Embattled Thailand survived a huge scare against AVC Challenge Cup winners Vietnam to stun the host side and cheering home fans jampacking the Vinh Phuc Gymnasium with terrific comeback win in their last match of the 3rd Southeast Asian Women’s Volleyball League (SEA V. League) First Leg in Vinh Phuc on Sunday.
The dramatic 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 28-26, 25-17) victory handed Thailand a clean sweep in the single round-robin tournament in Vietnam and remarkable unbeaten record in the SEA V. League (formerly known as Asean Grand Prix) history since the tournament inception in 2019.
Against hosts Vietnam, which also captured the 2023 Asian Women’s Club Championship under the Sport Center 1’s banner at this competition venue, Thailand fielded a formidable lineup including three star spikers Chatchu-On Moksri, Ajcharaporn Kongyot and Thatdao Nuekjang in the first set. Vietnam also remained offensively strong with the likes of sensation Tran Thi Thanh Thuy.
Cheered boisterously by over 3,200 home fans inside the competition venue, Vietnam got off to a great start, with Hoang Thi Kieu Trinh, Tran Tu Linh and Tran Thi Thanh Thuy joining forces in penetrating the Thai defence with their spectacular attacks to lead the team to an early lead with a six-point clear at 11-5.
Although Thailand were able to put their act back together and catch up at 21-21, that was as far as they could get in this set. Vietnam went on their good show to extend it to 24-21, allowing the strong visitors only one more point from sub-in Pimpichaya Kokram to clinch the opening set 25-22, much to the home fans’ delight.
The second set was initially dominated by Vietnam, with Hoang Thi Kieu Trinh and Tran Thi Thanh Thuy on fire in attack to put the team in front 10-6. However, brilliantly led by Chatchu-On and Ajcharaporn, the Thai side gradually wiped out their deficit to catch up the close rivals at 10-10. Both sides traded fierce attacks after that, but Thailand advanced 23-19, thanks to Sasipapron Janthawisut’s superb form including her powerful jump serves. A moment later, rising star Wimonrat Thanapan hit an overpass to hand Thailand a set point at 24-19, but a service mistake by Sasipaporn gave Vietnam a slim chance of comeback. Still, the hosts’ hope died fast as Pimpichaya landed a kill for the Thailand’s 25-20 win in the set.
The competition intensified in the third set as both sides traded points from the beginning to tie the score at 10-10, but Hoang Thi Kieu…
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