ARNHEM, , Sept. 24 T:hailand pulled off a stunning five-set victory over Turkey in Pool B at the Women's World Volleyball Championship at the GelreDome in Arnhem.

Outside hitter Chatchu-On Moksri nailed 33 points during the clash against the nation ranked sixth in the world to win 3-2.

Proceedings were initially favouring Turkey with the first set comfortably swaying 25-17 in their favour.

However, the first signs of Thailand's stiff resistance was on full display in the second set as they refused to give up an inch.

Hande Baladin handed Turkey a 19-17 lead but Thailand were on hand to respond and could have taken the set when they secured a 24-23 lead.

Five Thai set points soon followed before they eventually got the job done with a 31-29 triumph thanks to an off-the-block swing from Moksri.

Turkey bounced back in the third set, winning 25-22, although the tie came down to a nervy fifth set when Thailand took the fourth 25-19.

The South-East Asian country sealed the match win after coming out on top 15-13.

Earlier, Brazil, Tokyo Olympics and Volleyball Nations League silver medalists, opened their FIVB Women's World Championships campaign with a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic on Saturday.

The South Americans held their nerve after a solid fight-back from their European opponents in the third set to wrap up the victory 25-20, 25-15, 22-25, 25-18 to surge to the top of Pool D, which also features China, Argentina, Colombia, and Japan.

The top four teams from the pool will advance to the next phase of the tournament.

Star outside hitter and captain Gabriela Guimaraes led from the front in her team's debut with a match-high 24 points. The 28-year-old hitter secured 23 of her points in kills, hitting at a 38.30% efficiency rate, and also fired an ace.

Opposite Kissy Nascimento added 16 points, outside hitter Pri Daroit had 11 and middle blocker Carol Gattaz, who returned to the team after sitting out of the Nations League, got 10.

"It was just our first match in the tournament and it's normal that we leave the court with the feeling that we have some things to improve in our game," said Gattaz. "We knew that it would be hard against the Czech Republic and that we'd have to give our best. But it's going to be the same in every single match here."

Brazil, who had three silver and one bronze medals in the tournament's history, is still striving for the first title at the World Championships.

In another match in the evening, world No. 1 United States breezed past Kazakhstan 25-16, 25-13, 25-22 to kick off their pursuit for a second worlds' title.

 - Xinhua