FIVB Women's World Championship JAPAN 2018 (AVC) Qualifiers

Thailand recorded their second win at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship Japan 2018 Asian Qualifiers Pool B at the Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium after pulling off a convincing straight-set 25-17 25-17 25-17 victory over Vietnam on Thursday.

Ajcharaporn was the top scorer of Thailand as she scored a match-high 14 points consisting 12 attacks, 1 block and 1 ace. Captain Pleumjit Thinkaow contributed 11 points from 4 attacks, 4 blocks and 3 aces. Le Thanh Thuy led Vietnam with 11 points including 8 kills. Tran Thi Thanh Thuy added 10 points through her powerful attacks.

Thailand, which powered past young Iran in straight sets in their opener on Wednesday, remained strong in their starting line-up which included superstar spiker Pleumjit Thinkaow and three young talents Chatchu-on Moksri, Pimpichaya Kokram and Ajcharaporn Kongyot. The two towers, 190cm Tran Thi Thanh Thuy and 186cm Bui Thi Nga, were the spearheads of Vietnam in their first match on Thursday, fielding all players who competed in the fifth-placed squad at the Asian Senior Women’s Championship in the Philippines last month.

Thailand set an early pace in the opening set, with Chatchu-on and Ajcharaporn pounding the Vietnamese defence with their fierce attacks for the host side’s wide margin 12-6 lead. As the lead was stretched to 18-12, Thailand replaced setter Pornpun Guedpard and Pimpichaya with two veterans and crowd favourites Nootsara Tomkom and Malika Kanthong. Vietnamese Tran Thi Thanh Thuy used her height advantage to overcome the smaller blockers with her attacks, but not enough to outplay the formidable rivals. Thailand clinched the first set 25-17.

Thailand remained in awesome form in the second set, which they led 11-5, thanks to Pleumjit’s well-placed serves and fast attacks which completely foiled the Vietnamese blocking attempts. Holding a 20-12 advantage, Thailand committed several unforced mistakes, allowing the visitors attacking opportunities to trail 17-20. To improve their fortunes, the host side called a time-out and sent in powerful hitter Wilavan Apinyapong. From then, Thailand turned the tables on the visitors, winning straight five points for the convincing 25-17 win in the set.

Hoping for a better form in the third set, Vietnam led narrowly 9-7 before Thailand put their act together and stormed back mightily for the come-from-behind 25-17 win.

Thailand will have a rest day on Friday and will next take on DPR Korea on Saturday, while Vietnam will go up against DPR Korea on Friday.

Thailand head coach Danai Sriwacharamaytakul commented after the match: “My team’s performance is satisfactory today. However, I must praise Vietnam for their improved receiving. We just focussed on our game strategy in an effort of destroying their defence quickly. I think we still have to improve on our combination attacks. If we have good reception, I believe we can effectively match DPR Korea in our next clash.”

Vietnam head coach Japanese Irisawa Hidehiro was not satisfied with his team’s below-par form. “I’m not happy with the performance of middle-blocker Bui Thi Nga as she did not play well. Her form is a far cry from what she had performed superbly in the previous tournaments. Thailand played well up to their standard and deserved the win. We next take on DPR Korea on Friday and hope we can do our best agains the Koreans.”

China defeated hosts Japan 3-1 (25-22, 24-26, 25-18, 25-16) on the concluding match of the 2017 edition of the Women’s World Grand Champions Cup.

China defeated hosts Japan 3-1 (25-22, 24-26, 25-18, 25-16) on the concluding match of the 2017 edition of the Women’s World Grand Champions Cup.

China captain and superstar Zhu Ting commanded the four-set victory against Japan with 26 points. Zhu finished with a total of 100 points to top the scoring charts with 88 attacks, seven blocks and five aces in the 2017 edition.

China have ended their 16-year title drought and have joined Brazil as the only reigning Olympic champions to win the World Grand Champions Cup. They now hold three global volleyball trophies at the same time – 2017 World Grand Champions Cup, 2016 Olympic Games and the 2015 World Cup.

Brazil edged USA 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-19) to claim the silver medal. The South Americans gained the opportunity with their straight-set win to match the win-loss card of USA and earn the three points that put them ahead of their rivals in the final standing. However, USA’s loss still merited a bronze medal.

Russia, which had three losses in the competition, ended their campaign on a high note as they registered a 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-21) win over Korea to finish fourth overall.

Japan dropped to fifth place after their 3-1 loss to China, while the young Korean side finished in last place.

FINAL RANKINGS
1. China
2. Brazil
3. USA
4. Russia
5. Japan
6. Korea

DREAM TEAM
Most Valuable Player: Zhu Ting (CHN)
Best Outside Spikers: Zhu Ting (CHN), Jordan Larson (USA)
Best Middle Blockers: Ana Carolina Da Silva (BRA), Yuan Xinyue (CHN)
Best Setter: Koyomi Tominaga (JPN)
Best Opposite Spiker: Tandara Caixeta (BRA)
Best Libero: Kotoe Inoue (JPN)

Top Scorer by Day
28 – Tandara Caixeta of Brazil v Russia on September 5
33 – Zhu Ting of China v Brazil on September 6
27 – Nataliya Goncharova of Russia v USA on September 8
22 – Andrea Drews of USA v Japan on September 9
26 – Zhu Ting of China v Japan on September 10

Top Scoring Performances
33 – Zhu Ting of China v Brazil on September 6
28 – Tandara Caixeta of Brazil v Russia on September 5
27 – Nataliya Goncharova of Russia v USA on September 8
26 – Zhu Ting of China v Japan on September 10
22 – Andrea Drews of USA v Japan on September 9

Top Individual Serving Performances
4 – Mariia Frolova of Russia v USA on September 8
4 – Kimberly Hill of USA on September 8
4 – Koyomi Tominaga of Japan v Russia on September 6
4 – Tandara Caixeta of Brazil v Russia on September 5

Top Team Serving Performances
11 – Brazil v Russia on September 5
11 – USA v Russia on September 8
9 – Japan v Russia on September 6

Top Individual Blocking Performances
7 – Irina Filishtinskaia of Russia v Japan on September 6
6 – Erika Araki of Japan v Brazil on September 8
6 – Ana Carolina Da Silva of Brazil v Russia on September 5
5 – Ana Carolina Da Silva of Brazil v China on September 6
5 – Ana Beatriz Correa of Brazil v China on September 6
5 – Ana Beatriz Correa of Brazil v Russia on September 5

Top Team Blocking Performances
18 – Brazil v Russia on September 5
17 – USA v Japan on September 9
17 – Russia v Japan on September 6
16 – Russia v USA on September 8
16 – Brazil v China on September 6

Highest Scoring Sets
28-26 – Japan v USA on September 9
28-26 – Russia v Japan on September 6
27-25 – Brazil v Japan on September 8
26-24 – Japan v China on September 10
26-24 – Japan v Korea on September 5

Highest Scoring Matches
230 – Japan v USA 2-3 (22-25, 25-21, 28-26, 21-25, 12-15) on September 9
211 – Brazil v China 2-3 (20-25, 12-25, 25-20, 25-23, 17-19) on September 6
208 – USA v Russia 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-21, 15-9) on September 8
181 – China v Japan 3-1 (25-22, 24-26, 25-18, 25-16) on September 10
175 – Russia v Brazil 1-3 (17-25, 25-23, 23-25, 12-25) on September 5

Japan underlined their supremacy over the SMM 19th Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship after an incredible come-from-behind 3-2 (26-28 20-25 25-16 25-16 15-7) victory over Thailand in the final showdown at the Alonte Sports Arena

Japan have already captured the Asian title for three times in 1975 in Melbourne, Australia, 1983 at home in Fukuoka, and 2007 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. The Japanese were on cloud nine on Thursday as they sealed their fourth Asian Senior Women’s crown with remarkable unbeaten record aside from helping make Japan a clean sweep of both men’s and women’s events contested this year. The Asian Senior Men’s Championship ended on August 1 in Surabaya, Indonesia, with Japan powering past Kazakhstan in the final clash to reign supreme.

The Thursday’s win stretched the Japan’s invincibility over Thailand to four in a row including two at the recent World Grand Prix. In this top-tier competition earlier, Thailand went down to the same rivals in the top 8 playoff match.

Thailand, which have already won the Asian title twice in 2009 in Hanoi, Vietnam and in 2013 on their home soil in Nakhon Ratchasima, also had their sights firmly set on their third Asian crown, heading the final showdown on high note with a stunning straight-set win over the Incheon Asian Games winners Korea in the semi-finals.

“I’m very happy that we eventually won. It was a very tough match against Thailand. They performed exceptionally well in the first two sets. We tried to read their tactics and play our game. Fortunately, we came back fast in the third set. After winning that set, my players started confidently in the following sets and when Thailand made too many mistakes, we then had a chance. However, despite the victory, I think Thailand are coming very strong this time with their young, potential players,” Japan head coach Kumi Nakada said in an interview through a translator after the awards presentation and closing ceremony.

At the previous Asian meet two years ago, Japan, sending second-string to the top-tier competition, left Tianjin, China with their heads low in disappointment after a sixth-place finish out there.

Earlier, Korea had to be content with the bronze medal after venting out their frustration on dethroned champion China 25-11, 25-18, 25-20. China, defending and 13-time Asian winners, sent a strong squad of young bloods this time, said China head coach Bao Zhuang, because their national players and famous Chinese spikers are preparing for the 13th China National Games later this month.

Korea have never won the Asian title since they made their debut appearance at the inaugural Asian Championship in Melbourne, Australia in 1975. They have entered seven finals, but lost them all. This included the 2015 edition in Tianjin, where they went down to hosts China in the showdown.

“We are disappointed with the loss to Thailand in the semi-finals on Wednesday, but we are happy that we beat China for the bronze medal. Actually, we had a tight schedule before competing in this championship. We contested the World Grand Prix ahead of coming to Manila and there are so many young players in our team. One key player in our team also got a back injury. I think the young players in our team learned a lot from this tournament. After this, we will train more for the World Championship Qualification in Thailand and hope to do our best there,” Kim Yeon Koung said in an interview.

Vietnam maintained their fifth position achieved in Tianjin two years ago after cruising past Chinese Taipei 25-23 25-22 25-23 in the 5th-6th playoff, while Kazakhstan also returned with the similar seventh place they finished in Tianjin. The Kazakh side struggled to beat hosts Philippines in hard-fought five-setter 25-20 25-16 21-25 21-25 15-3 in the 7th-8th playoff encounter.

THURSDAY’S FINAL RESULTS

At the Alonte Sports Arena

Playoffs

7th-8th: Kazakhstan b Philippines 3-2 (25-20 25-16 21-25 21-25 15-3)

5th-6th: Vietnam b Chinese Taipei 3-0 (25-23 25-22 25-23)

Bronze-medal match: Korea b China 3-0 (25-11 25-18 25-20)

Championship match: Japan b Thailand 3-2 (26-28 20-25 25-16 25-16 15-7)

FINAL RANKINGS

1. Japan

2. Thailand

3. Korea

4. China

5. Vietnam

6. Chinese Taipei

7. Kazakhstan

8. Philippines

9. Iran

10. Australia

11. Hong Kong

12. New Zealand

13. Sri Lanka

14. Maldives

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

First Best Outside Spiker: Kim Yeon Koung (Korea No.10)

Second Best Outside Spiker: Chatchu-on Moksri (Thailand No.19)

First Best Middle Blocker: Hattaya Bamrungsuk (Thailand No.7)

Second Best Middle Blocker: Nana Iwasaka (Japan No.3)

Best Opposite Spiker: Jin Ye (China No.9)

Best Setter: Nootsara Tomkom (Thailand No.13)

First Best Libero: Mako Kobata (Japan No.29)

Second Best Libero: Dawn Nicole Macandili (Philippines No.15)

Most Valuable Player: Risa Shinnabe (Japan No.4)

2018 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship qualification (AVC) POOL B(THAILAND) Scheduled to be held at Venue: Thailand Nakhon Pathom Sports Center Gymnasium, Nakhon Pathom Dates: 20–24 September 2017

Hosts Indonesia produced a fantastic comeback 3-2 (24-26 14-25 25-20 25-21 15-11) victory over Qatar to join Kazakhstan, Iran, Chinese Taipei, Korea, Japan, Australia and China to the top eight teams at the SMM 19th Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship

Contesting their last Pool A encounter against Qatar at the Tri Dharma Petrokimia Gymnasium, Indonesia shrugged off their dismal start of losing two sets in a row 24-26 14-25 to regain their poise and fight back to take the remaining three sets 25-20 25-21 15-11.

Rendy Febriant Tamamilang scored a team-high 23 points for the host side including 19 kills from 38 attempts and 3 aces. Rivan Nurmulki contributed similar 19 kills plus 3 solid blocks, while Bojan Dukic led Qatar with 18 points. Digne Papemaguette added 10 kills and 5 kill blocks.

Another Pool A match on Wednesday saw Kazakhstan maintain their unbeaten record following their sensational 25-13 25-22 25-17 win over Saudi Arabia.

Former successive two-time champions Iran, fielding a U23 squad in their final preparation for the next month’s FIVB Volleyball Men’s U23 World Championship in Cairo, Egypt, had a perfect run in Pool B after not losing a set to their respective opponents. Iran ended their preliminary match with a bang by beating Chinese Taipei, whose team members competed with the 2015 Asian Club winning-Taichung Bank, in straight sets 25-20 30-28 25-21.

“I think we played a good match against a strong team like Chinese Taipei. Winning 3-0 is very important for us and we will try to keep winning in our next matches. We next play China, one of the strongest teams in Asia with an excellent coach Raul Lozano, and Australia, the team which have already qualified for the World Championship. Both teams are of course strong for us to be reckoned with. For us, it’s important to gain competition experience ahead of the Men’s U23 World Championship. The key point of our success is that we attacked and served well,” Iran’s Argentine head coach Juan Manuel Cichello commented after the match.

In the other Pool B clash, Pakistan put it past Iraq in dramatic four-setter 26-24 25-17 17-25 25-22.

In Pool C, both matches played tough five sets on Wednesday. Korea pulled off a stunning 25-22 21-25 17-25 25-18 15-9 win over defending and eight-time winners Japan, with Vietnam powering past Sri Lanka 25-19 16-25 25-21 20-25 15-9.

Another surprise win came from Pool D, where Australia survived a scare from China after a 3-0 (26-24 25-13 25-23) rout of the 2015 bronze medallists.

“It was not a surprise win against China because it was what we worked for. We played China twice in the World League Group 2 and we beat them in the first meet in straight sets and lost the second one 1-3. I think it was our team’s good chance to win today. Winning 3-0 is a small surprise, but I’m happy because this win carries us to the next round. It’s important for us,” Australia’s head coach Mark Lebedew commented after the match against China.

“Next we play Chinese Taipei and then Iran. We played Chinese Taipei one week ago at the World Championship AVC Qualifier Pool B, 3-0 for us, but every set was difficult and it was a really hard match. So, tomorrow will be a hard match for us also. But we are in really good conditions. We have a strong team that we can play everyday. Yesterday, Thomas Hodges scored 22 points and today, Williams Lincoln scored 16 points, so, we are lucky in this way that we can manage team as well as our good performance.”

Thailand struggled to hit form in the same pool, recovering from one-set loss to breeze past Hong Kong in a four-set battle which ended 23-25 25-8 25-19 25-21 in favour of the Thai team.

At the end of the pool round-robin preliminaries on Wednesday, Kazakhstan captured the top spot in Pool A with 7 points from successive three wins, followed by hosts Indonesia with 6 points from 2 wins against 1 loss. Qatar and Saudi Arabia finished third and fourth places respectively.

The Pool B honours went to Iran with a clean sweep and 9 points. Chinese Taipei had 6 points from two wins against one loss. Pakistan and Iraq collected 3 and no point respectively.

Korea won Pool C with 8 points from straight three wins, while title-holders Japan came in second place with 7 points. Pakistan and Iraq were placed third and fourth, while promising Australia claimed Pool D with 8 points from straight three wins. China, Thailand and Hong Kong finished second, third and fourth places with 6, 4, 0 point respectively.

Playoffs for top-8 teams and 9th-16th are being held from July 27 to 29, with Friday, July 28 will be the rest day.

Wednesday’s results
Pool round-robin preliminaries
Pool A
Indonesia b Qatar 3-2 (24-26 14-25 25-20 25-21 15-11)
Kazakhstan b Saudi Arabia 3-0 (25-13 25-22 25-17)

Pool B
Iran b Chinese Taipei 3-0 (25-20 30-28 25-21)
Pakistan b Iraq 3-1 (26-24 25-17 17-25 25-22)

Pool C
Korea b Japan 3-2 (25-22 21-25 17-25 25-18 15-9)
Vietnam b Sri Lanka 3-2 (25-19 16-25 25-21 20-25 15-9)

Pool D
Australia b China 3-0 (26-24 25-13 25-23)
Thailand b Hong Kong 3-1 (23-25 25-8 25-19 25-21)

Rankings after end of preliminaries
Pool A: 1. Kazakhstan; 2. Indonesia; 3. Qatar; 4. Saudi Arabia
Pool B: 1. Iran; 2. Chinese Taipei; 3. Pakistan; 4. Iraq
Pool C: 1. Korea; 2. Japan; 3. Vietnam; 4. Sri Lanka
Pool D: 1. Australia; 2. China; 3. Thailand; 4. Hong Kong

Match schedule
At the Tri Dharma Petrokimia Gymnasium
11.30am: 1D-Australia v 2B-Chinese Taipei
14.00pm: 1B-Iran v 2D-China
16.30pm: 1A-Kazakhstan v 2C-Japan
19.00pm: 1C-Korea v 2A-Indonesia

At the Wahana Ekspresi Poesponegoro Gymnasium
11.30am: 3A-Qatar v 4C-Sri Lanka
14.00pm: 3B-Pakistan v 4D-Hong Kong
16.30pm: 3C-Vietnam v 4A-Saudi Arabia
19.00pm: 3D-Thailand v 4B-Iraq

FIVB World Grand Prix gets underway in Bangkok as Thailand,Italy,Turkey and Dominican Republic would battle for the honours for Pool H1.

FIVB World Grand Prix gets underway at Hua Mak stadium in Bangkok as 4 teams battle it out for supremacy in the major International event.Host Thailand will be playing against Dominican Republic while Italy clashes against Turkey in the tournament opener the event that would span out over July 21-23,2017

In the opening game Italy and Turkey went head to head as both teams went neck to neck till first technical time out.Around 12 point mark Italy broke away with the lead by 17-12 with strong spikes and good blocking from it's towering power.Turkey got a couple of close decisions against their favour as Turkey were successful in one out of their three challenges.Eventually conceding the set by 17-25In the second set, both team went for the glory as Italy lead 8-7 at the first technical timeout and stretched the lead to 12-9 but Turkey managed to pull back and tied the score at 12-12 as Italy Coach Davide Mazzanti was forced to take a time out to break the rhythm of Turkey.After the break Italy looked stronger and managed a slender lead by 16-13 at the second technical timeout.But Turkey made it 16-19   as the spikers upped the ante in the later half of the set forcing Italy to take a time out to re organize their blocking.But Turkey brought their A-game in second set as they rallied to win the second set by 20-25 margin.In the third both teams were tied at 19-19 though Turkey looked the stronger side.But on the last few points Italy managed to break a lead by good tactical play to lead by 19-21 margin and eventually winning the set by 21-25 margin to take a crucial 2-1 lead.In third set Turkey managed to lead by 14-16 at the second technical timeout but eventually Italy winning by 25-21 followed by a marathon 4th set to beat Turkey by 32-30 in a game that lasted over 2 hours.

In the second game host,Thailand took on Dominican Republic at the full capacity Hua Mak Indoor Stadium as the local favourites looked to start tournament with a bang.In the first set Thailand started strong with two back to back aces to lead 8-4 at the first technical time out as the the crowd buzzed cheering the home team.Thailand kept the momentum going and the spikers were on their mark while the blockers were blocking most spikes from Dominican attack line to lead 16-12 at the 2nd technical time out and rallying onto winning the first set by 17-25 margin.
In the second set Thailand raced to 5-1 lead owing to some clinical spiking and aces dished out the Dominican receivers.Thailand took lead of 8-5 at first technical time  out but Dominican republic pulled back to level scores at 8-8.Dominican Republic shrugged of their initial nervous moments as they got a grip of the game to lead 16-13 at second technical time out. Thailand surged for a late come back with some crucial points and trailed 19-23 and eventually conceded the set by 21-25 points.
In the third set, a close battle saw Dominican republic leading by a point to head into first technical time out 8-7 and leading 16-14 at the second technical timeout.Thailand came back strong after the time out and spikes and stretched the Dominican receiving line to lead 20-17 but Thailand played out of their skin to pull off an amazing 26-24 margin victory to make it 2-1 at the end of third set.
Going in with the momentum in the fourth set,Thailand were rattled by some good court play off the court as Dominican forwards as the stronger spikers smashed out the initial exchange to lead by 13-8 in the fourth set but Thailand crawled back into the game winning few strong points to reduce the deficit to 16-13 at the second Technical time out.At one stage Thailand looked they could seal the match as they tied at 19-19 in a good passage of play but eventually The stronger Dominican players stretched the Thailand back-line to win the set 21-25.
In the final set Dominican republic started strong to lead 4-8 at changeover. Domincan used their height and reach and the setter combined well with spikers to win the final set by a comfortable 15-7 margin to  win the match by 3-2 margin.

FINAL TEAM RANKINGS of 2nd Asian Womens U23 Volleyball Championship

FINAL TEAM RANKINGS of 2nd Asian Womens U23 Volleyball Championship
1. Japan – qualified for 2017 World Championship
2. Thailand – qualified for 2017 World Championship
3. Vietnam
4. Chinese Taipei
5. Kazakhstan
6. Hong Kong
7. Malaysia
8. Iran
9. Uzbekistan
10. Australia
11. New Zealand
12. Sri Lanka
13. Macao
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Best Outside Spikers
1. Chatchu-on Moksri (No.19 Thailand)
2. Tran Thi Thanh Thuy (No.3 Vietnam)
Best Setter
Miki Sakurai (No.8 Japan)
Best Opposite Spiker
Pimpichaya Kokram (No.12 Thailand)
Best Middle Blockers
1. Ayaka Sugi (No.3 Japan)
2. Hathairat Jarat (No.4 Thailand)
Best Libero
Lai Xiang-Chen (No.1 Chinese Taipei)
Most Valuable Player
Misaki Yamauchi (No.1 Japan)