Thailand celebrate their first win against Indonesia
Manila, Philippines, August 16, 2024 – In-form Thailand stunned defending and consecutive three-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games champions Indonesia in well-fought three-setter, as hosts Philippines, with new Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni at the helm, survived a huge scare from Vietnam to win the country’s first-ever victory since the inaugural two-leg SEA Men’s V. League got off the ground last year.
Philippines in victory celebration
The first leg of the 2024 SEA V. League, the second edition of the men’s event, kicked off on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium here, with current world No.53 Indonesia back to defend their title achieved in both first leg on their home soil and second leg in Philippines last year.
The 2023 AVC Challenge Cup winners Thailand brought their best players to this year’s SEA V. League campaign with the likes of Napadet Bhinijdee, who played with Jakarta Garuda Jaya in Indonesian Men’s Proliga in 2023-2024 season, Anurak Phanram, who landed the Best Outside Spiker at the last year’s first leg in Indonesia to his name, veteran Kissada Nilsawai, Chaiwat Thungkham and Anuchit Pakdeekaew.
Indonesia had only six players who were instrumental in helping the team make a clean sweep of both legs last year. They were Boy Arnez Arabi, Hendra Kurniawan, who took the Best Middle Blocker in both first leg and second leg last year, Fahri Septian Putratama, who captured the MVP at the first leg, Farhan Halim, who landed the MVP at the second leg, setter and skipper Dio Zulifikri and libero Prasojo.
Spectacular attacks from Anurak and Chaiwat and fast spikes from Kissada led world No.62 Thailand to the flawless start with 25-21 win in the first set. Indonesia’s main attackers including opposite Anggara Agil Angga and outside hitter Farhan also rose to the occasion and thrived in the impressive offensive system orchestrated by setter Dio Zulfikri, with Angga registering 8 points in this set. However, their determination was short-lived as the Thai team performed well to foil the opponents’ attacking efforts.
Both sides locked horns in a very tight contest in the second set. However, with Napadet, Anurak and Chaiwat on fire in attack and the 202cm-tall Kissada overcoming the smaller blockers with his lightning-fast spikes, Thailand took the hard-fought second set 25-23.
The rhythm remained with the Thai team in the third set. Although Indonesia regained their composure and hit back gallantly, Thailand displayed some top-calibre blocking, while Anuchit’s fast attacks, Napadet’s off-the-block kills and Chaiwat’s exceptional attacks became the key weapons to steer the Thai team to the 25-20 win in this set for the eventual 3-0 win. It was Indonesia’s first defeat in the league after sweeping the first two legs last year with a perfect 6-0 record.
Outside hitter Chaiwat Thungkham delivered 13 points from 9 kills, 3 blocks and one ace for Thailand. Middle blocker Kissada Nilsawai and opposite Napadet Bhinijdee contributed 11 points apiece. Opposite Anggara Agil Angga scored a match-high 18 points from 15 kills, one block and 2 aces on the Indonesia’s loss.
The higher efficiency in blocking (14 points to Indonesia’s 6) and benefits from more opponent error (21 to 13) proved instrumental for Thailand’s victory, as the impressive service line (4 aces to 1) helped the Indonesians offset the Thai offensive superiority (41 to 39).
Thailand will next take on Vietnam on Saturday, while Indonesia go up against Philippines.
Meanwhile, the host side, which lost all six matches contested in both first and second legs last year, won their first match under the Italian coach with dramatic 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 18-25, 25-23) against Vietnam, which picked up silver medal at the last year’s first leg.
Current world No.61 Philippines got off to a brilliant start with sensation wins in the first two sets 25-21, 25-22, but world No.54 Vietnam clawed their way back to win the third set 25-18.
With outside hitter Bryan Bagunas struggling in the last two sets, national team debutants Michaelo Buddin and opposite Louie Ramirez came to the team’s help as they brought the team a precarious 23-21 lead in the fourth set.
Middle blocker Kim Malabunga produced a solid block to put the team to the match point 24-21, but Vietnam did not want to give up easily. They bounced back to save two match points. Bagunas was fielded in again to score the match winner to help the Philippines successfully break the deadlock in the SEA V. League as it was their first-ever win in this tournament since they joined the men’s debut edition in 2023.
Bryan Bagunas topscored with 19 points on 15 attacks, two blocks and two aces for Philippines. Michaelo Buddin and Louie Ramirez kept good company to add 14 and 11 points respectively. Opposite Pham Van Hiep and outside hitter Duong Van Tien scored 15 points apiece for Vietnam, while Nguyen Ngoc Thuan added another 14 points.
Philippines dominated almost every skill consisting of kills (49 to 48), blocks (13 to 9) and aces (4 to 3), while Vietnam benefitted from more opponent error (31 to 27).
After Day 1, Thailand went atop the four-team standing with 3 points from one win without dropping a set. Philippines came in close second place with 3 points from one win, but dropped one set. Vietnam and Indonesia suffered one loss apiece to come in third and fourth places respectively.
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