Chonburi, Thailand – Host country Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines won over their respective opponents to open the women’s beach volleyball competition of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games held in Jomtien Beach, Chonburi, Thailand.
The beach volleyball programme follows a country vs. country format, as each National Olympic Committee is represented by two teams. If matches are split, a Golden Match is played to break the tie.
The home teams did not need to go to a Golden Match on Friday morning. Thailand 1 Worapeerachayakorn/Naraphornrapat defeated Malaysia 1 Aina/Aishah, 2-0 (21-7, 21-9). The second team Udomchavee/Numwong likewise won over Malaysia 2 Tasha/Auni with 2-0 (21-13, 19-21, 15-7).
Vietnam cruised through their matches over Singapore, staging sweeps on both occasions. D.T.M. Nga/M.H. Hanh (VIE 1) triumphed over Chong E.H.H./Chan T.W. (SGP 1) in straight sets 2-0 (21-15, 21-7), while C.N.Lan/N.L.T.T. Vy (VIE 2) also won over Lee X.E.V./Ang H.Y. (SGP 2), 2-0 (21-10, 21-8).
Meanwhile, the Philippines battled through tough competition against Indonesia on Friday. Rondina/Pons (PHI 1) needed the tie-break to win over Desi/Nur Atika (INA 1), 2-1 (21-16, 18-21, 15-10). Later, Indonesia forced a Golden Match as Josephine/Bernadette Shella (INA 2) ran a reverse sweep on Rodriguez/Villapando (PHI 2), 2-1 (12-21, 21-19, 15-13).
Philippines and Indonesia reverted to their first teams, who likewise needed the decider. In the early stages of the third set, Indonesia’s Ratnasari Desi suffered a mishap and used up the allowed medical time-out, but went back to the sandcourt while visibly playing hurt. She helped push Indonesia to several match points, but later succumbed to Philippines’ 2-1 victory (15-21 21-16 18-16).
With six countries in the registry, the women’s competition will run on a single-round robin format, with the top 4 ranking teams heading into the medal matches scheduled on Friday, December 19.