Hosts Thailand and Vietnam kicked off their campaigns in the third Southeast Asian Women’s Volleyball League (SEA V. League) Second Leg with convincing straight sets against respective Philippines and Indonesia at the packed 3,000-seater gymnasium inside the Chiang Mai 700th Anniversary Sports Complex on Friday.
However, the highlight of the action-packed Day 1 was the first match between Vietnam and Indonesia. Regarded as the final rematch of the AVC Challenge Cup in Indonesia early this year, Vietnam had already proved that they are stronger to pull off a sensational 3-1 win against the Indonesians at the last week’s First Leg in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam.
However, some might say that things would never be the same this time. More than half of the Vietnamese players in the team including star spiker Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, who landed the Best Outside Hitter in the First Leg Vinh Phuc, Hoang Thị Kieu Trinh the Best Opposite Spiker, and Doan Thị Lam Oanh the Best Setter have a busy schedule at home whey they have to compete for their own clubs in the VTV Cup from August 19 to 26 in Lao Cai Province, Vietnam and could not join the fray this time in Chiang Mai.
Therefore, it was earlier expected that Indonesia would seize this advantage to play a good match and stood a better chance to beat Vietnam, which sent a mixture of some experienced seniors and young talents.
However, the Vietnamese proved them wrong. Fielding a formidable lineup led by Vi Thi Nhu Quynh, Tran Thi Bich Thuy and Ly Thi Luyen, three of them competed in the First Leg Vinh Phuc, Vietnam, current world No.47 and AVC Challenge Cup winners, did it in memorable fashion.
Though challenged by the determined Indonesia, strengthened by hard-hitting Ratri Wulandari, Agustina Wulandhari and Hany Budiarti, the Vietnamese found their best game against the rivals to win the first two sets 25-19, 25-22. The Vietnamese still proved much better in the deciding moments of the match to capture the third set, which turned out to be totally one-sided affair, 25-10 and match.
Vi Thi Nhu Quynh was a key player in the Vietnam’s victory. She was a scoring force for the Vietnamese, leaving the court with a match-high 18 points from 17 kills and one block. Hany Budiarti led Indonesia with 14 points including 12 attacks from 32 attempts.
The second match between Thailand and Philippines saw the Coach Danai Sriwacharamaytakul’s lineup shuffle continue in the Second Leg. Ajcharaporn Kongyot, who competed in Turkish League in the recent season, led the Thailand’s charge in the first set. The squad also included Wimonrat Thanapan, Sasipapron Janthawisut, Jarasporn Bandasak, who joined Denso Airybees in the Japan V. League during 2021-2022 season, setter Pornpun Guedpard, who played in Romania last season, and Natthimar Kubkaew, who was just called in to join the Thailand senior national team for the first time.
Philippines fielded the same roster as the last week’s First Leg in Vinh Phuc. Represented by National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs-laden national team, Philippines were solid offensively with Mhicaela Belen, the UAAP Season 84 Rookie-MVP, and Alyssa Solomon, Best Opposite Spiker, the mainstays.
Inspired by the fantastic support from over 3,200 home fans at the packed competition site, Thailand made their mark to take the comfortable first set 25-15, thanks to their spectacular attacks from Sasipapron and Natthimar and thundering fast spikes from Jarasporn.
In the second set, Pimpichaya Kokram and Chatchu-on Moksri led the Thailand’s offense. Sutadta Chuewulim, Tichakorn Boonlert and second setter Donphon Sinpho also included in the starting lineup, with Jarasporn remaining at the helm.
Thailand stormed into the set with a lot of power and enthusiasm. With Chatchu-on, Pimpichaya and Sutadta on fire in attack, the host side gained the upper hand to capture the early lead with a six-point clear at 16-10. Philippines fought back hard, but found the Thai team too hot to handle to go down 17-25 in the set.
In the third set, Thailand fielded Thatdao Nuekjang, who competed in Japan V. League in the last season, Natthimar, Sasipapron, Ajcharaporn, Wimonrat and setter Donphon, while Solomon remained a key player for Philippines to be reckoned with in this match.
As expected, fired-up Thailand dominated the on-going battle. Ajcharaporn, Sasipapron, Wimonrat and Thatdao took turns penetrating the Philippine defence with their powerful attacks. Although Philippines pulled their game together, hoping for a comeback, the hosts blunted the rivals’ strong challenge. Thailand fought on their combination attacks with confidence and resilience. Their attempts were handsomely rewarded moments later with the exceptional 25-18 win in the set.
Natthimar Kubkaew delivered 13 points from 11 attacks and two blocks for Thailand, while Sasipapron Janthawisut and Jarasporn Bundasak added 7 points each for the team’s victory. Alyssa Solomon led Philippines with 13 points including 12 attacks from 33 attempts.
After the opening day, Thailand went atop the four-team standing with 3 points. Vietnam also had the similar performance to claim 3 points from a straight-set win against Indonesia. However, Thailand captured the pole position, courtesy of the better points ratio. First-day losers Indonesia and Philippines came in third and fourth places respectively.
On Saturday, Vietnam take on Philippines at 12pm local time, while Indonesia go up against Thailand at 3pm, three hours ahead of the normal schedule as August 12 marks the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother and is celebrated every year in Thailand as Mother’s Day, another national holiday in the country.
The organisers had moved the match schedule three hours ahead to make this day an extra special one in order that all volleyball enthusiasts will have more times to join the Mother’s Day, celebrating the special bond between a mother and her children. In Thailand, children get garlands and bouquets of jasmine flowers for their mothers on this day, going out for lunch together and spending happy time with each other.
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