CAMBODIA RIDES ON HOME SUPPORT WITH STRAIGHT-SET WIN AGAINST LAOS TO STAY ON COURSE AT SEA V. LEAGUE CHALLENGE

 Phanom Penh, Cambodia, August 31, 2024 – Hosts Cambodia powered past Laos in sensational straight sets 25-16, 25-18, 25-23 at the inaugural SEA V. League Challenge at National Olympic Stadium here on Saturday.

Fresh from a comeback 3-1 win against Malaysia in their curtain-raisers of the single round-robin competition on Friday, Cambodia, silver medallists at the last year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on home soil, made it two in succession.

Against the Laotians, Cambodia mixed the powerful attacks from outside hitter Chan Veasna and opposite Thy Menghuong with solid blocks by Kheng Thona and well-placed serves by Mouen Menglaiy to outperform the unfancied opponents in the first two sets 25-16, 25-18. 

However, the visitors put their acts together, counter-attacking and intensifying their defence in the third set, making the most of fast attacks from middle blocker Lattannakong Bounlai. Still, backed by cheering home fans of around 4,000 at the venue, the host side clawed their way back to with the hard-fought set 25-23 and match.

      

Thy Menghuong was the most productive player of Cambodia as he chipped in 10 points from 9 kills and one block, while Chan Veasna and Mouen Menglaiy kept good company to add 9 and 7 points respectively. Chanthanvong Channima and Lattannakong Bounlai scored 8 points apiece for Laos.

Cambodia dominated in all elements, including kills (33 to 30), blocking (4 to 1), and aces (8 to 1), and it benefitted from more opponent errors (30 to 25).

Earlier, Malaysia handed Singapore the first loss in the three-day tournament following a 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-18) victory against the determined rivals.

Opposite Jian Qian Sim delivered 13 points from 10 kills, one block and 2 aces for Malaysia, while outside hitters Ranfit Ramu and Chia You Jing added 8 and 7 points respectively. Outside hitter Wong Jordan Ryan led Singapore with 12 points from 9 kills, one block and 2 aces, with fellow outside hitter Lim Jayden Xuan Wei and middle blocker Wan Yue Jun adding 7 points apiece.

Malaysia’s higher offensive efficiency (33 to 31) and more opponent errors (32 to 19) proved instrumental for their victory as the points scored in blocks and aces were the same with 3 to 3 and 7 to 7 respectively.

After two days, hosts Cambodia surged ahead the pacesetters Singapore to the top of the four-team standing with 6 points from two straight wins. Malaysia had 3 points from one win against on loss, with Singapore in third place with 3 points from one win against one loss. Laos have yet to win a single set to succumb to two straight losses to come in fourth places with no point awarded.

On Sunday, the last day of the SEA V. League Challenge, Cambodia will take on Singapore and Malaysia will face off against Laos. After three days, the team with the best performance and highest-scoring points will be crowned champions and qualify for SEA V.League 2025.

The Challengers gears up in their race for qualification for SEA V.League 2024 as the inaugural Four volleyball nations to join ‘SEA V League Challenge’ gets underway

 

The Volleyball Federation of Cambodia (VFC) formally released the rosters for the Cambodian national volleyball team's upcoming SEA V League Challenge on Saturday.The Volleyball Federation of Cambodia (VFC) announced on Saturday that four nations will vie for the eventual title at the in the 2024 Southeast Asian Volleyball League Challenge, also known as the SEA V. League Challenge.

This year, the event is set to take place in Phnom Penh at the Olympic Stadium Volleyball Complex from August 30 to September 1, with hosts and 2023 SEA Games silver medallists Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Laos competing in a single round-robin format. The team accumulating the most points from match victories will win the tournament.

The federation chose the National Olympic Stadium Volleyball Complex to host all matches, making it more accessible and easier for spectators to enjoy the tournament. Fans can attend the matches, and admission is free of charge.

VFC Secretary General Mr Aing Sereypiseth said that the event will serve as a connector for sports tourism between Southeast Asian countries, while Cambodia national volleyball team will get an opportunity to compete at a higher level, helping elevate Cambodian volleyball development to the SEA level.

There is a mix of young and experienced players on the 15-member national volleyball team.

Along with experienced setter Soun Channaro, the team features star middle blockers Phol Ratanak and Moeun Nimul, outside hitters Voeurn Veasna Koun Mom and Soeurn Heng, opposing spiker Pin Sarun and libero Seng Kimhab.

Alongside them, there are new faces and young players including opposition setter Born Narith, outside hitters Chan Veasna and Moeun Menglay, middle blocker Kheng Thona, opposing spikers Thy Menghuong and Ron Sokchea and libero Khim Sovanndara.

The general manager is Aing Serey Piseth, who is also secretary general of the Volleyball Federation of Cambodia. The head coach of the Cambodian team is Li Jun of China.

The Cambodian volleyball federation announced in a press conference last weekend at Chip Mong Mega Mall in Phnom Penh that four nations are visiting Cambodia to vie for titles in the “Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei 2024-Southeast Asia Volleyball League Challenge”, also known as the SEA V League Challenge.

This year, the event is set to take place in Phnom Penh at the Olympic Stadium volleyball complex from August 30 to September 1.

Participating countries are hosts Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Laos. The four national teams compete as one group in a single round-robin format. The team accumulating the most points from match victories wins the tournament.

The SEA V League Challenge serves as a qualification round, with the winning team moving on to the SEA V League to be hosted next year, which will see the national teams from Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines join once again.

At the press conference, Piseth said that Prime Minister Hun Manet fully endorses the tournament. He added that the event will serve as a connector for sports tourism between ASEAN countries and help elevate Cambodian volleyball at the international ASEAN level.

THAILAND, INDONESIA KICK OFF THEIR SEA V. LEAGUE SECOND LEG CAMPAIGNS WITH SOLID WINS IN YOGYAKARTA

 

 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.

Live Broadcast Schedule for Leg 2 of Men's SEA V.League 2024 gets underway in Yogyakarta on August 23

 The live broadcast schedule for the 2nd leg of the 2024 SEA V.League Men will be broadcast live on Moji TV and Vidio streaming. The match will take place from 23 to 25 August 2024 at the UNY Sports Hall, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

The second round of the 2024 SEA V.League Men will give Indonesia a chance to rise. Because, in the first leg, Li Qiu Jiang's team only finished as runners-up , just below Thailand.

Indonesia's achievement in the first leg of the 2024 SEA V.League is the opposite of that of the 2023 SEA V.League or the first edition. At that time, Indonesia finished in first place in both the first and second legs and emerged as the overall champion.

The SEA V.League 2024 2nd Leg schedule on August 23 opens with a Thailand vs Vietnam duel at 16:00 local time followed by a mouth-watering encounter of host Indonesia vs Philippines at 19:00 local time. The following day on August 24, there is a clash between Vietnam vs Indonesia at 16:00 local time and the Philippines vs Thailand at 19:00 local time

The final matchday of SEA V.League 2024 week 2 on August 25th will also enthral the crowd with two exciting matches. Vietnam faces the Philippines at 16.00 local time, while Indonesia vs Thailand at 19.00 local time will garner the maximum eyeballs as regional rivalry between the two hotly contested sides will take centre stage at GOR UNY hall.

Live Broadcast Schedule for Leg 2 of SEA V.League 2024 Putra TV

To gain points in the 2nd leg , Indonesia could actually perform optimally since the first match. The schedule sequence in the 2nd leg of the 2024 SEA V.League Men allows Indonesia to change the odds and perform well front of the rapturous home crowd.

The first match against the Philippines could be Indonesia's first attempt to gain points. Moreover, the Red and White volleyball squad has proven its quality in front of the Philippines in the 1st leg.

At that time, In week 1 Indonesia defeated the Philippines with a score of 3-1 (23–25, 25–19, 25–11, 25–21). A similar scenario can also be repeated by Indonesia in the second match of the 2024 SEA V.League Men, precisely when facing Vietnam.

Indonesia's quality has been shown when facing Vietnam in the 1st leg .Dio Zulfikri and his friends overcame Vietnam with a narrow score of 3-2 (21–25, 25–21, 19–25, 25–22, 15–12).

If they manage to get past the Philippines and Vietnam, Indonesia can prepare to face Thailand in the last match of the 2nd leg . The best result can be more sought to avenge the defeat of the 1st leg .

Previously, Indonesia was defeated by Thailand via a landslide score of 0-3 (21–25, 23–25, 20–25). The result also marked Thailand's victory, sweeping all 3 matches of the first leg with a landslide score of 3-0.

Now, Indonesia's chances of winning the match against Thailand are quite open. Because, Li Qiu Jiang's troops will act as hosts. This means, they will appear in front of their own supporters.

However, vigilance also needs to be carried out by Indonesia. Thailand is predicted not to relax its strength to lock in the status as the overall champion in the 2024 Men's SEA V.League.

Thailand will likely still rely on some of its mainstay players. For example, Kissada Nilsawai, the volleyball player who won the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award in the 2nd leg of the 2024 SEA V.League.

Besides Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines also have the potential to have an interest in achieving higher achievements in the 2nd leg . Moreover, both teams ended the 2nd leg in the bottom two rankings.

Full Schedule of SEA V.League 2024 Men's Leg 2

The following is the complete match schedule for the 2024 SEA V.League Men's leg 2:

Friday, August 23, 2024

• 16.00 WIB: Thailand vs Vietnam
• 19.00 WIB: Indonesia vs Philippines

Saturday, August 24, 2024

• 16.00 WIB: Vietnam vs Indonesia
• 19.00 WIB: Philippines vs Thailand

Sunday, August 25, 2024

• 16.00 WIB: Vietnam vs Philippines
• 19.00 WIB: Indonesia vs Thailand

South East Asian Powerhouse Thailand claims gold in SEA V.League Leg 1

Pilipinas Men settled for the bronze medal in the 2024 Southeast Asia V.League first leg following a 26-28, 14-25, 16-25 loss to gold medalist Thailand on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Already assured of the gold before the match, the Thais still brought their A-game to end the first leg unscathed with a 3-0 record without dropping a single set for their first championship in the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Filipinos, who played without superstar Bryan Bagunas due to an apparent knee injury he suffered yesterday against Indonesia, ended with a 1-2 record, good for third place as the Indonesians took home the silver.

This is the Philippines’ first medal in the tournament after going winless in the two legs of the inaugural edition last year.

The Filipino spikers opened the game inspired, able to force an extended first set with Leo Ordiales, Michaelo Buddin, and Noel Kampton leading the charge.

The Thais were too composed though as Bhinijdee Napadet’s crosscourt kill gave them the first frame that opened the floodgates for their nation.

With confidence brimming, Thailand dominated Alas Pilipinas in the second with a blazing 11-3 start to a 25-14 win that brought them a set away from the sweep.

Kampton, who replaced Bagunas in the starting six, was the lone Filipino in double figures with 10 points on nine attacks and one ace.

Buddin and Ordiales added seven points apiece in the loss.

The trio of Nilsawai Kissada, Napadet, and Phanram Anurak led the way for the champions.

Kissada, a 6-foot-8 middle blocker, and Napadet each got 14 points while Anurak had 13.

Indonesia positioned itself for a silver finish after escaping Vietnam in five sets earlier in the day, 21-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-22, 15-12.

Boy Arnez Arabi and Fahri Septian Putrama delivered 22 and 21 points, respectively for the second-placers, while Tran Duy Tuyen and Pham Van Hiep carried the fight for the winless Vietnamese side with 22 and 19 points.

The second leg will be held in Indonesia starting 23rd of August up to the 25th