VNL 2025: Japan Comebacks Against Thailand, Secures 5th Win

On June 18, in the second match of the day during Week 2 Pool 5 in Hong Kong, Japan staged an impressive reverse sweep, coming back from two sets down to defeat Thailand 3-2 (18-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-15, 15-11). This victory marked Japan’s fifth consecutive win in the tournament, maintaining their unbeaten record. Meanwhile, Thailand’s win-loss record dropped to 1-4.

Japanese outside hitter Wada delivered a standout performance, finishing as the match’s top scorer with an impressive 29 points.

Post-Match Reactions from Thailand

In a post-match interview with our journalist, Thai setter Natthanicha Jaisaen shared her excitement about the team’s performance against Japan. She expressed her happiness that Thailand managed to win two sets, noting that Japan had not dropped a single set in this VNL campaign prior to this match. She also described the match as difficult due to Japan’s strong defense and organized system but said that Thailand played well and fought hard throughout the game.

Thai head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai, also speaking to our journalist, congratulated Japan on their world-class performance, emphasizing that Thailand learned a lot from Japan, especially in areas like attack and defense. He praised Japan’s middle blockers and expressed gratitude to his players for their hard work since last week. He explained that the team had been focusing on addressing individual weaknesses and improving team tactics.

Kiattipong highlighted the strong start from Thailand in the first two sets, where the players executed their tactics effectively. He commended their fighting spirit and congratulated them on their efforts. Regarding the later sets, he acknowledged Japan’s excellent performance while appreciating his players’ determination. He also noted that some players were dealing with injuries and physical issues, but the team supported each other well.

The coach also praised the substitutes for their contributions and revealed that the team tried to surprise their captain, as it was her birthday.

Video Interviews of the Matchday

(Reported by Boris CHUNG Bok Man)