Thailand and hosts Indonesia made solid starts at the 2024 SEA V. League Second Leg at UNY Sport Complex here on Friday, with the former overcoming the strong challenge from Vietnam and the latter surviving the first-set scare from Philippines for exceptional straight-set wins on action-packed Day 1 of the single round-robin competition.
Indonesia celebrate their victory against Philippines
Thailand, current world No.65 and winners at the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup, struggled to beat world No.55 Vietnam in intense three-setter 25-22, 25-22, 25-20, while world No.54 and 12-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games champions Indonesia demolished world No.64 Philippines in straight sets 26-24, 25-11, 25-15 on Friday.
Thailand, which captured the eventual title at the last weekend’s first leg at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila, Philippines with remarkable unbeaten record without dropping a set to their opponents, still brought their best players to the second leg in Yogyakarta including opposite Napadet Bhinijdee and veteran middle blocker Kissada Nilsawai, both of them landed the respective Best Outside Hitter and MVP at the first leg earlier, with high hopes of making it two on the trot.
Against the formidable Thailand in their opening clash in the second leg, Vietnam remained strong offensively with the likes of Pham Van Hiep, who took the Best Opposite Hitter at the first leg last weekend in Manila.
Thailand made a sluggish start with error-filled performance in the first set before hard-attacking Anurak Phamram broke the 0-6 deadlock with his exceptional attack to give Thailand the very first point in this match. After that, the Thai team gradually pulled their game together, with Napadet puncturing the Vietnamese defence into shreds with his off-the-block kills and Anurak and Chaiwat Thungkham firing cross-court from both wings to help the team level it at 19-19.
Thailand cruised on to reach the set point at 24-21, but Pham Van Hiep saved the day for Vietnam, overcoming the blockers with his fine attack. However, the Vietnam’s determination was short-lived as Chaiwat carried out a deadly hit to hand Thailand the first set 25-22.
After a difficult first set, Thailand came up with their outstanding performance in the second set to take an initial lead with a five-point clear at 13-8, but Tran Duy Tuyen’s effective fast attacks, powerful hits from Pham Van Hiep and solid blocks from Tu Thanh Thuan and Truong The Khai helped put Vietnam back on track to catch up with Thailand at 17-17 and again 20-20. The Thai side gathered their courage and hit back mightily to progress to 24-22 lead and Napadet slammed a powerful hit to stop the opponents’ fightback in the set 25-22.
Their confidence raised following the commanding 2-0 advantage, Thailand stormed on in the third set. Despite putting up a gallant fight, Vietnam found the Thai team too hot to handle. Thailand took the crucial 24-19 lead, allowing the spirited rivals one more point from an effective block by Pham Van Hiep and Tran Duy Tuyen before Anuchit Pakdeekaew produced a thundering fast spike to completely end the Vietnamese challenge 25-20 and match.
Opposite Napadet Bhinijdee scored a match-high 20 points, all in attack, for Thailand, while middle blocker Anuchit Pakdeekaew and outside hitter Chaiwat Thungkham added 12 and 9 points respectively. Pham Van Hiep was the Vietnam’s most productive player to score 12 points from 9 kills, 2 blocks and one ace.
Thailand dominated all elements of skill in this match. They did a very good job of leading the opponents in kills (41 to 40), faring better in blocking game with 10 stuffs to Vietnam’s 8. They also performed well in aces (4 to 1) and benefitted from more opponent errors (20 to 15).
Thailand will next take on Philippines, while Vietnam go up against hosts Indonesia.
In the second encounter, Indonesia, defending and consecutive three-time SEA Games gold medallists, sent Philippines packing in straight sets 26-24, 25-11, 25-15 in their Friday’s match.
Philippines were playing without their skipper Bryan Bagunas, who suffered from the knee injury, had an early advantage in the opening set, but lost their touch at the end of the closely-contested set 24-26.
With momentum on their side, the Indonesians performed exceptionally well in the second set. They dominated throughout the set and limited the Philippines’ offense to just 11 points in the lopsided set.
The Indonesians, powered by Halim Farhan and Hendra Kurniawan, who clinched the Best Middle Blocker at the last weekend’s first leg, continued their onslaughts in the third set, which they successfully won the comfortable set 25-15 and match.
Opposite Angga Anggara Agil chipped in 14 points from 10 kills, one block and 3 aces for Indonesia, while outside hitters Halim Farhan and Putrama Fahri Septian contributed 11 and 9 points respectively. The Indonesians limited the Philippines’ offence to the point that no Philippine player scored double digits. Outside hitter Michaelo Buddin delivered 7 points from 6 kills and one block for the Philippines, while opposites Leo Ordiales and Louie Ramirez added 5 points apiece.
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