Manila, Philippines, August 15, 2024. – After the 4th Southeast Asian (SEA) Women’s Volleyball League came to a close last Sunday, the spotlight now turns to the men’s competition, split into the first leg in the Philippines from August 16 to 18 and the second leg in Indonesia between August 23 and 25.
Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam return to renew their rivalries in the single round-robin three-day competition on two consecutive weekends, vying for top honour on both occasions.
At the debut edition last year, the first-leg campaign was held in Bogor, Indonesia. Hosts Indonesia made a clean sweep in all three matches to reign supreme, followed by Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines. Indonesia still showcased their outstanding performance to repeat their feat at the second leg in Santa Rosa, Philippines. Vietnam finished second place, while Thailand dropped to third place after narrowly beating Philippines 3-2 but going down 2-3 in the next two matches against Vietnam and Indonesia. Philippines suffered three losses in a row to come in fourth place.
This year, the first leg will take place at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Philippines from August 16 to 18, with hosts Philippines taking on Vietnam first on Friday after the match between Thailand and Indonesia.
On Saturday, Philippines will go up against Indonesia, with Thailand challenging Vietnam. The concluding first leg will see Indonesia take on Vietnam and the host side fight it out with Thailand.
With new head coach Angiolino Frigoni from Italy at the helm, Philippines, which did not win a single match at the previous two-leg edition in 2023, are expected to make their mark in the first-leg campaign in front of their home fans in their buildup for the country’s hosting the next year’s FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
Among the four participating teams, Indonesia, despite sturdy challenges from the other three opponents, are considered the strongest team to be reckoned with in the first-leg event.
Aside from emerging triumphant at the debut two-leg edition last year, current world No.53 Indonesia are defending and 12-time SEA Games champions. Their well-earned eighth-place finish at the last year’s Hangzhou Asian Games proved to be the best among the Southeast Asian counterparts and they also demolished Thailand in straight sets at the last year’s Asian Championship in Iran.
However, world No.62 Thailand and world No.54 Vietnam should be two closest rivals of Indonesia this time. Thailand, under close supervision of head coach Park Ki-Won from Korea, captured the historic AVC Challenge Cup title last year in Chinese Taipei, powering past Indonesia 3-2 in the quarterfinals and Vietnam 3-1 in the semifinals en route to beating Bahrain to be crowned the eventual champions.
Vietnam were the best team among the Southeast Asian nations in this year’s AVC Challenge Cup in Bahrain, returning with the sixth place. Thailand pulled off 3-1 win against Philippines in the 9th-10th playoff, as Indonesia, fielding a second-string squad, went down to the Philippines 1-3 in the 9th-12th playoffs earlier.
At the last year’s SEA Games in Cambodia, Indonesia beat the host side to successfully defend their title three times in a row. Vietnam stunned Thailand in straight sets in the bronze-medal match. Philippines, current world No.61, came in fifth position.
With less than 24 hours time ahead of the official kickoff of the 2024 SEA V. League, if Indonesia can add the latest volleyball accolade to their collection or which team will be crowned champions is something to be seen in the first leg of the 2024 SEA V. League at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Philippines from August 16 to 18.
MATCH SCHEDULE
(All matches local times)
Friday, August 16
15.00pm: Thailand vs Indonesia
18.00pm: Philippiens vs Vietnam
Saturday, August 17
15.00pm: Thailand vs Vietnam
18.00pm: Philippines vs Indonesia
Sunday, August 18
15.00pm: Indonesia vs Vietnam
18.00pm: Philippines vs Thailand
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