Fielding their strongest lineup, including Ngoc Thuan, Duy Tuyen, Van Hiep, and Van Duy, the VPA team quickly took control of the match. Despite some initial service errors, the host team surged ahead to lead 11-6, then 15-7. With a comfortable 18-9 lead, head coach Tran Dinh Tien substituted his key players with young talents like Van Nam and Xuan Sinh. The VPA team easily closed the first set at 25-11 after just 19 minutes.
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The VPA volleyball team (in white) demonstrates early dominance in the first set. |
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A powerful spike from Duy Tuyen |
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Vietnamese players celebrate a point against the Cambodian team. |
In the second set, the Cambodian team played with high determination. Despite trailing 1-4 early on, the visiting team persistently leveled the score at 5-5. The set became a tight contest, with the Vietnamese team repeatedly taking narrow leads only to be caught up. Toward the end of the set, the Vietnamese players succumbed to psychological pressure, allowing Cambodia to take a 22-20 lead. Capitalizing on a crucial 24-24 tie, the Cambodian team edged out a 26-24 win.
Coach Tran Dinh Tien continued to test his young players in the third set. Confident performances by Xuan Sinh, Van Nam, and Cong Duc kept the match balanced. Facing stiff resistance and trailing 17-20 at one point, the timely return of key players, notably Ngoc Thuan, helped the VPA team overcome the deficit. They leveled the score at 23-23 before pulling off a thrilling 25-23 score.
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The stands at the Dong Anh Gymnasium (Ha Noi) are packed with supporters. |
The fourth set saw the host team revert to their strongest starting lineup. Seizing their opportunities, the VPA team steadily widened the gap from 7-4 to 12-8. They maintained a safe lead and sealed the set 25-18, clinching the final points with two direct service aces.
With two consecutive wins and a perfect six points, the VPA team advanced to the tournament’s semifinals as the Group A winner.
Translated by Minh Anh