Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, August 9, 2024 – Vi Thi Nhu Quynh and Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen steered Vietnam to dramatic 3-1 win against Indonesia, as perennial Southeast Asian (SEA) Games champions and hosts Thailand made a solid start in the 4th SEA V. League Second Leg at Chartchai Hall with straight-set win against Philippines on Friday.
On action-packed Day 1 of the single round-robin competition, current world No.32 Vietnam, which finished second place at the First Leg on home soil in Vinh Phuc last weekend, powered past Indonesia 3-1 (25-15, 15-25, 25-21, 25-21), while Thailand, fresh from capturing the First Leg title, demolished Philippines 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-16).
In the Second Leg here, Vietnam are playing without their key player and team captain Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, who is missing all Second Leg matches due to undisclosed reasons. Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen stepped up to replace the missing Tran Thi Thanh Thuy as team captain.
Against Indonesia, the team they had already beaten 3-0 at the last week’s First Leg, the Vietnamese side got off to a flying start with a comfortable win in the lopsided first set 25-15. Outside hitter Vi Thi Nhu Quynh was a consistent weapon for the team to fire an incredible 10 points in this set when Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen’s offense was pushed to the limit by the opponents.
Conceding one set, Indonesia hit back in the second set, with opposite Pertiwi Megawati Hangestri on fire, unleashing powerful attacks to help her team take an initial 15-8 lead. Despite a brave fightback, the Indonesians showed their consistency and resilience and widened the gap to 17-11 and cruised on to take the set 25-15.
The third set was closely-contested which saw the score leveled at 15-15 before Vietnam tightened their defense and attacked powerfully to score three points in a row and lead 18-15. As Vietnam were leading 23-20, an attack from Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen went out wide and Indonesia reduced the gap at 21-23.
However, their delight did not last long as Vi Thi Nhu Quynh brought Vietnam to the set point 24-21 with her off-the-block kill before Indonesian outsider Junaida Santi carried out an attack which went too far and out of bounds. Vietnam took the set 25-21.
The fourth set was dominated by Vietnam, while the Indonesians fought hard to overtake the strong opponents. Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen produced a beautiful drop to move Vietnam ahead commandingly 21-18, but shortly after that Indonesia maintained their offensive system to effectively block her twice and narrow the margin to 20-21.
Vietnam reached the match point 24-20 when Nguyen Thi Trinh and Vi Thi Nhu Quynh successfully blocked Megawati. Vietnam allowed the opponents one more point from opposite Purnama Arsela Nuari before Nguyen Thi Trinh slammed a powerful hit to end the Indonesian challenge. Vietnam captured the set 25-21 and match.
Outside hitter Vi Thi Nhu Quynh scored a match-high 25 points from 22 kills, 2 blocks and one ace for Vietnam, while opposite Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen contributed 21 points including 19 attacks from 35 attempts and outside hitter Tran Tu Linh added another 5 points. Opposite Pertiwi Megawati Hangestri scored 21 points, all in attack, on the Indonesia’s loss.
In the second match contested in front of around 2,500 home fans, current world No.14 and Asian champions Thailand brushed off Philippines in straight sets to register their first win in the three-day tournament.
Thailand brought their best players to the court at Chartchai Hall. Led by sensational Chatchu-On Moksri, the team were also strong with the likes of Pimpichaya Kokram, Ajcharaporn Kongyot, Thatdao Nuekjang and Hattaya Bamrungsuk, all of whom competed in this year’s FIVB Nations League Finals on home soil in Bangkok.
Philippines put up a gallant fight, but still found Thailand, undefeated in the tournament’s history, too hot to handle and succumbed to straight-set loss to the host side.
Going down in the first set 18-25, Philippines showed resilience, hoping to make amends for the set loss. Trailing 21-24, middle blocker Thea Allison Gagate, 188cm, and opposite Alyssa Jae Solomon, 186cm, scored back-to-back points, with the former executing a quick swipe and Solomon carrying out an ace service, bringing them within striking distance.
However, Chatchu-On, who landed the Best Outside Hitter and MVP awards at the last weekend’s First Leg in Vinh Phuc, showed her grit, handing Thailand the set 25-23 and the 2-0 lead with her powerful off-the-block kill.
Thailand gained an upper hand in the third set to lead from start to finish for the comfortable set win 25-16 and match.
Outside hitter Chatchu-On Moksri delivered 19 points from 15 kills, 3 blocks and one ace for Thailand. Pimpichaya Kokram and Thatdao Nuekjang kept good company to add 12 and 8 points respectively. No Philippine player reached double digits in scoring against Thailand, with outside hitter Nispeiro Faith Janine Shirley and fellow outside hitter Laure Ejiya scoring 6 points apiece.
On Saturday, Vietnam will take on Philippines, while Thailand play Indonesia.
After the first-day contest, Thailand went atop the four-team standing with 3 points from one win without losing a set. Vietnam finished second with 3 points from one win. Indonesia and Philippines came in third and fourth places with no point earned from one loss.
Meanwhile, the Pre-SEA V. League saw Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC, led by former Thailand national ace spiker Onuma Sittirak, face no issues in beating Malaysia in a lopsided battle 25-12, 20-10, 25-15. The Thai team will next challenge Singapore on Saturday.
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