Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, September 4, 2023 – China will face off against Vietnam and Thailand set up 2013, 2017, 2019 final rematch with Japan on Tuesday as the highly-anticipated semifinals have been confirmed for the ongoing 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship at Chartchai Hall and The Mall Korat’s MCC Hall.
China’s Wu Mengjie spikes past Japanese blockers
It has been cleared since the start of the Monday’s Top 8 fixtures that four teams have already made the cut for the semifinals following the unbeaten runs of hosts Thailand and Vietnam in Pool E and China and Japan in Pool F. The Top 8 encounters on Monday were to determine the Pool E and Pool F winners.
Thailand face strong challenge against Vietnam
With the Vietnamese making their presence felt on the unprecedented journey, this will be for the first time in this topflight championship that Vietnam, which made their debut effort in the Bangkok-hosted 6th edition in 1991, will finish among Top 4 in the continent’s biggest women’s volleyball tournament.
On Monday, the final day of the round of Top 8, Thailand powered past Vietnam with comeback 3-1 win to top Pool E, with embattled China stunning defending and consecutive two-time champions Japan with epic tie-break 3-2 win to capture the top spot in Pool F.
Current world No.14 Thailand, seeking their third Asian title on home soil after they had captured the first two in 2009 and 2013, lost the closely-contested first set 23-25, but bounced back to win the next three sets 25-14, 25-19, 25-23.
Chatchu-On
Outside hitters Chutchu-On Moksri and Ajcharaporn Kongyot scored 15 points apiece for Thailand, while opposite hitter Pimpichayakorn Kokram added another 13 points. Rookie Vi Thi Nhu Quynh, 21, the youngest player in the Vietnamese team, delivered 20 points including 18 attacks from 56 attempts.
Vi Thi Nhu Quynh attacks Thailand
“A tough test awaits us in the semifinals as we will next play Japan, one of the strongest teams in this championship. The Japanese have very good defense with excellent teamwork and high-speed game. They almost beat China in their match this afternoon. So, we have to be well-prepared to play the Japanese. We still need corrections for some mistakes and weak points we have made in our previous matches. However, I hope that my team will do their best in the tough match against Japan on Tuesday,” Thailand head coach Danai Sriwacharamaytakul commented.
The other Pool E match saw world…
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