Vietnamese volleyball team defeats Thailand after 10 years.

Thanks to their determination and burning desire to prove themselves, the Vietnamese men's volleyball team achieved a historic 3-2 victory against Thailand on the evening of July 30th at the Asian Championships currently taking place in Indonesia.

Exactly 10 years ago, at the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand, with the outstanding performance of "bomber" Ngo Van Kieu and many other illustrious names, the Vietnamese men's team defeated Thailand 3-0 in the semi-finals but lost to Indonesia in the final.

Since then, while Thai volleyball has gradually stabilized and asserted its strength, Vietnamese men's volleyball has failed to improve, declining due to inconsistent performance and poor mental fortitude. This is most evident in the SEA Games, where the Vietnamese men's team consistently hovers around third or fourth place, only reaching the final in Singapore in 2015, but losing to Thailand. It was a comprehensive defeat in terms of both technical and tactical skills, as well as mental strength.

That failure spurred those responsible for Vietnamese volleyball to resolutely rebuild, rejuvenating the team while also inviting back veterans who had made significant contributions in the past. A prime example is the role of Ngo Van Kieu, along with a host of players in their prime such as Thanh Thuan, Thai Hung, Hoang Thuong, Van Duc, etc., creating a stable core. Thanks to their determination and desire to prove themselves, this talented and well-rounded group achieved a historic 3-2 victory against Thailand on July 30th at the Asian Championships currently taking place in Indonesia.

Although coach Phung Cong Hung's team secured a hard-fought victory, after a surprising 2-0 lead (25/19 and 25/16) in the early stages, they showed a lack of concentration, allowing Thailand to win back 25/21 and 25/16 to equalize the score at 2-2. Only through strength and precision in every shot, block, and first-touch return did the Vietnamese boys win the decisive set 15/10, securing their place in the 9th-place match against Qatar tomorrow, July 31st.

This is an encouraging victory for the Vietnamese men's volleyball team, raising hopes for the SEA Games. However, don't be overly optimistic, as Thailand will certainly regroup after their loss. Furthermore, Indonesia has shown significant progress, reaching the top 4 in Asia after defeating Iran. They are a formidable opponent for the Vietnamese team.

According to TNO