Thailand suffer third consecutive defeat after losing to Japan

Thailand suffer third consecutive defeat after losing to Japan

Asian champions Thailand yesterday suffered their third successive defeat at the World Grand Champions Cup women's volleyball tournament when they lost to hosts Japan.

Thailand’s Onuma Sittirak, right, spikes the ball against Japan.

World No.3 Japan beat No.12 Thailand 25-20, 29-27, 25-22 at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, avenging their loss to the Thais in this year's Asian Championship final in Nakhon Ratchasima two months ago.

With the defeat, Thailand remain at the bottom of the six-team, round-robin tournament after losing to the Dominican Republic and Brazil in their first two games. Japan have six points from two wins.

World No.1 Brazil remain the only unbeaten team in the tournament after their 3-1 victory over the Dominicans, 25-20, 25-15, 22-25, 25-19. After three matches, reigning Olympic champions Brazil, who have dropped only one set, have nine points while the Dominicans have three points thanks to their win against the Thais.

The US defeated Russia 3-2 (16-25, 25-22, 25-19, 24-26, 15-13) for a 2-1 record and six points after three matches. Russia (1-2) have four points.

Thailand today face the US in their penultimate match while Russia meet Brazil and the Dominicans are up against Japan.

The competition, held every four years, is for continental champions. It is Thailand's second appearance after they failed to get a single point at the 2009 edition.

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