Story by Jiexin Neo/Red Sports. Photos by Clara Yuan/Red Sports
Kingsley Tay (#2) of Singapore spikes the ball past Thailand players. (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)
OCBC Arena, Saturday, June 13, 2015 — Singapore lost 0–3 to Vietnam in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games to finish the volleyball tournament winless in three games.
Vietnam led most of the first set and Singapore trailed 15–22 when a time-out was called. After the short break, Singapore tried to close the gap but Vietnam outscored the hosts 3–2 to take the first set 25–17.
Kingsley Tay’s timely block at the net allowed Singapore to take the first point, but Vietnam spiked one to level (1–1). Both teams then alternated at scoring, bringing the set to 7–7. Singapore fought to trim the deficit towards the end of the set, but Vietnam eventually took the second set 25–18.
The visitors took down three points straight to start off the third set. Mistakes from the Singapore side subsequently allowed Vietnam a nine-point lead at 10–19.
Even so, the home crowd spurred the team on to continue fighting. Singapore chased the points to trail four points at one point (18–22), but could not stop Vietnam from wrapping up the win.
Singapore’s captain, Javier said, “We set out wanting to play our best, set by set, after every set we set a higher score that we want to achieve. If you look at the score, we improved from 17 to 20. I think even Cambodia didn’t manage to get close to 20. We hope with more training, more strengthening, we’ll be able to do better.”
On his SEA Games experience, Javier added, “It think it’s a very very good exposure for the men’s team. Most of them have not played in any international competition before, so any exposure is beneficial. Technically the players we have, they are one of the best players. They are not really exposed to playing against players who are better than them. This SEA Games is really an eye opener for every one of us.”
“I think my whole SEA Games experience was awesome. How they gathered all the players together and work together, it’s not easy but I’m glad to say we have actually done our country proud. I feel that skills-wise, for both teams, obviously Vietnam is better than us. But then I’m glad that we could put up a good fight and show the Singapore fighting spirit,” said Kingsley. “I think the crowd is fantastic. Whenever Singapore win points they’ll roar and scream for Singapore. On the court, I personally feel very motivated.”
Scoring by set
Singapore vs Vietnam
1st set: 17–25
2nd set: 18–25
3rd set: 20–25
Singapore roster
Kingsley Tay (#2), Javier Poon (#3), Ronald Goh (#4), Benjamin Choo (#7), Wong Wei Zhi (#8), Jordan Toh (#9), Lim Jie Liang (#12), Daryl Lee (#13), Eng Sin Hau (#14), Edward Lai (#16), Lim Xuan Zheng (#19), Melvin Goh (#20)
Vietnam roster
Xuan Thanh Nguyen (#2), Van Duc Giang (#3), Hoang Thuong Nguyen (#4), Cong Chien Nguyen (#5), Long Kiem Dang (#6), Quang Khanh Le (#7), Hong Quan Vu (#8), Van Du Nguyen (#9), Vu Hoang Nguyen (#11), Van Sang Nyugen (#12), Huu Ha Nguyen (#13), Thanh Thuan Tu (#14)
2015 SEA Games Volleyball – fixtures and results
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