Indonesia, boosted by cheering home fans at the packed Padepokan Voli Jenderal Polisi Kunarto Gymnasium in Jakarta on Sunday, bounced back from the first-set loss to stun AVC Challenge Cup champions Thailand in their final First Leg encounter of the 2023 Southeast Asian Men’s Volleyball League (SEA V. League).
The comeback 3-1 (21-25, 25-17, 25-23, 27-25) win handed Indonesia, current world No.68 and defending and successive three-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medallists, not only the eventual First-Leg title, but also a sweet revenge for their 2-3 loss to Thailand in round of Top 6 in the recent AVC Challenge Cup in Chinese Taipei.
Though competing without star spiker Rivan Nurmulki, Indonesia remained strong with the likes of Fahri Septian Putratama and Farhan Halim as both of them became the mainstays for the team’s dramatic win against the strong visitors.
Thailand demolished Vietnam and Philippines in straight sets in their first two matches, while Indonesia also followed suit to bag two straight wins in the single round-robin tournament. As a result, the Sunday’s highly-anticipated clash between them would decide the eventual First-Leg winners in the 2023 SEA V. League.
In the first set, Thailand stayed in control until Kissada Nilsawai fired a powerful shot to help the team lead with a three-point clear at 24-21. Miscommunication in the Indonesian team a minute later cost them dear with the well-organized Thais running away with the first set win 25-21.
Conceding one set, Indonesia came back much stronger in the second set to race to an initial 15-9 lead and extend it to 20-14. After that, both sides came up with service errors, but riding the momentum and the inspiration coming from the cheering fans, the host side broke away to win the set 25-17.
In the third set, Thailand opened an early 5-2 lead and widened it to 12-8 before the Indonesians fought back hard to win four points in a row and caught the opponents at 12-12. Both sides then played neck and neck until the score was tied at 23-23. Indonesia requested timeout and back on court, they managed to hold on to their advantage, winning back to back for another set win 25-23.
With Fahri and Farhan on fire in attack in the fourth set, Indonesia stormed on with their powerful attacks and impeccable defence to take an initial 8-5 lead and widen it to 18-14. The on-going duel got tougher with both sides giving it all out. As the Indonesians were taking a narrow 25-24 lead, Napadet Bhinijdee hit a powerful crosscourt attack to help Thailand level it at 25-25. However, Indonesia held their nerves to score two points in row including a thundering attack from Farhan in the last point to end the match and get the Indonesian party started.
Fahri Septian Putratama was a big name in the Indonesia’s victory with 23 points scored against the rivals including 20 attacks and two blocks. Farhan Halim added another 18 points from 17 attacks and one ace. Napadet Bhinijdee led Thailand with 20 points including 19 attacks.
The Indonesia’ dominance was also visible in the match stats as the winners dominated in kills (58 to 53) and serves (three to two), besides benefiting from more opponent errors (31 to 27). Thailand got the most blocks, prevailing in that category by eight to six.
Meanwhile, world No.56 Vietnam produced terrific comeback 3-2 win against world No.59 Philippines in their last match of the three-day event. Philippines, spearheaded by Steven Charles Rotter and Joshua Umandal, took the first two sets 25-22, 25-21 before Vietnam counter-attacked aggressively to capture the next three sets 25-18, 25-23, 15-10 and match.
Pham Van Hiep chipped in with 22 points from 19 attacks, one block and two aces for Vietnam, while Steven Charles Rotter scored a match-high 28 points from 26 attacks, one block and one ace on the Philippines’ loss.
At the conclusion of the First Leg in Indonesia, the host side had 9 points from three straight wins to reign supreme. Thailand finished second with 6 points from two wins against one loss. Vietnam came in third place with 2 points from one win against two losses, while winless Philippines ended in fourth position with only one point.
The SEA V. League will move on to the Second Leg in Philippines between July 28 and 30, with Indonesia back to defend their First-Leg title and setting their sights on back-to-back wins in this four-team tournament.
FINAL RANKING
Champions: Indonesia
Second Place: Thailand
Third Place: Vietnam
Fourth Place: Philippines
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
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