Teams supported by FIVB Volleyball Empowerment dominate ongoing SEA Games

Indonesia led national teams supported by the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme in dominating the ongoing Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Cambodia.

Three out of four top ranked men’s national volleyball teams at this year’s SEA Games are beneficiaries of Volleyball Empowerment coach support, namely champions Indonesia, silver medallist Cambodia and fourth-placed Thailand.

A packed 5,000-seater Olympic Complex Indoor Main Hall in Phnom Penh, the venue of the ongoing 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia. (Photo credits: CAMBODIA 2023 SEA GAMES)

The FIVB has invested a combined total of CHF 275,000 into coach support for the three countries, with the aim of helping their men’s national teams achieve their full potential.

Earlier this week, Indonesia successfully defended their title after beating hosts Cambodia in straight sets 3-0 (25-21, 25-10, 25-15) at the packed 5,000-seater Olympic Complex Indoor Main Hall in Phnom Penh.

Star spiker Rivan Nurmulki scored a game-high 22 points (21 kills, one block) with Farhan Halim adding 19 points (10 kills, 8 aces, 1 block). Sarun Pin replied for the hosts with 9 points to settle for the silver medal.

Indonesia and Cambodia square it out at the ongoing SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (Photo credits: CAMBODIA 2023 SEA GAMES)

It was an improved performance from the Cambodian team, who took bronze at the previous edition of SEA Games. The home team reached the final for the first time in 40 years under the guidance of Chinese coach Li Jun.

For Indonesia, it was their third consecutive gold medal at the SEA Games following victories in 2019 and 2021. Overall, it was their 12th title delivered by Chinese coach Jiang Jie with the team also winning this year’s competition unbeaten and without dropping a single set.

To qualify for the final, Cambodia rallied from two sets down to stun Thailand 3-2 (18-25,21-25,25-21,25-16,15-10) in the semi-finals while Indonesia beat Vietnam 3-0 (30-28,25-19, 25-18).

Vietnam, who had lost to Thailand 3-1 in the preliminary rounds, picked themselves up to claim the bronze medal with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-20) win.