Philippines go up against Thailand and Indonesia face off against Vietnam in the do-or-die semifinals
Bangkok, Thailand, May 12, 2023 – After three days of pool plays, Thailand and Vietnam became the only two unbeaten teams to remain on course for the title in the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA ) Games Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the Olympic Complex Indoor Main Hall in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Thailand, current world No.15 and consecutive two-time Asian silver medallists, made a perfect sweep in Pool A with all straight-set victories against Indonesia, Myanmar and Malaysia, while archrivals Vietnam also captured the top spot in Pool B with all straight-set wins against Singapore, Philippines and Cambodia.
In Pool A, Thailand, which captured the Asian crown in 2009 and 2013 aside from a 8-place finish at the last year’s FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League, sent a strong roster to the Phnom Penh-hosted SEA Games. They comprised those who played professional leagues overseas including hard-hitting Chatchu-on Moksri and Ajcharaporn Kongyot in Turkey and Thatdao Nuekjang, Hattaya Bamrungsuk, Thanacha Sooksod and Pimpichaya Kokram in Japan.
Reigning champions Thailand, which had already claimed 15 SEA Games titles to their name including successive 13 times kicked off their title defence campaign with an exceptional 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-16) win against the 1983 winners Indonesia on May 9, the opening day of the tournament.
In their second match the following day, the Thai team methodically tore the Myanmar defence apart with their mighty attacks to demolish the less-experienced rivals 3-0 (25-8, 25-8, 25-6) in a totally one-sided battle for two wins in a row.
In their last preliminary Pool A match on May 11, Thailand continued their winning streak to brush off Malaysia in another lopsided affair (25-12, 25-14, 25-15) to stay atop Pool A.
In Pool B, Vietnam fielded a formidable team which early this month made history for Vietnam volleyball. Playing under the Sport Center 1’s banner, they became the Vietnam’s first ever club to win the Asian Women’s Club Championship following their epic 3-2 comeback win on home soil against former consecutive two-time Thailand League champions Diamond Food Fine Chef-Air Force in the highly-anticipated final showdown at the packed 3,000-seater Vinh Phuc Gymnasium, ending the country’s 22-year gold medal drought since Vietnam made its debut in the 2001 championship as the host nation.
In the 32nd…
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