The Vietnamese women's volleyball team (Photo: AVC)
The Vietnamese women's volleyball team has been participating in the 2023 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship, and for the first time in their history, they have advanced to the semifinals, solidifying their status among the elite of Asian volleyball.
Three remarkable milestones
The Vietnamese women's volleyball team began their journey in 2023 by participating in the 2023 Asian Women's Club Volleyball Cup held in Vinh Phuc in April. Under the name Sport Center 1, the team's primary objective was to gain valuable experience and prepare professionally ahead of the 32nd SEA Games. However, they astounded fans and the Asian volleyball community by reaching the final and defeating Thailand's Diamond Food-Fine Chef team with a thrilling score of 3-2 (21/25, 17/25, 25/20, 25/22, 15/10).
This historic victory marked the first time a Vietnamese women's team became champions in the Asian Women's Club Volleyball Cup. More remarkably, this championship win has earned the Vietnamese women's volleyball team the privilege of representing Asia in the 2023 FIVB Women's Club World Championship, scheduled to be held in China in December 2023.
The Vietnamese women’s volleyball team’s journey began on a promising note, and they continued to shine, achieving favorable outcomes in later tournaments. The second remarkable achievement for the Vietnamese women's volleyball team was their participation in the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup, where they emerged as champions in June 2023, securing a spot in the 2023 FIVB Challenge Cup.
During the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup, in their inaugural appearance, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team displayed dominance from start to finish, advancing to the final and defeating the Indonesian women's team in a thrilling match with a score of 3-2 (25/18, 25/27, 21/25, 25/20, 15/13). This championship victory further underscored the significant progress made by the Vietnamese women's volleyball team in terms of professionalism and development. Notably, the Vietnamese women’s volleyball team also had the opportunity to compete in France at the 2023 FIVB Challenge Cup, where they showcased remarkable resilience.
The third remarkable milestone has been solidified through the results of the 2023 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship. The Vietnamese women's volleyball team achieved a 3-2 victory over the South Korean women's team during the group stage, a result that came as a major surprise, or more aptly, a shock to Asian volleyball enthusiasts.
After that, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team emerged victorious against the Australian women's team on September 3, gaining a place in the tournament's semifinals. This marks the inaugural instance of a Vietnamese national volleyball team advancing to the semifinals of the Asian Women's Volleyball Championship.
Additionally, it signifies the first time that the Vietnamese women's volleyball team has entered the ranks of the top four teams on the continent. If the team continues to perform well and is in the top-three finish overall, there is hope that the Vietnamese women's volleyball team may earn a qualification spot for the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup.
The role of the Head Coach
Throughout the team's professional journey from June 2022 to now, Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet has been in charge as the Head Coach. Therefore, his professional imprint has been affirmed by the team's results and achievements in competitions.
Head Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet (Photo: AVC)
Initially, Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet was chosen to lead the Vietnamese women's volleyball team during the preparations for the 31st SEA Games. However, due to hesitation from the Vietnam Volleyball Federation, both parties were unable to finalize the arrangement. During the 31st SEA Games, the Vietnam Volleyball Federation sought the coaching services of Coach Thai Thanh Tung, who accepted the role.
After the 31st SEA Games in May 2022, Coach Tung stepped down from the position of Head Coach, and the Vietnam Volleyball Federation successfully recruited Coach Kiet to join the coaching staff. Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet presented his long-term preparation plan, aiming not only for specific tournament results within a year but also looking at a longer horizon of three to five years. This plan received mutual approval.
Consequently, Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet has held the position of Head Coach for the Vietnamese women's volleyball team since June 2022, and his coaching expertise and the players' unwavering spirit have been evident in every international competition they have engaged in during this period.
While it is true that the Vietnamese women's volleyball team does not always emerge victorious or engage in the most exhilarating matches, Coach Kiet's players, on the whole, have adopted a modern playing style and displayed unyielding determination when facing opponents, regardless of whether they are formidable teams from Asia or Europe.
After the 2023 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team will compete in the 19th Asian Games and the 2023 FIVB Women's Club World Championship. Hence, Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet has consistently undertaken substantial professional preparations.
Vietnam's win over Australia sparks semifinal hopes
The Vietnamese women's volleyball team played their inaugural match in the tournament's second round, achieving a resounding victory over the Australian women's team.
The Vietnamese women's volleyball team easily surpasses the Australian women's blockers. (Photo: SMM)
On September 3, all the participating teams reconvened for the second set of group-stage matches, determined by the groupings established following the initial round of the tournament held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. In this particular group stage, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team finds themselves in Group E alongside the host nation, Thailand, as well as South Korea and Australia.
According to the regulations, when teams that previously competed against each other find themselves in the same group for the second stage, the earlier results are retained. In the initial group stage, the Vietnamese women’s volleyball team emerged victorious over the South Korean women's team with a score of 3-2, so this result remains unchanged.
In their debut match within Group E on the late evening of September 3, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team faced Australia. Despite facing a taller and younger opponent, Head Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet maintained his confidence in fielding key players like Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, Hoang Thi Kieu Trinh, Tran Tu Linh, Doan Thi Lam Oanh, Nguyen Khanh Dang, and Nguyen Thi Trinh.
Throughout the game, other players such as Tran Thi Bich Thuy, Vo Thi Kim Thoa, Le Thi Thanh Lien, Pham Thi Nguyet Anh, and Vi Thi Nhu Quynh were also given opportunities to demonstrate their skills.
The Vietnamese women's volleyball team easily wins the Australian women's team in the first match in Group E. (Photo: SMM)
With a formidable lineup, the Vietnamese team encountered little challenge from the Australian spikers and successfully thwarted many of their attacking efforts. The Vietnamese women's volleyball team emerged triumphant at the end of the match, securing a 3-0 victory (25/15, 25/15, 25/21). The scores in each set unequivocally showcased the Vietnamese spikers' dominance over their opponents.
Tran Thi Thanh Thuy remained the top scorer in the lineup fielded by Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet, thereby maintaining their dominant position despite the significant height advantage of the Australian female players.
With this latest victory, in addition to their previous win against South Korea, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team has secured two wins in Group E. In the early match of the day, Thailand convincingly defeated South Korea with a score of 3-0. As a result, the Thai women's team temporarily leads the group, while the Vietnamese women's team holds the second position, with South Korea and Australia trailing behind.
According to the tournament regulations, the top two teams in Group E will advance to the semifinals. Given the current standings, it is highly likely that both Thailand and Vietnam have secured their spots in the semifinals. On September 4, the Vietnamese women’s volleyball team will face the Thai women's team to determine the final ranking for Group E.
By Minh Chien – Translated by Gia Bao