[VOLLEYBALL] Head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai's promise to steer Thailand to a topfour finish in the US$1m FIVB World Grand Champions Cup at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gym has turned out to be a mirage as his lost in a humiliating fashion to hosts Japan.
The bitter 2521 2518 2512 loss to Japan, the team they had beaten 31 in the semifinals of the Asian Championship in Hanoi a couple of months ago, sunk Thailand further down as it was their third consecutive defeat. Thailand performance so far has been the worst among the six participating teams. They failed to win a single set in the three matches they had contested.
Against world No 7 yesterday, Asian champions Thailand fared well in the first set. However, cheered on by a large number of home fans at the packed venue, Japan played with confidence to clinch the seesaw battle. Thailand tried hard to come back in the second and third sets, but their determined attempts were to no avail. Japan stormed on to win both sets and the match.
Earlier, Brazil, the Beijing Olympic gold medallists, world No 1 and reigning champions, and twotime European winners Italy maintained their unbeaten streak in the tournament. The indomitable Brazilians crushed wildcard South Korea 30 (2826 2517 2515), while Italy brushed off Norceca champions Dominican Republic 30 (2519 2518 2520).
After three matches, Brazil and Italy shared six points, but the former had the better points ratio to capture the pole position. Italy are trailing in second place, with Japan and Dominican Republic in third and fourth places respectively. South Korea and Thailand are the two winless teams to trail in fifth and sixth positions.
All participating teams today leave for Fukuoka, where the remaining matches will be played at Marine Messe Fukuoka. Tomorrow, Thailand will take on South Korea, Brazil play Italy and Japan meet the Dominicans. On November 15, Thailand will go up against Brazil, with Japan taking on Italy and South Korea challenging Dominican Republic.