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Published on September 11, 2007

The 26-24 25-21 22-25 25-20 triumph meant that the hosts secured a place in the top four of the nine-day, 13-team tournament.

Olympic hosts China and Japan got the nod from the FIVB, world volleyball's governing body, to take part in the World Grand Prix, while Japan as hosts are eligible for the World Olympic Qualification Tourna-ment next May. Besides those two, the top two teams from Asia will gain automatic qualification for those tournaments.

Today, Thailand take on Korea. A win will give them a ticket to another major competition this November - the World Cup in Japan.

In a rematch of the 2005 Manila SEA Games final, Vietnam yesterday started strongly. Strengthened by the presence of hard-hitter Bui Thi Hue and the powerful Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hoa, who won the best scorer and best blocker awards at the Asian Women's Club Championship in Vietnam in June, the Vietnamese led Thailand all the way in the opening set.

But Thailand rebounded to win the see-saw set 26-24 and went on to dominate the second with a 25-21 win.

Vietnam counter-attacked in the third set to win 25-22. The battle gained tempo in the fourth set, with the lead changing hands several times. Leading narrowly 18-17, the hosts stepped up their game to snatch the set 25-20.

"It was a tough match. In some nervy moments, my girls could not score. We have to improve on ball reception and attacking," Thai head coach Nutthapol Srisamutnak said.

In other matches, unbeaten Japan thrashed Australia 3-0 (25-10 25-13 25-12), Korea struggled hard to beat Kazakhstan in a gruelling five sets (26-24 29-31 25-23 19-25 15-11) and Olympic champions China powered past Taiwan 25-11 25-17 25-13.

Preechachan     Wiriyanupappong

 The Nation

Nakhon Ratchasima