Visitors keep their nerve to overcome Thais in five sets

Kazakhstan stunned hosts Thailand in a hard-fought 25-19 25-19 19-25 17-25 16-14 thriller at The Mall Bangkapi's MCC Hall to taste their first victory in the 2008 FIVB World Grand Prix.

The excellent combination of blocking by twin towers, 191cm tall Yuliya Kutsko and 185cm Olga Karpova, and powerful mid-court spikes from Irina Zaitseva helped the visitors dominate the first two sets 25-19 and 25-19.

The hosts, powered by hard-hitter Onuma Sittirak and Pleumjit Thinkaow, bounced back to claim the next two sets 25-19 and 25-17.

Kazakhstan, who came from a set down to beat Thailand 3-1 at the World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Tokyo, Japan in May to claim the last Olympic ticket, were more consistent to win the do-or-die tie-breaker 16-14 for the eventual 3-2 victory.

"We did not play well, especially in the first two sets. My girls could not control their temper. I think they had much pressure playing in front of a home crowd. That's why we lost those two sets," said head coach Nataphon Srisamutnak.

"In fact, we had a chance to win the fifth set. We lost

because we could not maintain our form at crucial moments. When they attacked, we could not counter-attack. We have

to go back and learn from

the mistakes we made in

this match.

"We next take on Germany and Cuba. Both matches are tough. However, if we can play like we did in the third and fourth sets against Kazakhstan, I think we still have a chance to beat them," he added.

In the second match of the day, three-time Olympic champions  and world No 3 Cuba got the better of Germany

25-23 21-25 8-25 21-25.

Today, Thailand take on Germany, while Cuba clash with Kazakhstan.