Serbian players pose for a picture after winning 3-1 against Thailand
Kyoto, Japan, June 26, 2016 – Serbia defeated Thailand 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-20) in the FIVB World Grand Prix at Shimazu Arena in Kyoto on Sunday.
From start to finish the match was a one-sided affair with Serbia never allowing Thailand a chance to work their way into the match, claiming a victory in a little over an hour.
Serbia were in control from the get-go opening the match with a 5-1 lead. Despite occasional lapses in concentration from the European side, Mihajlovic was able to lead her team to an emphatic 25-18 win. Thailand finished the set with only 2 points in attack, and 10 points won thanks to Serbian errors.
The second set looked better for the Asian side as their star Kongyot delivered in attack. Still, it was not enough against the confident Serbians who took a two-point lead at the second technical time-out. Brakocevic's aces coupled with Mihajlovic's powerful spikes led Serbia to a 25-20 win in the set.
The third set was almost an exact copy of the second. The score remained close for the better part of the set, but it was Serbia who won the crucial points, breaking away at 16-14. In a fitting fashion, it was tonight's top scorer, Mihajlovic (16 points), who finished the match with a spike down the line to make it 25-20 in the third.