Tokyo, Japan, May 20, 2016 - The big question was how would Thailand respond to the disappointment of Wednesday night, when they threw away what should have been an unbeatable lead to lose to Japan 2-3.
The first few points indicated it might be a tough task to bounce back, but then the team clicked and returned to the fluency in the earlier tournament.
Coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai once again preferred Pornpun Guedpard to regular setter Nootsara Tomkom but brought opposite Ajcharaporn Kongyot back after consigning her to the bench for most of Wednesday night.
Kazakhstan also brought back their big guns after resting them against Korea on Wednesday, including captain Radmila Beresneva and Kristina Anikonova, but after matching their Thai opponents early, found the going tough, losing the set 25-18.
Kazakhstan started the second set with much more vigour, leading 10-9 at one stage, but then gave up seven consecutive points to trail 10-16 and give up the set.
Nootsara was back for Thailand, and Ajcharaporn was doing her best to prove she belongs on the court always. Kazakhstan was blocking and setting well, but Thailand was proving too quick for the much taller opponents.
Kazakhstan, with their slim chance of Olympic qualification slipping away, put everything into the start of the final set, opening up a 5-2 lead. But once again they were unable to maintain the pressure, and with Thai libero Piyanut Pannoy continuing her outstanding tournament, Thailand were soon back in control, 9-8.
As reality dawned on Kazakhstan the set and the match began to peter out, Thailand eventually won 25-18, 25-19, 25-15, keeping their hopes of qualifying for a first-ever Olympics alive.
Kazakhstan will need to wait another four years to try again. The team have shown they have a solid defence, with their blocking as good as any team competing in Japan this week.
While still winless after five matches, the young and inexperienced team have shown they have the foundations to build themselves into a stronger team for the future.
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