Thailand celebrate their first win against Indonesia
Manila, Philippines, August 16, 2024 – In-form Thailand stunned defending and consecutive three-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games champions Indonesia in well-fought three-setter, as hosts Philippines, with new Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni at the helm, survived a huge scare from Vietnam to win the country’s first-ever victory since the inaugural two-leg SEA Men’s V. League got off the ground last year.
Philippines in victory celebration
The first leg of the 2024 SEA V. League, the second edition of the men’s event, kicked off on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium here, with current world No.53 Indonesia back to defend their title achieved in both first leg on their home soil and second leg in Philippines last year.
The 2023 AVC Challenge Cup winners Thailand brought their best players to this year’s SEA V. League campaign with the likes of Napadet Bhinijdee, who played with Jakarta Garuda Jaya in Indonesian Men’s Proliga in 2023-2024 season, Anurak Phanram, who landed the Best Outside Spiker at the last year’s first leg in Indonesia to his name, veteran Kissada Nilsawai, Chaiwat Thungkham and Anuchit Pakdeekaew.
Indonesia had only six players who were instrumental in helping the team make a clean sweep of both legs last year. They were Boy Arnez Arabi, Hendra Kurniawan, who took the Best Middle Blocker in both first leg and second leg last year, Fahri Septian Putratama, who captured the MVP at the first leg, Farhan Halim, who landed the MVP at the second leg, setter and skipper Dio Zulifikri and libero Prasojo.
Spectacular attacks from Anurak and Chaiwat and fast spikes from Kissada led world No.62 Thailand to the flawless start with 25-21 win in the first set. Indonesia’s main attackers including opposite Anggara Agil Angga and outside hitter Farhan also rose to the occasion and thrived in the impressive offensive system orchestrated by setter Dio Zulfikri, with Angga registering 8 points in this set. However, their determination was short-lived as the Thai team performed well to foil the opponents’ attacking efforts.
Both sides locked horns in a very tight contest in the second set. However, with Napadet, Anurak and Chaiwat on fire in attack and the 202cm-tall Kissada overcoming the smaller blockers with his lightning-fast spikes, Thailand took the hard-fought second set 25-23.
The rhythm remained with the Thai team in the third set. Although Indonesia regained their…
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