Hanoi, IO – The Indonesian women’s national volleyball team kicked off the 2026 SEA V Women’s Cup with a defeat, losing 1-3 (21-25, 34-32, 21-25, 19-25) to Thailand at the Dong Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Friday, July 31.
Indonesia fielded its best lineup from the start: Namira Marandanti, Chelsa Berliana, Medi Yoku, Ersandrina Devega, Tisya Amallya, and Azzahra Dwi.
Thailand, strengthened by Ajcharaporn Kongyot, immediately applied pressure in the first set. Fast play, solid defense, and effective offense led Thailand to secure the opening set with a score of 25-21.
Indonesia put up a stronger fight in the second set. Both teams traded points until the match went beyond the 25-point limit.
The Red and White team ultimately won the second set with a dramatic score of 34-32. This result brought the match back to a 1-1 draw.
However, Thailand regained control in the third set. Ajcharaporn Kongyot and her teammates capitalized on several Indonesian errors to close out the set with a 25-21 victory.
Indonesia attempted to extend the match in the fourth set. However, Thailand maintained consistency and maintained their lead, winning 25-19.
Indonesian women’s national volleyball team manager Luciana Taroreh acknowledged that Thailand played a more solid, disciplined, and error-free game throughout the match.
“Thailand demonstrated their quality with solid, disciplined play and minimal errors,” said Taroreh after the match.
According to Taroreh, Indonesia was actually able to put pressure on Thailand in several phases of the match. This pressure was achieved through effective serving and a variety of attacks.
However, Indonesia was unable to maintain consistency. Several unforced errors at key points prevented them from maintaining the momentum they had built.
“Several unforced errors at crucial points prevented them from maintaining the momentum they had built,” she said.
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Although the match result wasn’t as expected, Luciana assessed that the players’ fighting spirit, hard work, and motivation remained intact until the end of the match.
The experience of facing Thailand was also considered crucial in the team-building process and in improving the players’ performance for the next match.
“The experience of facing Thailand is crucial for the team-building process and improving future performance,” she said.
Luciana said the coaching team and players are now focusing on evaluation before facing the host nation, Vietnam.
The Indonesian women’s national volleyball team will address a number of weaknesses while maintaining the players’ physical and mental condition to achieve better result.
“The team’s current focus is on improving areas of weakness and maintaining the players’ physical and mental condition to achieve better results,” Luciana said. (rp)
