Thai aces in sight of 2nd round spot
Pimpichaya injured in big victory at worlds
Thailand closed in on a second-round berth at the FIVB women’s world championship after beating Trinidad and Tobago 3-1 in Japan yesterday.
The team, led by captain Pleumjit Thinkaow, won 25-12, 25-17, 23-25, 25-11 at Kobe Green Arena to claim their second win in Pool C. Thailand beat South Korea 3-2 in the first game on Saturday and lost to Russia 2-3 on Sunday.
Thailand (2-1) are third in the standings with six points from three matches. Defending champions United States (3-0), who beat South Korea 3-1 yesterday, are top with a maximum nine points, followed by Russia (3-0) on eight.
Fourth-placed Azerbaijan (1-2), who lost to Russia yesterday, have three while winless South Korea have just one point.
A win for Russia in today’s match against South Korea, which will be played before Thailand’s game against the US, will guarantee the Kingdom’s stars a place in the second round.
Both the US and Russia have already qualified following yesterday’s victories.
It was a true team effort by the Thais, who had 17 points each from middle blocker Thatdao Nuekjang with nine spikes and four blocks and aces, and Ajcharaporn Kongyot, who led the attack with 16 spikes.
Trinidad and Tobago’s top scorer was Krystele Esdelle with 15 points, while Channon Thompson and Sinead Jack had 14 each.
However, the Thai victory was marred by Pimpichaya Kokram’s injury. The 20-yearold outside hitter, who has had an impressive tournament so far, was carried off the court late in the third set. After the match, Pimpichaya was seen leaving the arena in a wheelchair with her right knee heavily strapped.
“It was a tough game because the Trinidad and Tobago players have a big physique and are very tall and strong,” said Thailand coach Danai Sriwachamaytakul.
“Our defence found it hard against their attack. But after the third set I thought Trinidad and Tobago looked a bit tired.”
The coach, however, played down Pimpichaya’s injury worries. “We don’t
think it looks serious,” he said.
Captain Pleumjit said: “It was a very difficult game because Trinidad and Tobago have a lot of physical strength and a lot of height in the team.
“Sometimes we found it very difficult to hit spikes because of their high block
system. In the fourth set we could find our own style again.”
The Americans dropped their first set of the tournament but rallied to beat South Korea 3-1 (19-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-18) in the day’s final Pool C match last night.
Earlier, Russia brushed aside Azerbaijan
3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-22).
Workpoint (23) will broadcast the Thailand v United States game live at 5.20pm today.