Thailand had to settle for a runner-up spot at the 2019 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship for the second time in a row after losing to Japan in the final in Seoul yesterday.
The Japanese claimed a 3-1 (25-22, 18-25, 25-18, 25-23) victory to land their fifth continental crown.
Two-time champions Thailand also lost to Japan in the title match two years ago in the Philippines.
Hosts South Korea clinched the third place after beating China 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-22) -- also a repeat of the 2017 outcome.
Two Thai players Nootsara Tomkom and Piyanut Pannoy bagged individual awards after being named the best setter and the best libero respectively.
Japan's Mayu Ishikawa was the championship's Most Valuable Player and was also named the best outside spiker alongside South Korea captain Kim Yeon-Koung. Japan's Haruna Soga was awarded the best opposite spiker while the best middle blocker awards went to Japan's Nichika Yamada and China's Yang Hanyu.
The top eight teams of the championship earned spots at the 2020 AVC Women's Volleyball Olympic Qualification Tournament in January.
Japan as host nation have automatically qualified for Tokyo 2020 while China have already booked their ticket to the Summer Games after winning their intercontinental qualifiers early this month. Australia and India, who finished ninth and 10th in Seoul will now have a shot at vying for the Olympic spot.
