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The Phuket News
Thai spikers keep Rio dream alive
VOLLEYBALL: Thailand’s women kept their slim hopes of a trip to Rio alive with a 3-2 victory over South Korea in Olympic volleyball qualifying today (May 21).
Bangkok Post
Saturday 21 May 2016, 04:15PM
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Thai players react after their victory over South Korea during the women’s volleyball world final qualification for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Photo: Toru Yamanaka
Thai players react after their victory over South Korea during the women’s volleyball world final qualification for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Photo: Toru Yamanaka
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Thailand lost in the first two sets before a thrilling comeback against the Koreans, who are in first place in the eight-team tournament. The scores were 19-25, 22-25, 29-27, 26-24 and 15-12.
The national side can only qualify for Rio if Japan loses to Italy when they play starting around 5pm Thai time, and to the Netherlands tomorrow (May 22). At the same time, Thailand must defeat Peru.
The match against Peru will take place at 10.55am local time tomorrow.
The Tokyo tournament that ends tomorrow is one of two events that will decide the five remaining spots in Rio. The top three teams plus the top Asian side will qualify. The second tournament, which concludes tomorrow in Puerto Rico, consists of four teams, and only the winner will take the last spot for the 2016 Olympics.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha hailed the Thai team after they showed form by clawing back from a two-set deficit to snatch victory.
“The prime minister praised all players and coaches after the national team overcame the strong favourite South Korea in a nail-biting match,” government spokesman Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkumnerd said.
Gen Prayut made the comment after arriving from Russia for the summit between the host and leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Sochi. The meeting ended yesterday (May 20).
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