Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, October 1, 2008 –Korea silenced the cheering home crowd with their consistently spectacular play to pull off a scintillating come-from-behind 3-2 (18-25, 25-19, 21-25, 27-25, 15-9) victory over Thailand in their opening match of the inaugural Asian Women’s Cup Volleyball Championship on Wednesday.

In an earlier match on Day One, world No. 63 Vietnam, silver medallists at last year’s South East Asian Games, struggled to beat the smaller-built Chinese Taipei in an exhausting 122-minute five-setter (25-17, 21-25, 28-30, 25-19, 15-13).

Unlike Vietnam, China had a comfortable day. The second encounter between title-hotshots China, who finished third place at the Beijing Olympic Games, and underdogs Malaysia saw the world No. 5 Chinese, powered by hard-spiking Wang Yimei and skilful veteran Liu Yanan, register a convincing 25-11, 25-7, 25-7 victory in 56 minutes.

In the day’s last match, the newly-formed Japanese, none of whom competed in the Beijing Olympic Games, made a promising start with a 25-15, 25-7, 25-12 triumph over unfancied Australia.

Against Korea, who smashed the Thais’ dreams of making their Olympic debut in Beijing, the home squad fielded a strong line-up with five of them, including Pleumjit Thinkaow, Onuma Sittirak and Malika Kanthong, playing in Europe’s professional leagues.

Backed by the drum-beating, flag-waving boisterous home fans inside The Mall Nakhon Ratchasima’s MCC Hall, Thailand took the first set 25-18 against South Korea, thanks largely to their impeccable defence and thundering spikes.

The formidable Koreans took command initially 8-5 in the second set before the Thai girls hit back bravely for a 13-13 tie. However, the visitors played superbly in foiling the Thais’ comeback as they stormed on to clinch the set 25-19.

Despite a strong challenge from the rivals, the Thai girls continued their supremacy in the hotly contested third set, which they won 25-21.

In the fourth set, the Koreans gave everything to try and make a match of it against the in-form Thais. Their determination paid off impressively as Korea clinched a see-saw battle 27-25. The never-say-die rivals made short work of Thailand, winning the comfortable tie-breaker 15-9 after a gruelling 128 minutes.

Talented Kim Min-Ji led the Koreans with 25 points, while Malika top-scored with 22 points for the home side.

For the Koreans, it was a sweet revenge over Thailand as they went down to the host side at the same venue here at last year’s Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship, when the home team finished in third place and the Koreans had to be content with a disappointing fourth.

“It’s a disappointing start. Korea came up with great serves and it seemed that we had no answer with such a good form. It’s a pity that our fast spiker Amporn (Hyapa) sustained the left ankle injury. If not, we stood a chance of beating the Koreans,” said Thai Head Coach Natapon Srisamutnak.

“We next take on Vietnam and it must be another tough match out there. However, I believe that among the South East Asian teams, we are second to none. I’m confident my players can cope well with Vietnamese tactics. We still have more to improve, particularly on our attacking tactics.”

Korean Head Coach Lee Sung-Hee was satisfied with his team’s performance: “It’s a good start for my team. In fact, we trained only one week in preparation for this championship. As far as I see them play, the Thai girls performed well. They can be regarded as one of the strong teams here and to beat them is not an easy job.

“Oh Hyun-Mi and Lee Jung-Ok are new players in my team but they proved to be a major force to be reckoned with. I dare not set any goal in this championship, but just hope for the best that my girls will give out our best in every match they play,” said Lee.

Chinese Taipei, coached by Japanese Norimasa Sakakuchi and fresh from winning second place at the recent Asian Junior Women’s Volleyball Championship on home soil, are a young team but packed with potential future stars, such as devastating left-hander Chen Wang Ting and 181cm-tall Chang Chen Yin, the team’s tallest player.

After going down 17-25 in the opener against Vietnam, Chinese Taipei overcame their nervousness and came back to life in the second set. They tightened their defence and simultaneously stormed back with dazzling Volleyball to snatch the set 25-21.

The third set was closely contested as both sides took turns leading. Nevertheless, Chinese Taipei continued their relentless attacks and their gutsy play eventually won them the thrilling set 30-28.

Despite the 1-2 deficit, the Vietnamese regrouped and started to produce the goods, with powerful Le Thi Muoi spiking devastatingly at the net. Vietnam clinched the set 25-19 for a 2-2 tie.

Both teams poured everything into the tie-breaker. After levelling at 13-13, Vietnam pierced into the fighting rivals’ stout defence with their explosive spikes to win two crucial points for the eventual 15-13 victory in the set.

The championship is taking place between October 1 and 7 and doubles as the Asian qualification for next year’s FIVB World Grand Prix. Only the top two teams from the one-week tournament will join China and Japan, who have already booked their berths for the 12-team World Grand Prix.