Though they still have a group match against China's Sichuan today, Sangsom have progressed after defeating India's Chennai and Japan's Hitachi in earlier matches.

The clash between Sangsom and Sichuan will determine the winners of Group A. The Chinese put it across Chennai 25-21 27-25 25-18.

Against Garuda, hosts Sangsom rested their best players, including Amporn Hyapha, and fielded their reserves.

Sangsom cruised on top of On-uma Sitthirak's powerful jump serves and Patcharee Saengmuang's aggressive cross-court smashes to a 25-6 win in the first set.

Garuda briefly put up a fight but it was not enough to stop the Thais girls, who eventually captured the second set 25-18, the third 25-14.

 "We have yet to lose a single set to any team," Sutthichai, who steered the team to third place in the Asian Women's Club Championship in Manila recently, said.

"I fielded the reserve players and they did not let me down. On occasions the fight was close and I attribute it to the nerves of my girls, who were playing for the first time in the tournament.

"Tomorrow the players have nothing to worry against Sichuan. Their confidence grew significantly during the tournament and I believe they can beat any team in this tournament.

"It will be a tough match, but we are playing in front of our fans and that will be a big factor," he added.

Elsewhere, Vietnamese side Hano came from behind to beat Kazakhstan's Zhetyssu 3-2 (18-25 25-20 18-25 25-22 15-9).

Preechachan Wiriyanupappong

The Nation