Thais exit after gripping five-set encounter with Japan

Thailand bowed out in the quarter-finals of the FIVB Girls’ U19 World Championship in Osijek, Croatia, yesterday.

Two days after pulling off a stunning 3-2 upset over four-time champions China in the round of 16, the Thai team found their Japanese opponents too tough to handle.

The Thai girls fell 2-3 (20-25, 25-20, 20-25, 29-27, 10-15) to their Asian rivals, who go on to meet the winners of the second quarter-final match between Bulgaria and Turkey, who were due to face off later last night.

In the top bracket, Italy were to play Croatia and United States were to meet Brazil with the winning teams to square off in the semi-finals today.

Outside hitter Warisara Seetaloed was Thailand’s top scorer…