Thailand suffered their second straight loss in Osaka after going down to hosts Japan 3-1 (25-15, 25-21, 22-25, 25-22) on Thursday at the FIVB Women's Volleyball Nations League 2026 preliminary phase.
Opposite hitter Pimpichaya Kokram led the Thai team with 20 points (19 kills, one block), outside hitter Sasipaporn Janthawisut added 13 points (all kills), while middle blocker Thatdao Nuekjang had 12 (11 kills, one block).
Japan outside hitter and captain Mayu Ishikawa topped Japan's scoring chart with 22 points (18 kills, four blocks), while opposite Yukiko Wada was equally impressive with 20 points (18 kills, two blocks).
Thatdao said: "We really gave it our all today. Everyone worked incredibly hard because every point was so difficult to score. Both teams fought very hard. I don't regret losing the match because we did our best. There are still two more games, and we will focus on those."
Thailand remain in 14th place in the 18-team standings with nine points from two wins. The team that finishes in last place in the preliminary phase, currently occupied by the Dominican Republic, who have six points, will be relegated.
Thailand will play Brazil in their third game today, with the match starting at 1.30pm Thai time. They will face Turkey in the final match tomorrow at the same time.
