Tournament draws regional rivals to Central Highlands

kSpie: Key player Bui Thi Hue will play in the International Women's Volleyball Tournament, VTV-Sun Group Cup at the Buon Ma Thuot City Gymnasium in the Central Highlands province of Dac Lac tomorrow. — VNS Photo Quang Thang

HA NOI — The International Women's Volleyball Tournament, VTV-Sun Group Cup will kick off tomorrow at the Buon Ma Thuot city Gymnasium in the Central Highlands province of Dac Lac.

Nine teams have been divided into two groups for the eighth edition of the event. Viet Nam are in group A with North Korea, Australia and Kazakhstan. Group B consists of teams from Japan, China, South Korea, Thailand and host VTV Binh Dien Long An.

Teams will compete in a round robin format with the best two teams from each group advancing to the semi-final round.

In the last tournament, Viet Nam defeated Ukraine's Vin group 25-23, 25-15, 20-25, 21-25 to defend their title.

All matches will be aired live on VTV2 and VTV3.

The tournament is considered an important warm-up for the national team under new coach Qiao Yu Chuan before they participate in the 26th Southeast Asian Games later this year in Indonesia.

Quiao, who spent 10 years coaching Chinese club Sichuan, has an array of players at his disposal including 1.83m Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hoa and attackers Bui Thi Hue, Pham Kim Hue and Pham Thi Yen. — VNS