Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, September 11, 2022 – In-form Thailand stamped their authority over the 2nd ASEAN Grand Prix Women’s Volleyball Invitation with a perfect sweep in the three-day tournament including a convincing straight-set triumph against SEA Games archrivals Vietnam in their final clash at the Chartchai Hall here on Sunday.
It was a massive match with over 5,000 spectators packing the competition site, while world No.14 and Thailand ended their title defence campaign in the ASEAN Grand Prix with remarkable unbeaten run without dropping a single set to their respective rivals to capture the title for two times in a row.
Thailand, which picked up bronze medal at the AVC Cup for Women two weeks ago in Pasig City, Philippines, claimed their unprecedented title in the inaugural Grand Prix in 2019 which was split into the first leg on home soil at Terminal 21 Hall here and the second leg in Santa Rosa, Philippines. To their name, Thailand won the Vietnam-hosted SEA Games in Quang Ninh in May for consecutive 15 times in SEA Games history.
Against Vietnam, the team they had already beaten for three times this year including the first two in the SEA Games (3-1 in the preliminary match and 3-0 in the final showdown), Thailand were strong with the likes of Pimpichaya Kokram, Ajcharaporn Kongyot and Hattaya Bamrungsuk.
The loud atmosphere inside the packed gymnasium saw the home team, which shut out the Vietnamese in straight sets in the third-place playoff clash at the 2022 AVC Cup for Women in Pasig City two weeks ago, make a strong start to take the thrilling first set 25-19.
Thailand and Vietnam were locked in a very tight contest in the second set. At 9-9, the host side lost hard-attacking Wipawee Srithong, one of their key players, as she suffered from a sprained left ankle and was carried out of the competition court, replaced by another strong player, Sasipaporn Janthawisut.
Still, nothing changed that much in this tough-looking set, with the Thais managing to put more pressure on the opponents and quickly took control to run off with a five-point clear at 18-13, thanks to spectacular attacks from Pimpichaya and Ajcharaporn and impenetrable wall set by captain and setter Pornpun Guedpard and Hattaya. Powerful hitter Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, who stands 193cm tall, tried hard to bring her team back on track, utilising her height advantage to attack effectively at the net. However, the host side defended solidly to foil her determined…
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