Hosts Thailand and Vietnam kicked off their campaigns in the third Southeast Asian Women’s Volleyball League (SEA V. League) Second Leg with convincing straight sets against respective Philippines and Indonesia at the packed 3,000-seater gymnasium inside the Chiang Mai 700th Anniversary Sports Complex on Friday.
However, the highlight of the action-packed Day 1 was the first match between Vietnam and Indonesia. Regarded as the final rematch of the AVC Challenge Cup in Indonesia early this year, Vietnam had already proved that they are stronger to pull off a sensational 3-1 win against the Indonesians at the last week’s First Leg in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam.
However, some might say that things would never be the same this time. More than half of the Vietnamese players in the team including star spiker Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, who landed the Best Outside Hitter in the First Leg Vinh Phuc, Hoang Thị Kieu Trinh the Best Opposite Spiker, and Doan Thị Lam Oanh the Best Setter have a busy schedule at home whey they have to compete for their own clubs in the VTV Cup from August 19 to 26 in Lao Cai Province, Vietnam and could not join the fray this time in Chiang Mai.
Therefore, it was earlier expected that Indonesia would seize this advantage to play a good match and stood a better chance to beat Vietnam, which sent a mixture of some experienced seniors and young talents.
However, the Vietnamese proved them wrong. Fielding a formidable lineup led by Vi Thi Nhu Quynh, Tran Thi Bich Thuy and Ly Thi Luyen, three of them competed in the First Leg Vinh Phuc, Vietnam, current world No.47 and AVC Challenge Cup winners, did it in memorable fashion.
Though challenged by the determined Indonesia, strengthened by hard-hitting Ratri Wulandari, Agustina Wulandhari and Hany Budiarti, the Vietnamese found their best game against the rivals to win the first two sets 25-19, 25-22. The Vietnamese still proved much better in the deciding moments of the match to capture the third set, which turned out to be totally one-sided affair, 25-10 and match.
Vi Thi Nhu Quynh was a key player in the Vietnam’s victory. She was a scoring force for the Vietnamese, leaving the court with a match-high 18 points from 17 kills and one block. Hany Budiarti led Indonesia with 14 points including 12 attacks from 32 attempts.
The second match between Thailand and Philippines saw the Coach Danai Sriwacharamaytakul’s lineup shuffle continue in the Second Leg. Ajcharaporn Kongyot, who…
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