Historic victory of Vietnamese women's volleyball: Defeating Thailand for the first time

In the final round 2 of SEA V.League held yesterday (August 10) at Ninh Binh Stadium, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team created a spectacular comeback to win 3-2 against the Thai women's volleyball team. In the history of Southeast Asian volleyball, the Vietnamese women's team has never defeated Thailand in official tournaments such as SEA Games or SEA V.League. Therefore, Vietnamese volleyball fans were overwhelmed with the impressive victory of coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet and his team.

PHOTO: SAVA

Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet wanted to surprise Thailand by sending setter Vo Thi Kim Thoa into the field from the start instead of the familiar face Doan Thi Lam Oanh. However, this change was not effective as the Vietnamese team was not effective in attacking and organizing defense well. In addition, the main striker Nguyen Thi Uyen played below her ability but the changes made by coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet were not effective either. That was also the reason why the Vietnamese team let Thailand, who had the return of Chatchu-on, take the lead 2-0.

Coach Tuan Kiet's substitution talent, the excellent comeback of Vietnamese women's volleyball

Facing the risk of losing to defending champion Thailand, coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet sent Vi Thi Nhu Quynh onto the field. This 23-year-old talent played better and better, helping the Vietnamese team have a more formidable attacker besides Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen, Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, Tran Thi Bich Thuy. Thanks to that, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team played explosively, equalizing the score to 2-2. In the decisive game 5, setter Lam Oanh made favorable passes for Bich Tuyen to effectively promote her attacking ability. With good jumping ability, Bich Tuyen continuously launched powerful smashes that penetrated the Thai team's defense. Shining brilliantly in the final, contributing greatly to helping the Vietnamese team come back to defeat Thailand with a score of 3-2 to win the championship, Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen deservedly received the double title of best opposite setter and best player of the tournament. Although she does not play regularly, her important performance in the decisive match against Thailand helped Vi Thi Nhu Quynh be awarded the title of excellent main striker. Meanwhile, with her stable performance, Tran Thi Bich Thuy was awarded the title of excellent supporting striker.

After the tense, "restless" moments of the match, coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet smiled with satisfaction after his players overthrew the Thai team. "In the first leg, the Vietnamese team lost to Thailand 2-3 and felt the possibility of defeating their opponents in the second leg. That was the goal, but we have to admit that Thailand was still a little better, each Vietnamese player had to play to their best to achieve the goal. The players played with dedication, effort, and emotion. There were times when the Vietnamese players encountered difficulties and made mistakes, but they overcame everything, fought together, and shone at the right time to win. They can be proud of making history for Vietnamese volleyball," coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet shared.

Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet also said that the championship title of the second stage of SEA V.League is the motivation for the Vietnamese women's volleyball team to aim for new upcoming goals, especially the 33rd SEA Games in December in Thailand.