NAKHON RATCHASIMA : Thailand beat Taiwan 3-0 yesterday to reach the semi-finals of the 17th Asian Women's Volleyball Championship and earn a ticket to next year's World Grand Prix.
The 2009 champions had few problems in their 25-14, 25-14, 25-23 win _ the Thais' second triumph against Taiwan this month.
The last-four teams in Nakhon Ratchasima qualify for the 2014 World Grand Prix.
Thailand also defeated the Taiwanese at a World Championship qualifying tournament in Japan earlier this month and went on to secure a berth for next year's finals.
"We played according to our plan," said Thailand coach Kiattipong Radchatakriengkrai.
"Some of our players could not play to their best because they had slight injuries."
World No.16 Thailand, who are in their fourth consecutive semi-finals, will today face defending champions China for a place in the final.
World No.5 China beat Vietnam 3-0 last night in the last quarter-final at Chatchai Hall.
Kiattipong knows that it will be tough against China who are hot favourites to win their 13th Asian title.
Having seen his team lose to China twice this year, Kiattipong said his players must be in top form to finish off the Chinese.
However, the coach said his players had chances to beat China who lost to Thailand in the 2009 Asian Championship final.
Several players who are nursing injuries should be fit for today's match including in-form Thatdao Kuekjang and Tapaphaipun Chaisiri, he said.
"We have met our target of a top-four finish," Kiattipong said.
"Now we want a medal."
Thai star Pleumjit Thinkaow admitted that China were the team to beat in the tournament but she and teammates would give their all.
"We really want to play in the final in front of our fans," said the popular player.
Thatdao said she was happy with her performance and hoped to be at full strength to help the team reach the final.
"I still feel nervous when I play for the national team," said the 20-year-old from Roi Et.
"I have a sore thumb but I should be ready to face China."
In yesterday's other quarter-final matches, 2011 runners-up Japan beat Iran 25-16, 25-13, 25-11 and South Korea defeated Kazakhstan 25-12, 25-23, 25-20.
SEMI-FINAL SCHEDULE
At Chatchai Hall: Thailand v China (4pm); Japan v South Korea (6.30pm)