In-form Thailand demolished Philippines 3-0 and Vietnam prevailed over Indonesia 3-1 to set up the final clash of the two unbeaten teams on Sunday to determine the eventual winners of the 3rd Southeast Asian Women’s Volleyball League (SEA V. League) First Leg at the Vinh Phuc Gymnasium in Vinh Phuc, a mountainous province northwest of Hanoi in Vietnam.
In their opening encounters on Friday, World No.15 and reigning champions Thailand struggled to beat Indonesia in hard-fought three-setter, while world No.47 and AVC Challenge Cup winners Vietnam pulled off sensational 3-1 win against Philippines.
Both Thailand and Vietnam captured their second wins the following day, with the former sweeping Philippines in convincing straight sets 25-19, 25-7, 25-17 and the latter putting it past Indonesia, which showed great determination and spirit in their Saturday’s match, in thrilling four-setter 25-20, 25-17, 23-25, 25-18.
Following two wins in a row, Thailand and Vietnam stand an equal chance of claiming the top honour in the First Leg in Vinh Phuc and the last match among them on Sunday will determine the eventual title.
On Saturday, Thailand head coach Danai Sriwacharamaytakul intended to stick to his game plan of the lineup shuffle and he, therefore, made the most of sending every player in the team to gain competition experience and exposure, hoping that his players will be well-prepared ahead of their three major tournaments later this year – 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship on home soil in Nakhon Ratchasima, the Paris 2024 Olympic Qualification Tournament Pool C in Lodz, Poland and the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games in China.
In the first set, Thailand fielded a formidable lineup including Thatdao Nuekjang, Wimonrat Thanapan, Sasipapron Janthawisut, Pimpichaya Kokram, Wipawee Srithong and setter Pornpun Guedpard, while Mhicaela Belen and Alyssa Solomon, both of them scored 16 points apiece in their previous match against Vietnam, remained the mainstays of Philippines.
Both sides fought well from the very beginning of the first set to level it at 8-8 before powerful attacks from Sasipapron and Pimpichaya and fast spikes from Thatdao assisted Thailand to extend it to the commanding 24-16 lead. Philippines intensified their defence, allowing the strong Thais difficulties in wrapping up the set easily. They put up a gallant fight to save three set points. However, their good show did not last long as Wipawee hit an aggressive spike which went unanswered. Thailand took the first set 25-19.
The Thai team fielded another strong six players in the second set including Chatchu-On Moksri, Ajcharaporn Kongyot, Thanacha Sooksod, Tichakorn Boonlert and Jarasporn Bundasak.
The fight turned one-way traffic in this set. Thailand shone through their awesome form with combination attacks, excellent teamwork, well-placed serves and offensive mobility, while Philippines became more prone to unforced mistakes, making them no match against the well-organized rivals. Thailand clinched the totally one-sided set 25-7 to hold a 2-0 advantage.
Coach Danai still shuffled the lineup in the third set, fielding a mixed team of Sasipapron, Wipawee, Thanacha, Thatdao, Wimonrat and setter Sirima Manakij in an effort of finding out the right formula that worked for the team’s success. At 16-16, Thailand produced the goods to score consecutive five points to surge to the 21-16 lead. Coach Miguel Norman asked for timeout and his intention paid off its dividends when Philippines bagged one more point to reduce the gap 17-21, but that was the last chance the Philippines survived. Thailand stormed on to score four points in a row to capture the set 25-17 and match.
Sasipapron Janthawisut chipped in with 12 points from 10 attacks and two aces for Thailand, while Wipawee Srithong and Thanacha Sooksod kept good company to add another 8 and 7 points respectively. Mhicaela Belen led Philippines with 10 points.
In the second match regarded as the final rematch of the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup in Indonesia, Vietnam dominated the first two sets 25-20, 25-17, thanks to the excellent offensive combinations of Tran Thi Thanh Thuy and Hoang Thi Kieu Trinh.
The two-set win tremendously delighted over 2,800 home fans packing the competition venue.
To the Vietnamese fans’ surprise, Indonesia turned the tables on their opponents in the third set to lead with a five-point clear at 20-15. Tran Thi Thanh Thuy and Tran Tu Linh joined forces in unleashing spectacular attacks to help Vietnam narrow the gap 19-24. The host side remained hot on the rivals’ heels to score four points in succession before Wulandari Ratri overcame the taller blockers with her attack to help Indonesia take the close set 25-23.
Despite one-set loss, Vietnam played consistently with more confidence to take an early 8-5 lead in the fourth set. Tran Thi Thanh Thuy once again became the backbone of the team to puncture the rivals’ defence with mighty attacks and helped Vietnam widen it to 22-17, allowing the spirited visitors only one more point to seal the deal 25-18 and match.
Tran Thi Thanh Thuy and Hoang Thi Kieu Trinh were the most productive players in this match to score massive 24 points apiece for the Vietnam’s victory. Suci Nurfadila Aulia delivered 13 points for Indonesia, with Wulandari Ratri and Annastasya Alya adding another 13 and 9 points respectively.
After two days, Thailand stayed atop the four-team standing with 6 points from two straight wins without dropping a set to their respective rivals, with hosts Vietnam in second spot with similar 6 points from two wins in a row. Indonesia and Philippines have yet won a match to come in third and fourth places with no point earned.
On Sunday, the final day of the single round-robin tournament, Thailand and Vietnam will play their last match to determine the First Leg champions, while Indonesia and Philippines will fight it out in a match to decide the third place.
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