Thailand, hosts Indonesia to lock horns in intense battle in Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta, Indonesia, August 22, 2024 – Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines and hosts Indonesia will renew their rivalries in the 2024 SEA V. League Second Leg at the 5,000-seater UNY Sport Complex here from August 23 to 25, with the Thai team setting their sights on making it two in a row after capturing the first-leg title with remarkable unbeaten record in Manila, Philippines.
Current world No.65 and the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup champions Thailand, with head coach Mr Park Ki-Won from Korea at the helm, made a perfect sweep of all three matches without dropping a set to their respective opponents at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in the Philippines’ capital city last weekend. Finishing atop the four-team standing, Thailand were crowned the eventual SEA V. League champions for the first time.
The SEA Men’s V. League got off the ground last year, with the first leg being held in Bogor, Indonesia and the second leg in Santa Rosa, Philippines. Regional powerhouses Indonesia, which captured the 2023 Cambodia-hosted Southeast Asian (SEA) title for 12 times including three in succession, swept both first leg and second-leg titles at the last year’s inaugural SEA V. League.
However, Thailand have become the indomitable giants to topple at the 2024 SEA V. League as they had already captured the first-leg supremacy. Following their incredible success in the first leg in the Philippines, the Thailand’s lineup remained unchanged in the second leg with the likes of three key players who landed the individual awards last week featuring veteran middle blocker Kissada Nilsawai, who won the MVP award to his name, Best Outside Hitter Napadet Bhinijdee and Best Libero Tanapat Charoensuk.
Powerful hitters Anurak Phanram and Chaiwat Thungkham as well as experienced setter Boonyarid Pongtorn and middle blocker Anuchit Pakdeekaew are also expected to come up with their outstanding performances as they did with the Thai team last week.
Philippines and Vietnam hoping to make their mark in the second leg in Yogyakarta
Hosts Indonesia, under the close supervision of Chinese head coach Li Qiujiang, and Vietnam, coached by Tran Minh Duc, also fielded the similar team rosters contesting the last weekend’s first leg. Helmed by Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni, the Philippines will have two players sidelined consisting of the injured outside hitter Bryan Bagunas and middle blocker John Paul Bugaoan, replaced by outside hitter Joshua Umandal and middle blocker Jenngerard Amfranz Diao.
On Friday, August 23, Thailand will open their second-leg campaign against Vietnam at 4pm local time, with hosts Indonesia taking on Philippines at 7pm. Vietnam will next go up against Indonesia, while Philippines will challenge Thailand. On Sunday, the last day of the three-day single round-robin contest, Vietnam will be pitted against Philippines and Thailand face off against hosts Indonesia.
Meanwhile, the Volleyball Federation of Cambodia (VFC) announced on Saturday that four nations will vie for the eventual title at the in the 2024 Southeast Asian Volleyball League Challenge, also known as the SEA V. League Challenge.
This year, the event is set to take place in Phnom Penh at the Olympic Stadium Volleyball Complex from August 30 to September 1, with hosts and 2023 SEA Games silver medallists Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Laos competing in a single round-robin format. The team accumulating the most points from match victories will win the tournament.
To make it more accessible and easier for spectators to enjoy the tournament, the federation chose the National Olympic Stadium Volleyball Complex to host all matches. Fans can join the matches and admission is free of charge.
VFC Secretary General Mr Aing Sereypiseth said that the event will serve as a connector for sports tourism between Southeast Asian countries, while Cambodia national volleyball team will get an opportunity to compete at a higher level, helping elevate Cambodian volleyball development to the SEA level.
MATCH SCHEDULE
QUICK LINKS
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
AVC Facebook: click www.Facebook.com/AsianVolleyballConfederation
AVC Twitter: click: www.twitter.com/AsianVolleyball
AVC Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/avcvolley/?hl=en
Mikasa Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/mikasasports_official
AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation
AVC WeChat: Asian Volleyball Confederation