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…
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