Bangkok, Thailand, May 8, 2023 – Indonesia successfully defended their title at the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games Men’s Volleyball Tournament following comfortable straight-set win against hosts Cambodia to extend their domination over the biennial regional multi-sport event to 12 titles including three in succession.
The exceptional 25-21, 25-10, 25-15 victory at the packed 5,000-seater Olympic Complex Indoor Main Hall in Phnom Penh on Monday handed Indonesia not only back-to-back win against Cambodia, the old foes they had already beaten in the pool play earlier, but also the 12th SEA Game title with remarkable unbeaten record.
Furthermore, Indonesia became the only team undefeated since the opening day of the competition on May 3 until the last day of the men’s volleyball tournament in Phnom Penh on May 8, not losing a set to their respective rivals en route to their successful title defence. For Indonesia, it was incredibly amazing that they had performed in the last three editions – similarly beating hosts 3-0 in the final showdown.
As Thailand had captured the SEA Games title four times in a row (2011-2013-2015-2017), Indonesia dominated the latest three editions – beating hosts Philippines 3-0 in the final for their tile in 2019 before demolishing hosts Vietnam 3-0 in the final in 2021 and stunning hosts Cambodia 3-0 in the final in 2023 for three in succession and 12 titles in total (1981 in Manila (Philippines), 1987 in Jakarta (Indonesia), 1989 in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), 1991 in Manila (Philippines), 1993 in Singapore, 1997 in Jakarta (Indonesia), 2003 in Ninh Binh (Vietnam), 2007 in Nakhon Ratchasima (Thailand), 2009 in Vientiane (Laos), 2019 in Pasig (Philippines), 2021 in Quang Ninh (Vietnam) and 2023 in Phnom Penh (Cambodia).
In the Monday’s gold-medal match, star spiker Rivan Nurmulki scored a match high 22 points including 21 attacks for Indonesia, with Farhan Halim adding 19 including 10 attacks and team-leading 8 aces. No player scored double digits for Cambodia, with Sarun Pin scoring 9 points on the host side’s losing effort.
Earlier, former eight-time SEA Games champions and world No.64 Thailand failed to make their mark as they went down to Vietnam, the team they had beaten 3-1 in the pool play, 18-25, 20-25, 20-25 in the third-place playoff clash to return empty-handed for consecutive two times.
At the previous edition in Vietnam, Thailand left the Quang Ninh Gymnasium with heads low in disappointment following their shock loss to Cambodia in the bronze-medal match, which resulted in the Thailand’s failure to make the podium for the first time in 36 years since their historic success in 1985.
The more thrilling playoff encounters earlier saw Philippines finish 5th place after 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 25-23) victory against Singapore and Myanmar claim the 7th position in the 32nd SEA Games following their hard-fought five-set (25-22, 25-17, 23-25, 18-25, 15-13) win against Malaysia.
MONDAY’S FINAL RESULTS
FINAL RANKINGS
Meanwhile, a total of 8 teams will test their mettle in the women’s volleyball tournament in the 32nd SEA Games in Phnom Penh, which will be held between May 9 and 14.
Pool A comprises defending and 15-time champions Thailand, 1983 winners Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar, with hosts Cambodia joining former six-time champions Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore in Pool B.
Teams will play pool round-robin preliminaries from May 9 to 11, with only top two teams from each pool advancing to the semifinals. The lower-ranked teams finishing 3rd and 4th places from each pool will be relegated to classification round for 5th-8th places.
MATCH SCHEDULE
On May 9, the opening day of the women’s volleyball tournament in Phnom Penh, Malaysia will take on Myanmar in the curtain-raiser at 12pm local time, followed by the second match between Vietnam and Singapore at 2.30pm. Thailand are due to kick off their title defence against Indonesia at 5pm, with hosts Cambodia playing Philippines at 7.30pm.
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