Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, August 11, 2024 – Thailand stamped their authority over the second leg of the 4th SEA V. League following their dramatic 3-1 win against long-time archrivals Vietnam in their last encounter for a clean sweep in the single round-robin competition at Chartchai Hall here on Sunday.
The fantastic 25-22, 25-17, 19-25, 25-15 victory in front of their home crowds of around 5,000 packing the competition venue gave current world No.14 and Asian champions Thailand a clean sweep of three straight wins which placed the host side at the top of the four-team standing with 9 points at the conclusion of the three-day contest on Sunday.
World No.32 Vietnam, which captured the AVC Challenge Cup title and the historic FIVB Challenger Cup bronze medal to their name, had 6 points from two wins against one loss to finish second place. Philippines came in third place with 3 points from one win agains two losses, with Indonesia on the bottom fourth position with one point from three losses in a row.
The final ranking of the second leg remained unchanged compared with the first leg the four participating teams had achieved at the Vinh Phuc Gymnasium in Vietnam last weekend as Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines had the podium finish in respective first, second and third places. Indonesia took the fourth place at both first leg and second leg.
Since the tournament inception in 2019, Thailand had captured all the titles out of seven contested in the round-robin, three-day competition. Indonesia came in second place in the first and second legs of the first edition in 2019, with Vietnam taking the remaining five. Philippines finished third position for four times including the latest two, while Indonesia took the remaining three.
Against the fast-improving Vietnam, which also held similar 2-0 win/loss record, Thailand fielded their strong lineup featuring setter Pornpun Guedpard, middle blocker and skipper Thatdao Nuekjang, another middle blocker Hattaya Bamrungsuk, opposite Pimpichaya Kokram and two outside hitters Ajcharaporn Kongyot and Chatchu-On Moksri, all of them were in the starting lineup at their VNL campaign this year.
Vietnam, despite missing team captain Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, remained strong offensively with the likes of powerful opposite Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen, who stands 188cm tall, hard-attacking Vi Thi Nhu Quynh, Tran Tu Linh and experienced setter Doan Thi Lam Oanh.
In the well-fought first set, Thailand made a solid start to…
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