Thailand finished its pool play action with back-to-back wins, taking down Chinese Taipei in three sets in Pool B action, 25-20, 25-18, 25-16, Wednesday afternoon at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The win saw the Southeast Asians in second place for now with a 2-1 win-loss record, just below idle Japan (2-0), while the East Asians slipped to 1-2.
Chachu-on Moksri paced the Thais with 16 points on, all coming from attacks, seven of which she poured in the third set. Meanwhile, fellow wing spiker Pimpichaya Kokram added 11 markers, also all from spikes.
Setter and team captain Pornpun Guedpard was just proud of how her squad played in this important match. “We had a good performance in this game because they (Chinese Taipei) also play on a high level. This game, I think, is also a good experience for them.”
Thailand and Chinese Taipei are within striking distance of each other at the onset of the match when the latter’s spiker Tseng Wan-Ling fell awkwardly and had to be attended to. Wu Fang-yu needed to step in her stead.
In the next two frames, Thailand capitalized on the opponents’ errors to jump on early leads before needing to fend off the latter’s runs and clean up its own errors. Eventually, the Danai Sriwacharamaytakul-mentored side found their offensive rhythm to close out the Chinese Taipei side.
Watchareeya Nuanjam provided an option on offense for the 2022 bronze medalists with seven attacks to go with her one block.
“In our Thailand team, we always have a target. When we play for the small points towards a bigger goal. So, when we play, we play point by point. So that every game, we can play to win,” Geudpard said on what they need to do in the next round.
Kan Ko-Hui was a force in the middle for Chinese Taipei on eight attack points. Wu added eight spikes as well.
Both Thailand and Chinese Taipei await the results of both the remaining Pool B match between Japan and Australia for final positions in the pool and the results of the other pool for their respective quarterfinals opponents. The Last Eight matches are on Saturday.
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