Vietnam and Taiwan faced off in a crucial match, with both teams eager to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of their pool after suffering prior losses. The Vietnamese team held an advantage going into the game due to their more experienced lineup, as Taiwan’s team was predominantly comprised of young athletes under 20.
The first set saw Vietnam dominate from the start, with outside hitter Nguyen Ngoc Thuan delivering powerful attacks. His stellar performance, coupled with the team’s overall strong showing, led to a decisive 25-15 victory for Vietnam.
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| Vietnamese players in blue jerseys attacking during their Pool D match against Taiwan at the Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup for Men, held in Bahrain on June 4, 2024. Photo: Asian Volleyball Confederation |
In the second set, Vietnam’s coach, Tran Dinh Tien, made some strategic substitutions, introducing new players to the court. This led to a more closely contested set, with both teams trading points. Despite the efforts of the young Vietnamese players, they couldn’t quite replicate the dominance of their senior teammates from the first set.
As the set progressed, it remained tightly contested, with neither team able to pull away. However, at the crucial moment, with the score tied at 22-22, a Taiwanese player made a fault, giving Vietnam a slender lead. Nguyen Ngoc Thuan then stepped up again, scoring two consecutive points to seal the set at 25-22.
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| Vietnamese players in blue jerseys attacking during the Pool D match against Taiwan at the Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup for Men, held in Bahrain on June 4, 2024. Photo: Asian Volleyball Confederation |
The third set saw Vietnam regain their momentum and confidence. They played with determination and precision, eventually clinching a decisive 25-14 victory. This win secured their place in the quarterfinals as the second-place team in Pool D, setting up a quarterfinal clash with Pakistan.
The Vietnamese team’s performance in this must-win match was impressive, and they now look forward to their quarterfinal encounter, scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Vietnam time.
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| Taiwanese players in white jerseys attacking during their Pool D match against Vietnam at the Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup for Men, held in Bahrain on June 4, 2024. Photo: Asian Volleyball Confederation |
It is also worth noting that Vietnam is the sole representative of Southeast Asia among the final eight teams in the tournament. Their performance so far has been commendable, especially considering the strong opposition they have faced.
Meanwhile, other Southeast Asian teams, including the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia, unfortunately, finished last in their respective pools, highlighting the challenging nature of the competition.
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| Taiwanese players in white jerseys attacking during the Pool D match against Vietnam at the Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup for Men, held in Bahrain on June 4, 2024. Photo: Asian Volleyball Confederation |
The Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Men is an important annual international volleyball competition in Asia and Oceania. It provides a platform for the region’s top national teams to compete and also serves as a qualifier for the FIVB Challenger Cup, offering a pathway to even higher levels of competition.
This year’s edition, taking place in Isa Town, Bahrain, from June 2 to 9, has already provided some thrilling volleyball action, and with Vietnam’s progression to the quarterfinals, the tournament is set to become even more exciting.
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