Phanom Penh, Cambodia, August 30, 2024 – The inaugural SEA V. League Challenge got underway at National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh on Friday, with Malaysia, Singapore, Laos and hosts Cambodia testing their mettle in the single round-robin competition between August 30 and September 1.
In the opening match, Singapore bagged the first three points following their convincing straight-set 25-17, 25-14, 25-20 victory against Laos in 62 minutes.
Outside hitter Wong Jordan Ryan led Singapore with 13 points from 10 kills, 2 blocks and one ace, while fellow outside hitter Lim Jayden Xuan Wei and opposite Goh Zaccheaus Jun Hui added 7 and 6 points respectively. No Laotian player reached double digits in scoring, with outside hitter Saykhammoun Lid claiming 7 points including 3 attacks from 12 attempts on the team’s loss.
Singapore came up with better performances to dominate the inexperienced opponents in all elements of skill which consisted of kills (26 to 14), blocks (7 to 0), aces (8 to 5) and benefitted more from opponent errors (34 to 32).
H.E. Sar Theth, Vice President of Volleyball Federation of Cambodia, presided over the opening ceremony, in which all participating teams walked into the competition venue, packed with home fans of around 4,000.
Grace Khon, the Khon masked dance drama which combines musical, vocal, literary, dance, ritual and handicraft elements, was performed during the opening ceremony.
After that, the curtain-raisers between Cambodia and Malaysia was held which saw the host side bounce back from the first-set loss to demolish the visitors in dramatic four-setter 17-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-21 in exhausting 103 minutes.
Outside hitter Voeurn Veasna scored a match-high 23 points from 19 kills, 3 blocks and one ace, while fellow outside hitter Koun Mom and middle blocker Muorn Nimul contributed 19 and 6 points respectively. Opposite Jian Qin Sim chipped in 19 points including 17 kills from 37 attempts for Malaysia.
Cambodia dominated Malaysia in kills (49 to 35) and fared much better in blocks (11 to 4), but Malaysia had a great job in aces (8 to 4) and benefitted from more opponent errors (38 to 28).
After the first-day campaign, Singapore moved atop the four-team standing with 3 points from one win without losing a set. Cambodia came in second place with 3 points from one win, with Malaysia and Laos trailing in third and fourth places with similar no point awarded.
On Saturday, the second day of the competition, Malaysia go up against Singapore and Laos challenge hosts Cambodia. The first match starts at 4pm local time.
POOL RANKING AND MATCH RESULTS
MATCH SCHEDULE
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