Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, August 10, 2024 – Two unbeaten teams, hosts Thailand and Vietnam, are set to battle it out in a decisive match in the 4th SEA V. League at Chartchai Hall here to fight for the Second Leg supremacy on Sunday.
Vietnam
Thailand
Thailand and Vietnam had already pulled off two consecutive wins in the single round-robin competition, with the former similarly demolishing Philippines and Indonesia 3-0 and the latter outclassing the two opponents 3-0 and 3-1 respectively. The confrontation between Thailand and Vietnam on Sunday will be a decisive encounter and the final showdown alike to determine the eventual winers of the Second Leg.
Against Indonesia, Thailand, current world No.14 and Asian champions, still fielded their strong lineup including Chatchu-On Moksri, Pimpichaya Kokram, Ajcharaporn Kongyot, Thatdao Nuekjang and middle blocker Wimonrat Thanapan, who stepped up in place of Hattaya Bamrungsuk. The Indonesians remained strong offensively with the likes of the 183cm-tall opposite Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi.
In the first set, Thailand heavily relied on their formidable players, all of them competed in the Volleyball Nations League Finals on home soil at Hua Mark Indoor Stadium in June. Ajcharaporn and Chatchu-On attacked spectacularly, while Thanacha Sooksod, who subbed in for Pimpichaya during the first set, proved to be the big hero for the host side as she led her teammates to a convincing 25-15 win in the set.
Going down one set, Indonesia fought back, with Megawati and Arsela Nuari Purnama firing block-out kills in the closely-contested second set. However, with greater experience and form, Thailand stayed in control, courtesy of their combination attacks, consistency and resilience. Thailand went on their impressive offensive system orchestrated by Chatchu-On and Ajcharaporn and Thatdao and setter Pornpun Guedpard were very supportive with solid blocks to help the home side close out the well-fought set 25-22.
Indonesia came up with great form in the third set, with Megawati on fire in attack. As Thailand were not at their best at some moments, Indonesia cruised on their attacks to capture the commanding 15-11 lead and extended it to 18-15, thanks to off-the-block kills by Megawati, Nurlaili Kusumah Diningrat and Arsela. The host side put their acts together, fought back hard to catch up at 19-19, but the Indonesians still had enough in their tank to hold the strong opponents off and broke away 22-20.
Struggling to live up to their expectation, Thailand pulled their game together and started to claw their way back, with Chatchu-On, Thanacha and Wimonrat unleashing back-to-back attacks to help the team level it at 23-23.
Middle blocker Hattaya Bamrungsuk, who was sent in to strengthen the team during some critical moments in the second and third sets, brought Thailand to the set point 24-23 with her fast attack and seconds later, the Indonesian challenge came to a halt when an attack from Megawati went out wide. Thailand captured the hard-fought set 25-23 and match.
Outside hitter Chatchu-On Moksri delivered 18 points from 17 kills and one ace for Thailand, while opposite Thanacha Sooksod and outside hitter Ajcharaporn Kongyot added 10 and 8 points respectively. Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi scored a match-high 22 points from 21 kills and one block on the Indonesia’s loss.
Thailand dominated in kills (45 to 38), blocks (7 to 6) and benefitted from more opponent errors (21 to 13), while Indonesia fared better in aces (3 to 2).
Thailand will play their last match against long-time archrivals Vietnam on Sunday to determine the eventual winners of the 4th SEA V. League Second Leg, while Indonesia will challenge Philippines in a match to decide the third place.
In the day’s first match earlier, Philippines still could not quite get past Vietnam, this time going down in straight sets to the well-organized rivals.
In-form Vietnam proved a class above the Philippines to take the first two sets 25-16, 25-20 before Philippines staged a third set fightback but mishaps in the endgame proved costly for them.
The third set was close, with the Brazilian coach Jorge Edson Sousa de Brito’s girls taking command to lead 15-13 lead following net violation from Vietnam. However, the AVC Challenge Cup champions and FIVB Challenger Cup bronze medallists scored three points in a row to retake the lead at 16-15 and widen it to 22-18.
The rhythm remained with the Vietnamese as middle blocker Nguyen Thi Trinh came up with a deadly fast attack to move the team to the set point at 24-20, but outside hitter Mhicaela Belen and middle blocker Cherry Rose Nunag saved the day for Philippines after powering a quick 2-0 run. Unfortunately, Belen went wide on her service that allowed Vietnam to wrap up the set 25-22 and match.
Outside hitter Vi Thi Nhu Quynh was the Vietnam’s most productive player, scoring 16 points from 13 kills and 3 blocks. Opposite and skipper Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen and Nguyen Thi Trinh contributed 12 and 9 points respectively. Outside hitter Faith Janine Shirley Nisperos was the lone Philippine player who reached double digits as she tallied 12 points, all in attack.
Meanwhile, Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC made it two on the trot in the single round-robin competition of the Pre-SEA V League title on Saturday.
Only three teams featuring hosts Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC, Singapore and Malaysia are competing in the Pre-SEA V. League, regarded as a tune-up tournament which offers the participating teams a chance to sharpen their skills, learn tactics and techniques as well as share their knowledge and strengthen cordial relationship. The match results of the three teams in the Pre-SEA V. League will not be taken into consideration for ranking and classification as competed in the SEA V. League Second Leg.
Nakhon Ratchasima, fresh from beating Malaysia 3-0, flexed their muscles on Saturday to beat Singapore with a lopsided 3-0 (25-12, 25-13, 25-11) win.
Nakhon Ratchasima had 6 points from two straight wins and look set to capture the Pre-SEA V. League.
Malaysia and Singapore had yet won a single point following their similar 0-3 loss to Nakhon Ratchasima. The two visiting teams will face off against each other on Sunday to determine the second and third places in the three-day competition.
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