Hosts top group to face Japan in semis
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Hosts top group to face Japan in semis

Thailand's Hattaya Bamrungsuk, right, goes for a spike against Vietnam at the Asian Women's Volleyball Championship 2023 in Nakhon Ratchasima on Monday.
Thailand's Hattaya Bamrungsuk, right, goes for a spike against Vietnam at the Asian Women's Volleyball Championship 2023 in Nakhon Ratchasima on Monday.

Thailand got the better of regional rivals Vietnam 3-1 to set up an Asian Women's Volleyball Championship 2023 semi-final clash with Japan in Nakhon Ratchasima on Tuesday.

The match, which will be held at Korat Chatchai Hall, will be shown live on PPTV HD (36) at 6pm.

China, the 13-time champions, will face Vietnam in the other semi-final at 3pm at the same venue.

Thailand defeated Vietnam 23-25, 25-14, 25-19, 25-23 on Monday to finish the second round as Pool E winners.

Thailand sealed the match on the fourth match point with a kill from Wipawee Srithong.

Thailand's starting line-up included Pornpun Guedpard, Sasipaporn Janthawisut, Pimpichaya Kokram, Charasporn Bandasak, Ajcharaporn Kongyot and Supattra Pairoj.

Thailand are chasing their third Asian title after winning the championship twice in 2009 and 2013.

They defeated Japan in the final 10 years ago when the tournament was held in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Japan, meanwhile, are looking to win their third successive Asian crown and their sixth overall.

They defeated Thailand in the the finals of the last two editions in 2017 and 2019.

The 2021 championship was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the other Pool E game, South Korea defeated Australia 3-0 (26-24, 25-13, 25-14).

Both teams were already out of the semi-final contention prior to the start of the match.

Earlier, China battled past Japan 3-2 (23-25, 25-20, 19-25, 26-24, 16-14) to finish on top of Pool F.

China last won the championship in 2015, beating South Korea in the final.

Kazakhstan beat India 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-21) in the other match.

The top three teams from the Nakhon Ratchasima tournament will qualify for the 2025 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship.

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