Thailand, Vietnam to renew rivalry in opening clash

The biennial tournament has attracted a total of 15 teams to vie for the eventual Asian title and the top two teams which will represent the continent at the next year’s FIVB Women’s U20 Volleyball World Championship in Mexico.

 

Hosts Thailand, Vietnam and Sri Lanka are in Pool A, while Pool B features Hong Kong, New Zealand, title-holders China and Kazakhstan. Pool C comprises Macao, Iran, Japan and India, with Korea, Taiwan, Australia and the Philippines in Pool D.

 

The group round-robin preliminaries will take place from July 23 to 25 in two venues - The Mall Nakhon Ratchasima’s MCC Hall and the Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University Gymnasium.

 

On Saturday, at the MCC Hall, New Zealand will open their campaign against China at 2pm, followed by the match between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan and Thailand against Vietnam. The opening match at the Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University Gymnasium will see Macao pitted against India at 12pm, followed by the match between Iran and Japan, Taiwan against Australia and Korea against the Philippines.

 

Since the tournament’s inauguration in 1980, Thailand have never reigned supreme in this championship. Their best result came in 2002 when they took silver medal after going down to eventual winners China in the final showdown. At the previous edition two years ago in Taipei, China captured their 11th title after powering past Japan 3-1 in the final clash, while Korea narrowly beat Thailand 3-2 in the third-place playoff.

 

Hosts Thailand are strong with the likes of Pimpichaya Kokram and Chutchu-on Moksri, both of whom joined the Thailand national senior team at the recent FIVB World Grand Prix, and are expected to make their mark in front of home fans at the top-flight competition.

 

The general technical meeting was due to be held on Friday evening, followed by the opening ceremony and the welcome party at Sima Thani Hotel 

 

The group round-robin preliminaries takes place on Saturday and after the three-day first round, top two teams from each pool will advance to the last eight teams, which will be divided into four apiece to compete in Pool E and Pool F. 

 

Teams will contest the pool round-robin event and will be ranked for the cross knockout quarter-finals, with Pool E winners taking on Pool F fourth place and Pool E second place challenging Pool F third place. The four winners in this round will then test their mettle in the semi-finals, with the two winning teams setting up for a final showdown.

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