• 
• 

Published on July 21, 2007

Buoyed by a large crowd of cheering home fans, the Thais played well to win the first set without much trouble 25-18. Hard-hitter Sirintra Srisuma was in awesome form in the second set as she spiked spectacularly and produced several terrific serves to help her side take the hard-fought second set 25-23.

The home team still gained the upper hand in the third set, where they led 5-2 and stretched it to 22-11. Egypt poured in everything in an effort to catch up with the Thai girls, but their determined attempts were in vain. Thailand won the set 25-12 and the match.

Thai head coach Banjong Sombat said, "I think my girls played nervously. It might be because they are playing at home. However, I hope our next match will be much better than this.

"It's going to be tough, when we face China tomorrow. They are tall and fast, we have to rely on our speed. Last year, we lost to them in straight sets in the Asian Championship."

Egyptian head coach Badrawy Hesham commented, "Thailand played very well. I'm not happy with my team's form."

Elsewhere, Germany beat USA 3-1 (25-27 25-14 18-25 21-25 ), Japan stunned Ukraine 3-2 (25-23 25-19 17-25 20-25 16-14), and Brazil downed Croatia 3-1 (25-20 17-25 25-17 25-12).

Preechachan  Wiriyanupappong 

The Nation

Nakhon Ratchasima