Tokyo.– South Korea and Thailand got off to markedly different starts in their openers on Saturday in the final Asian and world qualifying round for the Beijing Olympic Games.

South Korea fended off a late challenge from Puerto Rico for a 25-22, 25-16, 21-25, 25-21 victory, while Thailand crashed to a 26-24, 25-22, 26-24 defeat by the Dominican Republic in the eight-team round robin.

The winners of the tournament along with the best Asian country and the two best-placed teams from the remaining six competitors here will qualify for the Olympics.

Kim Min-Ji was the best scorer from the Korean side hitting 17 winners, including 14 off her attacks, while coach Lee Jung-Chul praised Chun Min-Chong, who hit two service winners.

"We got off to a good start with a series of serves and attacks, but it seemed we lost the momentum in the middle of the third set," said Lee.

"Chun Min-Chong hit an array of good serves to regain the momentum and then we were able to play our usual game," he added.

Captain Kim Sa-Nee said: "We were nervous in the beginning, because we are fighting for winning the ticket to the Olympics. I'd like to praise our team, because we did our best to win without ace attackers."

Thai coach Srisamutnak Nataphon said good blocking made the difference as his team managed to win only 12 points off their blocks against the Dominican Republic's 42.

"My players made too many mistakes, especially in blocking. We had a chance to win the first and third sets, but we made errors," said Srisamutnak.

Dominican Republic coach Beato Miguel Cruz said: "It's important to win the first match in a tournament like this. It's always difficult to play Thailand. They play typical Asian volleyball. We must block well and defend well."