Japan-Thailand
Japan, disappointed by a bitter 1-3 loss to China in the semi-finals on the previous day, played exceptionally well to take the first set 25-22 before the host side hit back gallantly to snatch the second set 25-20.
Cheered on by a noisy drum-beating, screaming home fans, Thailand continued their consistent play to bag the close third set 25-23 to hold a 2-1 advantage.
It was apparent that the Japanese might have plenty of individual talents in their squad and were just never-say-die. They mixed the offensive mobility of Yuki Yamagami’s solid blocking and devastating spikes by Momoka Oda and Aya Horie to take the remaining two sets 25-18 15-11. The hard-fought win gave Japan an opportunity to maintain their third place achieved in the previous edition two years ago in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Momoka Oda led Japan with 20 points, while Kuttika Kaewpin scored the highest 17 points for Thailand.
“Despite the loss, I’m happy with my team’s form. We played much better than the previous two matches against India and Chinese Taipei. We still have many things to improve, especially our setter and the poor reception. Despite a failure to make it to the final, we feel happy that our target in this championship was fulfilled – to finish among top four and win a berth for the next year’s world meet,” said Thai head coach Nathapon Srisamutnak.
Meanwhile, the playoffs at the Ratchaburi Gymnasium saw Korea, runners-up to the eventual winners China in the previous episode, thrash India in straight sets 25-23, 25-12, 25-19 to clinch the fifth spot in this championship, while the seventh position went to Kazakhstan following the dramatic 3-2 (23-25, 25-19, 19-25 ,27-25, 16-14) win in the closely-contested clash.
Results
7th-8th place playoff: Kazakhstan bt Iran 3-2 (23-25, 25-19,9-25, 27-25, 16-14)
5th-6th place playoff: Korea bt India 3-0 (25-23, 25-12, 25-19)
Third-place playoff: Japan bt Thailand 3-2 (25-22, 20-25, 23-25, 25-18, 15-11)
Championship match: China bt Chinese Taipei 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-9)
Team ranking
1. China
2. Chinese Taipei
3. Japan
4. Thailand
5. Korea
6. India
7. Kazakhstan
8. Iran
9. Australia
10. Vietnam
11. Hong Kong
12. New Zealand
13. Sri Lanka
14. Mongolia
15. Turkmenistan
16. Kuwait
Individual Awards
Best Spiker: Lee Yu, Chinese Taipei
Best Blocker: Zheng Yixin, China
Best Server: Tang Ningya, China
Best Setter: Yuki Yamagami, Japan
Best Scorer: Kuttika Kaewpin, Thailand
Best Libero: Huang Shih-Ting, Chinese Taipei
MVP: Zhu Ting, China
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