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Published on July 23, 2007

Hard-hitting Sirintra Srisuma, who led the team with 20 points including 19 kills from 37 attempts, attacked fiercely at the net to help Thailand lead 7-5 initially.

But the tall and towering Americans clawed their way back to level at 10-10 before surging ahead 16-12. The US clinched the first set 25-20.

The visitors made the most of their height advantage to attack devastatingly in the following two sets, which they won 25-18 25-19 and the match.

Thai head coach Banjong Sombat said: "I'm quite happy with my girls' performance.

"Despite the loss, I think they did their best. The next match against Germany should be one of the toughest matches. The Germans serve well and attack hard. We have only two matches to go, including one against the Dominican Republic. We have to beat them in our last match tomorrow to keep our hopes alive of finishing at least ninth."

Meanwhile, Brazil and China remained the only two teams unbeaten. Brazil yesterday powered past Ukraine 3-1 (25-20 19-25 25-18 25-19), while Asian champions China beat Germany 3-1 (25-21 25-22 23-25 25-16). In other matches, Japan stunned Italy 3-2 (27-25 22-25 25-23 16-25 15-9) and Egypt scored over the Dominican Republic 3-1 (25-22 25-18 23-25 25-22).

Preechachan Wiriyanupappong

The Nation

Nakhon Ratchasima