2006 Men’s World Championship – Thailand
Hosts make perfect start (FIVB)
05/20/2005
Ratchaburi,
Thailand, May 20, 2005 - In-form Thailand pulled off a
dramatic straight-sets 25-21 25-23 25-19 victory over
the less-experienced Uzbekistan side in the
curtain-raiser of the World Men's Volleyball
Championship first round tournament – Asia Pool B at the
Ratchaburi Gymnasium in Ratchaburi on Friday.
Thailand, who fielded a mixture of young blood and
veterans led by Supachai Jitrjumroon, got off to a
brilliant start after powerful Suphachai Sriphum
produced several devastating cross-court spikes to help
the home side take a 10-7 lead in the opening set. Pic: Thailand on attack against Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan, whose height average is 201cm against the
rivals' 188cm, bounced back to tie the score at 11-11,
thanks to spectacular spikes from Andrey Plctnir.
However, they lost their touch temporarily to allow the
Thais many scoring chances. Sriphum overpowered the
taller blockers with his exceptional spikes, while
Yuttana Khiewpekar produced well-placed serves to help
the home team take the first set 25-21.
The visitors challenged aggressively with an all-out
effort of making amends in the second set. Their greater
determination saw them lead initially 5-3 before
Thailand stormed back mightily with deceptive smashes
and drops to tie the score, again at 11-11 before
narrowly stretching it to 18-17.
With the rivals hot on their heels, Thailand regrouped
and started to produce the goods, with Sriphum piercing
the visitors' defence with his fierce attacks to win the
hard-fought set 25-23.
Their confidence going sky-high after winning two
straight sets, Thailand still dominated the third set.
They launched wave after wave of attack, powerful jump
serves and efficient drops which foiled the oppositions'
attempts to fight back. As expected, the hosts captured
the set 25-19 and the match.
"It's not as tough as we earlier expected,” Thai head
coach Sophon Phanulawan said. “We had no pressure taking
them on. I think we played according to plan and this is
the key to today's success. However, we still have to
improve on our serving and blocking. Against Afghanistan
on Saturday, I think we can still be confident of
claiming another win."
Uzbekistan's head coach Garri Bagirov expressed his
dissatisfaction over his team's performance, but claimed
that his team did not have enough training in
preparation for the three-day meet. "I think we played
much below par. Everyone did not play well. I think this
might be caused by insufficient training. It took my
players too many weeks to join the team and train
together.”
On Saturday, Thailand will go up against Afghanistan on
their second and final match of the tournament.
