Hosts stunned reigning champs Japan 3-2, China demolished first-time semifinalists Vietnam in lopsided affair 3-0
Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, September 5, 2023 – Thailand delighted boisterous home fans after stunning 3-2 upset of defending and consecutive two-time champions Japan to next set up the grand final clash with China in the 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship at Chartchai Hall.
Thailand players hug one another after 3-2 win against Japan
China jump for joy after 3-0 win against Vietnam
The Wednesday’s showdown is not only the fifth time that Thailand have reached in the continent’s biggest women’s volleyball tournament, but also a final rematch with China, the indomitable giants Thailand had beaten in the 2009 showdown in Hanoi, Vietnam for their unprecedented Asian title.
China have sights firmly set on claiming their 14th title in Nakhon Ratchasima. They had already reigned supreme in this top-tier championship for 13 times, but dropped from their best in the last two editions to finish fourth place in 2017 in Philippines and remained in that position in 2019 in Korea.
The Tuesday’s highly-anticipated semifinal clash between world No.8 Japan and world No.14 Thailand saw the former field a formidable team loaded with young talents and experienced players, with skipper Haruyo Shimamura, libero Manami Kojima and middle blocker Mami Yokota joining Japan in the VNL preliminaries early this year and outside hitter Miwako Osanai and Miyu Nakagawa competing in the team which captured the 20th Asian Championship in Korea in 2019 (the 21st edition in Philippines in 2021 was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic).
Thailand also sent a strong team with the likes of outside hitter Ajcharaporn Kongyot, middle blocker Thatdao Nuekjang, libero Piyanut Pannoy and setter Pornpun Guedpard, four of them joined the team which landed the Asian title in 2013 here in Nakhon Ratchasima. Also powering the team are outside hitter Chatchu-On Moksri, opposite hitter Pimpichaya Kokram and middle blocker Hattaya Bumrungsuk, three of them have been playing with the Thailand national team for several years.
Against Japan, one of the strongest teams with the best defense in this topflight championship, Thailand, boosted by more than 4,000 cheering home fans inside the competition venue, struggled hard to pull off dramatic 3-2 (25-23, 19-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-11) win.
Star spiker Chatchu-On Moksri delivered 20 points from 19 attacks and one…
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