.
Each of the four sets was a rollercoaster ride with big swings in the scoreline and either side potentially able to win it. It was Belgium that proved more focused in the conclusive moments that decided the outcome and won the match tying the head-to-head record with Thailand at one victory apiece.
Belgium completed their campaign with four wins out of 15 matches and a 13th-place finish.
The FIVB Nations League has replaced the former World Grand Prix in the international calendar.