Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, August 9, 2024 – Vi Thi Nhu Quynh and Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen steered Vietnam to dramatic 3-1 win against Indonesia, as perennial Southeast Asian (SEA) Games champions and hosts Thailand made a solid start in the 4th SEA V. League Second Leg at Chartchai Hall with straight-set win against Philippines on Friday.
On action-packed Day 1 of the single round-robin competition, current world No.32 Vietnam, which finished second place at the First Leg on home soil in Vinh Phuc last weekend, powered past Indonesia 3-1 (25-15, 15-25, 25-21, 25-21), while Thailand, fresh from capturing the First Leg title, demolished Philippines 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-16).
In the Second Leg here, Vietnam are playing without their key player and team captain Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, who is missing all Second Leg matches due to undisclosed reasons. Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen stepped up to replace the missing Tran Thi Thanh Thuy as team captain.
Against Indonesia, the team they had already beaten 3-0 at the last week’s First Leg, the Vietnamese side got off to a flying start with a comfortable win in the lopsided first set 25-15. Outside hitter Vi Thi Nhu Quynh was a consistent weapon for the team to fire an incredible 10 points in this set when Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen’s offense was pushed to the limit by the opponents.
Conceding one set, Indonesia hit back in the second set, with opposite Pertiwi Megawati Hangestri on fire, unleashing powerful attacks to help her team take an initial 15-8 lead. Despite a brave fightback, the Indonesians showed their consistency and resilience and widened the gap to 17-11 and cruised on to take the set 25-15.
The third set was closely-contested which saw the score leveled at 15-15 before Vietnam tightened their defense and attacked powerfully to score three points in a row and lead 18-15. As Vietnam were leading 23-20, an attack from Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen went out wide and Indonesia reduced the gap at 21-23.
However, their delight did not last long as Vi Thi Nhu Quynh brought Vietnam to the set point 24-21 with her off-the-block kill before Indonesian outsider Junaida Santi carried out an attack which went too far and out of bounds. Vietnam took the set 25-21.
The fourth set was dominated by Vietnam, while the Indonesians fought hard to overtake the strong opponents. Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen produced a beautiful drop to move Vietnam ahead commandingly 21-18, but shortly after that Indonesia maintained their offensive system…
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