Thailand began their FIVB women's world championship campaign with a gruelling 3-2 (18-25, 25-22, 25-19, 13-25, 15-11) victory over Asian rivals South Korea in Japan yesterday.
With both defending champions United States and Russia winning their Pool C matches 3-0 earlier in the day, a win against the Koreans in the opening match was crucial and the team delivered the right result at Kobe Green Arena on Saturday.
In the absence of Chatchu-on Moksri, who watched most of the two-hour marathon encounter from the substitute bench barring the final few points, fellow outside hitter Pimpichaya Kokram emerged as the key player for Thailand.
The 20-year-old, who is often criticised by fans for underperforming, put on a stellar performance, scoring a total of 25 points, with 23 spikes. Veteran Onuma Sittirak added 16.
For South Korea, captain Kim Yeon-Koung led the way with 23 points, ably supported by Park Jeong-Ah with 18 spikes.
There was a tremendous atmosphere inside the arena as both teams attracted large and noisy groups of supporters, despite the threat of a typhoon heading for Kansai.
Thailand also beat South Korea in the semi-finals of the recent Asian Games in Indonesia in a historic campaign which saw the team reaching their first ever final of indoor volleyball. The team lost to world No.1 team China in the gold medal match.
Earlier, holders US began their defence with a hard-fought 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan at the same venue.
The Americans saved five set points in the opening set before going on to win with scores of 29-27, 25-21, 25-21 in a hugely entertaining game.
It was a great team effort by the champions, who had 12 points from Kimberly Hill and 11 each from Jordan Larson and Kelly Murphy. Polina Rahimova was Azerbaijan's top scorer with 23 points including 17 spikes.
Fellow Pool C team Russia also had an impressive straight-sets victory over Trinidad and Tobago. Led by Nataliya Goncharova with 13 points, Russia won comfortably 25-21, 25-11, 25-12 in 67 minutes.
Thailand take on Russia on Sunday. The match will be shown live on Workpoint (23) at 5.20pm.
United States play Trinidad and Tobago in the day's first match, followed by the Azerbaijan v South Korea clash.