The 25-9 25-18 25-21 win over Sichuan put Thailand's Sangsom in pole position in Group A with eight points after four straight wins without dropping a single set.

"I think Sichuan were not at their best," said Thai coach Sutthichai Chanbunchee. "They need time to regain their form. As for my girls, I'm happy with their form. They played a perfect match today, especially their serves.

"We next take on Japan's Toray Arrows in the semi-finals. Although they are not formidable tactically compared with the Chinese, we can't underestimate them. However, I'm convinced that the Japanese team are not too strong for us," he added.

Sichaun's head coach Hu Jin said the Thai girls were the better team yesterday.

"My girls are off-form. The Thai girls deserved the win," said Hu, a former national team head coach.

Elsewhere, Japan's Hitachi came from behind to beat Indonesia's Garuda, while Vietnam's Hanoi downed Taiwan's Chung Shan 3-1.

In today's semi-finals Sangsom take on the Toray Arrows and Hanoi face Sichuan. The other play-offs see Hitachi against Chung Shan, Liaoning challenge India's Chennai, with Garuda taking on Zhetyssu for the ninth place.

Preechachan  Wiriyanupappong

The Nation