Thailand produced another dazzling display to beat Azerbaijan 3-1 in the final Pool C game at the FIVB women's world championship in Kobe, Japan, on Thursday.
The Kingdom's stars, whose only two defeats have been in tie-breakers against both Russia and the United States, won 25-22, 15-25, 25-19, 25-17 to claim the third spot in Pool C with a 3-2 record.
The Thais were without two of their key players, Pimpichaya Kokram and Ajcharaporn Kongyot, due to injury and, in their absence, veteran stars Wilavan Apinyapong, Onuma Sittirak and Malika Kanthong took the game to Azerbaijan.
With Ajcharaporn cheering on her teammates from a wheelchair, Onuma led the Thai scoring with 24 points, including 21 spikes while Malika added 16 -- all of them spikes.
For Azerbaijan, Polina Rahimova top-scored with 25 points, including 22 spikes, and Jana Kulan notched 14 with 13 spikes.
"Today's game was very tough. We were slow at the beginning of the match but after that we could increase our rhythm and play our normal style. We will try to build on this victory in the second round," said captain Pleumjit Thinkaow.
Coach Danai Sriwachamaytakul praised his team's effort despite their growing injury problems.
"Azerbaijan is a strong team with a high block and good spike so it was a hard game. However, our team played very well and I am proud of that. In the second round we will focus as a team. We have some injuries but we are determined to do our best while representing the country."
Defending champions United States finished as pool winners after beating Russia 3-2 (19-25, 25-20, 26-24, 12-25, 15-11).
Earlier, South Korea claimed their first win of the tournament when they beat Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 (26-24, 25-16, 25-23).
The Thai team will now head to Osaka for the second round action which begins on Sunday at Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium.
Thailand are in Pool F with Italy, United States, China, Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Bulgaria.
Serbia, Netherlands, Japan, Brazil, Germany, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Mexico are in Pool E with matches taking place at Nagoya's Nippon Gaishi Hall.
