Thailand went down to Turkey in the final second round match at the FIVB world championship in Japan on Thursday.
The Turks lost the first set but recovered to win 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-20) and close the tournament with a 5-4 win-loss record. Thailand could not add to their three victories from the first round in Kobe and ended the championship at 3-6.
Thailand had four players in double figures, led by Onuma Sittirak with 16 which included two service aces, at the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium.
Meryem Boz led the Turkish attack with 24 points including 19 spikes and both Zehra Gunes and captain Eda Erdem scored 16, both producing five blocks each in Turkey's total 17 team block points.
"It was a good match for us. We served well in the first set but in the second set Turkey's serve improved. We are proud that our team could enter the second round of this tournament. It was a good experience for all our players," said Thailand Captain Pleumjit Thinkaow.
Coach Danai Sriwachamaytakul thanked his players for their brave effort throughout the tournament, adding he was "really satisfied with the way we have played here".
Italy completed a 9-0 clean sweep in the first two rounds by defeating defending champions United States 3-1 (25-16, 25-23, 20-25, 25-16) and qualified for the final six as Pool F winners.
China (8-1) defeated Russia (6-3) 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 25-23, 25-15) to claim second place while the Americans (7-2) went through as a third-placed team.
In the other match in the pool, Bulgaria beat Azerbaijan 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-20).
The Netherlands, hosts Japan and Serbia made up the final six after qualifying from Pool E.
The third round (final six) will begin on Sunday in Nagoya.
