Thailand try to block a spike from Vietnam
Yogyakarta, Indonesia, August 23, 2024 – Thailand and hosts Indonesia made solid starts at the 2024 SEA V. League Second Leg at UNY Sport Complex here on Friday, with the former overcoming the strong challenge from Vietnam and the latter surviving the first-set scare from Philippines for exceptional straight-set wins on action-packed Day 1 of the single round-robin competition.
Indonesia celebrate their victory against Philippines
Thailand, current world No.65 and winners at the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup, struggled to beat world No.55 Vietnam in intense three-setter 25-22, 25-22, 25-20, while world No.54 and 12-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games champions Indonesia demolished world No.64 Philippines in straight sets 26-24, 25-11, 25-15 on Friday.
Thailand, which captured the eventual title at the last weekend’s first leg at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila, Philippines with remarkable unbeaten record without dropping a set to their opponents, still brought their best players to the second leg in Yogyakarta including opposite Napadet Bhinijdee and veteran middle blocker Kissada Nilsawai, both of them landed the respective Best Outside Hitter and MVP at the first leg earlier, with high hopes of making it two on the trot.
Against the formidable Thailand in their opening clash in the second leg, Vietnam remained strong offensively with the likes of Pham Van Hiep, who took the Best Opposite Hitter at the first leg last weekend in Manila.
Thailand made a sluggish start with error-filled performance in the first set before hard-attacking Anurak Phamram broke the 0-6 deadlock with his exceptional attack to give Thailand the very first point in this match. After that, the Thai team gradually pulled their game together, with Napadet puncturing the Vietnamese defence into shreds with his off-the-block kills and Anurak and Chaiwat Thungkham firing cross-court from both wings to help the team level it at 19-19.
Thailand cruised on to reach the set point at 24-21, but Pham Van Hiep saved the day for Vietnam, overcoming the blockers with his fine attack. However, the Vietnam’s determination was short-lived as Chaiwat carried out a deadly hit to hand Thailand the first set 25-22.
After a difficult first set, Thailand came up with their outstanding performance in the second set to take an initial lead with a five-point clear at 13-8, but Tran Duy Tuyen’s effective fast attacks, powerful hits from Pham Van Hiep and solid…
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