Kiatipong Ratchatakriengkrai’s team went down to the dominant Europeans 14-25, 19-25, 11-25 at the Nanjing Olympic Youth Sports Park Gymnasium. It was the Czechs’ third win of the opening week, reports the Bangkok Post.
Heading into yesterday’s encounter, the two teams split their first two meetings, with Thailand winning the first match at the 2010 world championship 3-1 and the Czechs winning their VNL 2025 match-up 3-0.
Kaewkalaya Kamulthala, Ajcharaporn Kongyot, Pimpichaya Kokram, Sasipaporn Junthawisut, Thatdao Nuekjang, Natthanicha Jaisaen and libero Piyanut Pannoy were named in the starting line-up against the in-form Czechs.
Opposite spiker Pimpichaya again led Thailand’s attack with eight points (all kills) while middle blocker Thatdao had six (five kills, one block) and outside hitter Sasipaporn scored four (all kills).
Opposite Monika Brancuska was the highest scorer for the Czechs with 14 points (12 kills, two blocks) and middle blocker Magdalena Jehlarova added 12 points (six kills, five blocks, one ace).
Thailand have two points and were ranked 16th in the 18-team standings at press time. The bottom team will be relegated from the elite division.
The Thais will play Week 2 at Bangkok’s Huamark Indoor Stadium where they will face Ukraine on June 17, Bulgaria on June 18, Canada on June 20 and the Netherlands on June 21, with all the matches starting at 8:30pm.