Thailand Achieves Runner-Up Spot in SEA V League

The Thai men`s national volleyball team, benefiting significantly from the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program, achieved an impressive second-place finish in the recent Southeast Asian Volleyball League (SEA V League). Indonesia ultimately secured the top position, while Vietnam clinched third place.

This year`s SEA V League competition brought together five men`s national teams. They competed through two intensive single round-robin tournaments, which spanned two weeks. The first leg was hosted in Candon, Philippines, and the second took place in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The Thailand Volleyball Association has received substantial financial backing through the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment initiative. This support includes a total of USD 210,000 designated for coaching assistance for their men`s national team, currently under the expert guidance of the renowned Korean player and coach, Park Ki-Won. Furthermore, the team has also been allocated USD 138,000 worth of new volleyball equipment, boosting their resources considerably.

Thailand showcased strong form by triumphing in the first tournament held in the Philippines, concluding with an excellent 3-1 win-loss record. They secured decisive victories against Indonesia, the Philippines, and Cambodia, with their sole defeat coming against Vietnam in a four-set match. In the second tournament held in Indonesia, their campaign started with a solid four-set win over Cambodia. However, they were narrowly defeated by Vietnam once more, this time in a thrilling tie-breaker. Following this, two intense five-set battles ensued. Thailand celebrated a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Philippines, which set the stage for a crucial encounter against host nation Indonesia in a direct contest for the leading position in the overall standings.

In a dramatic final match, the Indonesian home team clinched a hard-fought 3-2 victory (27-29, 25-15, 25-23, 22-25, 15-13). This win not only crowned them champions of the second round-robin tournament, much to the excitement of the five thousand Indonesian fans in attendance, but also propelled them to the top of the overall standings with an impressive 7-1 win-loss record and 18 points. As a result, Thailand concluded the league as runners-up, holding a 5-3 record and 16 points. Vietnam secured third place with 5-3 and 15 points, followed by the Philippines in fourth with 3-5 and 8 points. Newcomers Cambodia finished at the bottom of the table, with a challenging 0-8 record and 1 point.