Empty-handed but not in vain!

The match against Kenya on the afternoon of August 27 was expected to be an opportunity to seek an honorable victory. However, history cannot yet call the name of Vietnamese volleyball.

After defeats against Poland and Germany, the hope of finding a victory in the world arena against Kenya also did not come true for the Vietnamese team. Losing all 3 matches and leaving the 2025 Women's Volleyball World Championship empty-handed is probably the biggest sadness for the Vietnamese women's volleyball team, even though this journey brought many valuable experiences.

Vietnam team (on the other side of the net) closes its historic journey in the world arena. Photo: FIVB

Unable to pass the group stage, the team under coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet can still hold their heads high when participating in the most prestigious playground for the first time. Facing Poland and Germany, coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet's students could not surprise the comprehensive strength of the two European teams. The superiority in physique, fitness, technique and experience of the world's top opponents (Poland ranked 3rd and Germany ranked 11th) made Vietnam only know how to brace itself to defend. Two quick defeats exposed the large gap that we still have to overcome.

After a 0-4 defeat in a friendly match in Hanoi before the tournament, the African champions found a way to counter the Vietnamese team. Coach Omondi Onyango's players played fiercely, making the most of their physical advantages, strength and effective blocking ability. Although Thanh Thuy, Nhu Quynh and Kieu Trinh tried their best, their lack of variety and many mistakes at the decisive moment caused Vietnam to fall after 3 games (23-25, 22-25, 18-25) against Kenya, an opponent 2 places below them in the FIVB rankings and will surpass them after this victory.

Leaving the tournament with 3 consecutive losses, the Vietnamese team could not achieve the historic victory as expected. The score and world ranking decreased, but what the team experienced was certainly valuable baggage. For the first time participating in the world arena, Vietnamese athletes clearly felt the harshness of top-level volleyball, from speed, strength to tactical operation.

The failure at the world championship is not the end, but a reminder of what needs to be done for the future of Vietnamese volleyball. We need to invest more in youth training, improve physical fitness, improve tactical skills and increase opportunities to compete with strong opponents. Only then will the gap in level and ability gradually narrow.

This tournament also helps fans understand that Vietnamese volleyball cannot yet enter the top group in the world but can still nurture the aspiration to rise high in Asia - where we have been affirming our position.

"SEA Games, Asiad or Asian Cup will continue to be realistic goals for Vietnamese players to aim for.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/trang-tay-nhung-khong-vo-ich-196250827203953791.htm