Teregold: HOSTS VIETNAM, THAILAND OFF TO WINNING STARTS ON DAY 1 OF SEA V. LEAGUE FIRST LEG IN VINH PHUC

Thailand kicked off their title defence in the 3rd Southeast Asian Women’s Volleyball League with a hard-fought straight-set win against Indonesia, as hosts Vietnam delighted a huge crowd of home fans inside the Vinh Phuc Gymnasium with a dramatic 3-1 victory against Philippines on Friday.

Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam are strutting their stuff in the first leg of a two-legged volleyball tournament, vying for top honor and cash prizes. The first leg is now underway in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam between August 4 and 6, with the second leg taking place at the 3,000-seater gymnasium inside the 700th Anniversary Chiang Mai Sports Complex in Chiang Mai, a northern city in Thailand from August 11 to 13.

Thailand, current world No.15 and consecutive two-time Asian silver medallists, overcame a strong Indonesia, which posed stiff challenges throughout the whole match, to power past the lower-ranked opponents in closely-contested three-setter 26-24, 26-24, 25-20.

Vietnam, which had captured the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup and the 2023 Asian Women’s Club Championship under the Sport Center 1’s banner to their name, also made their mark on the opening day of the single round-robin tournament to pull off dramatic 3-1 (25-15, 19-25, 25-21, 25-9) win against Philippines.

Thailand had a well-constructed roster in Vinh Phuc, making them the strongest contender for the first leg title. The team include Ajcharaporn Kongyot and Chatchu-On Moksri, both of whom competed professionally in Turkish League in the previous season, Pimpichaya Kokram, Thanacha Sooksod, Thatdao Nuekjang and Jarasporn Bandasak, four of them played in Japan V. League and setter Pornpun Guedpard joined CS Rapid Bucuresti in Romania.

In the other hand, Indonesia, current world No.58 which picked up silver medal in the recent AVC Challenge Cup on home soil, sent a well-trained team whose most players competed in domestic league in the previous season. Interestingly, the Indonesians are playing in the first leg in Vinh Phuc without Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi. The 185cm-tall key player had contributed highest scores and steered Indonesia to stunning five-set win in the semifinal clash against Vietnam in the 2017 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Malaysia, helping the Indonesians qualify for the final showdown for the first time in 26 years.

Intent on allowing his players opportunities to sharpen their skill in their preparation for three major competitions later this year including the 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship in Thailand and the Paris 2024 Olympic Qualification Tournament Pool C in Poland, Thailand head coach Danai Sriwacharamaytakul fielded every player in this very first match.

However, it seemed things to turn sour for the Thai team as they struggled hard against the in-form Indonesians. With Thanacha, Ajcharaporn and Wimonrat Thanapan on fire in attack, Thailand made a solid start in the first set to take an initial lead with a three-point clear at 15-12. However, Hany Budiarti and captain Wilda Siti Nur Fadhilah gave the Indonesians a strong challenge to help the determined team level at 20-20 and 24-24. Fortunately, thanks to the greater experience of their players, Thailand took the close first set 26-24.

The second set was a similar script with expect upheaval in the Thailand team as the lineup shuffle continued. Chatchu-On, Wipawee Srithong, Thichakorn Boonlert and Jarasporn were sent in to strengthen the team. However, the difficult situation remained unchanged in this set as Indonesia fought hard to the fullest. Trailing 12-15, Indonesia scored three points in a row to make it even at 15-15. Thailand managed to hold on to their advantage and put away to crucially lead 24-22, needing only one more point to wrap up the set, but the Indonesians counter-attacked well to level it at 24-24. Wilda committed a fault in setting to help put the Thais in front 25-24 and Pimpichaya successfully blocked Wulandari Ratri for the Thailand’s eventual 26-24 win in the hard-fought set.

The third set was tight with both teams played neck and neck. Leveling at 18-18, Thailand surged away to lead 23-20 and never looked back from then on to capture the thrilling set 25-20 and match.

Thanacha Sooksood chipped in with 16 points from 12 attacks and team-leading 4 blocks for Thailand, while Hany Budiarti and Wulandari Ratri led Indonesia with 12 points each.

In the second encounter in front of over 2,800 home fans, Vietnam, which made their presence felt at the recent FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup in Laval, France, proved a class above Philippines, which sent their National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs-laden national team, led by Mhicaela Belen, the UAAP Season 84 Rookie-MVP, and Alyssa Solomon, Best Opposite Spiker.

Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, who took the Best Outside Player and MVP awards at the AVC Challenge Cup in Indonesia, and Hoang Thi Kieu Trinh led Vietnam to the comfortable 25-15 win in the first set. The host side rested Tran Thi Thanh Thuy in the second set, allowing the Philippines a successful comeback to win 25-19.

After holding 1-1, Philippines tried hard to continue their impressive performance, but found the going got tough with the Vietnamese turning the heat on. Tran Thi Thanh Thuy tore the Philippine defence into shreds with her exceptional attacks to steer the host side to the remaining two-set wins 25-21 and 25-9.

Tran Thi Thanh Thuy and Hoang Thi Kieu Trinh were the two productive players of Vietnam to score 19 points apiece, while Solomon and Belen fared well to deliver 16 points each on the Philippines’ loss.

On Saturday, Thailand will take on the Philippines, with hosts Vietnam challenging Indonesia in a final rematch of the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup.