Thailand and Indonesia punched their tickets to the SEA V Cup semifinals after producing convincing straight-set victories on Thursday, July 16, at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur. The regional powerhouses stayed on course for the title with dominant performances against Myanmar and Cambodia.

Thailand swept Myanmar, 25-15, 25-16, 25-19, while Indonesia overwhelmed Cambodia, 25-18, 25-18, 25-21. Both teams remained among the tournament favorites as the race for the championship intensified.

Thailand Stays Unbeaten

Thailand needed just over an hour to dispatch Myanmar and improve to 2-0 in Pool B. The defending champions looked far more comfortable than in their opening four-set victory over Vietnam and never allowed Myanmar to gain momentum.

Nadapet Bhinijdee led Thailand with 17 points built on 13 attacks, two blocks and two aces. Chaiwat Thungkham added 10 points on nine attacks and one ace as the Thais controlled the match from start to finish.

The victory secured Thailand’s place in the semifinals, leaving Vietnam and Myanmar to battle for the remaining qualification spot from Pool B. Thailand will now enjoy a rest day before returning for the knockout stage.

“We got three points today, we hit our goal,” Thungkham said through an interpreter. “We are very happy with these two games, this boosts our confidence for the next round.”

The Thai star added that the team remains focused on taking the competition one match at a time. “We look at it game by game, we focus on just that. One game, one game, and then the next, until the final,” he said.

Indonesia Opens Strongly

Indonesia also made an emphatic start to its SEA V Cup campaign by sweeping Cambodia in straight sets. The reigning AVC Men’s Cup champion fielded nearly the same lineup that captured the continental title and quickly showed why it remains one of the tournament favorites.

Boy Arabi paced Indonesia with 14 points from 11 attacks and three blocks. Halim Farhan contributed 13 points highlighted by five service aces, while middle blocker Hendra Kurniawan finished with 12 points on five attacks, four aces and three blocks.

Cambodia dropped to 1-1 despite a solid effort from Voeurn Veasna, who scored 10 points on six attacks and four aces. The loss came after Cambodia opened the tournament with a five-set victory over the Philippines.

Attention now shifts to Friday’s Pool A showdown between Indonesia and Alas Pilipinas. The Philippines will be looking to bounce back from its opening loss and keep its semifinal hopes alive against one of Southeast Asia’s volleyball powerhouses.