Must Be Satisfied In Second Position AVC Challenge Cup 2023, Coach Of The Indonesian Women's Volleyball National Team: Already Give The Best

Indonesian women's volleyball national team. (Photo via Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian women's volleyball national team failed to realize the mission to become champions at the AVC Challenge Cup 2023. In the final which took place at GOR Tridharma Petrokimia Gresik, East Java, Sunday, June 25, evening, the Red and White Squad lost to Vietnam 2-3 (18-25, 27-25, 25-21, 20-25, 13-15).

This result repeats the defeat that Megawati Hanggestri and friends from Vietnam experienced in the 2023 SEA Games semifinals in Cambodia, last May. The material for Indonesian and Vietnamese players competing in the 2023 AVC Challenge final is also almost the same as during the match in Cambodia.

Even then, Indonesia lost by a score of 2-3.

"The key is that in the fourth set, we were three points ahead (9-6), but after that the smash from the open ball didn't work and the opponent could equalize the score," said Indonesian national team coach Alim Suseno after the match.

Despite losing, Alim still praised the game of his team who were fighting all out to fight Vietnam. "The children have given their best," he said, as quoted by Antara.

Competing in front of around 3,000 supporters who met Tridharma's GOR, Indonesia actually appeared underdeveloped in the first set. Although the number was tight up to 11-11, after that Vietnam actually pressed and got 11 consecutive points to lead 22-11.

Being left behind very far has made it difficult for the hosts to catch up and Vietnam also took the opening set.

In the second set, Alim Suseno made a slight change by pulling out Mediol Stivanny Yoku and including Aulia Suci Nurfadila. This change is quite successful and Indonesia can be a little superior in scoring.

The host's supporting heart was made dag-dig when Vietnam, which trailed 21-23, could force twice the braces 24-24 and 25-25. However, Megawati finally became a savior and brought the Red and White team to the second set to equalize.

The second set of wins made the motivation for Indonesian players to increase and appear more solid in the third set. Megawati remains the motor of attack and brings her team far ahead 15-7. Vietnam did not give up and tried to catch up, but Indonesia won the set again.

In the lead set 2-1 position, coach Alim Suseno's team looked more comfortable playing in the fourth set and had a 9-5 lead. However, that momentum failed to be maintained and Vietnam could catch up 9-9.

After that, the game was tight, but Vietnam could take advantage of the mistakes and fatigue of the home players to take the lead 13-11 and continue to maintain the situation until they win the fourth set.

The fifth match was fierce. Vietnam took the 7-4 lead first, but Indonesia followed and equalized the score 7-7 until the opponent took the 8-7 lead again when there was a field shift.

Vietnam, which relies on Than Thin Thanh Thuy and Hoang Thi Kieu, has increased its 9-7 advantage, but Indonesia can catch up 9-9, one of which is through Megawati's smash.

However, Vietnam did not lose focus in the midst of cheers from supporters of the host. They again won 11-9 and after that they were no longer overtaken until they ended Indonesia's resistance to win the title.

With a donation of 23 points for Vietnam's victory, Than Thin Thanh Thuy was named the most variable player and best wing hitter. Meanwhile, his colleague, Doan Thi Lam Oanh, won the best setter award and Dinh Thi Tra Giang as the best middle blocker.

From the Indonesian camp, Megawati Hangestri, who scored 34 points, won the best opposite award, Wilda Siti Nurfadillah (best middle blocker) and Yulis Indahyani (best libero). Another best exit hitter award was awarded to Taiwanese player Wu Fang Yu.