Asian Games

Vietnamese players at the victory ceremony of the women's quadrant sepak takraw event at the 19th Asian Games on October 4 in Hangzhou, China. — VNA/VNS Photo

Thanh Hà

The girls held each other's hands tight and shouted to push themselves, as they were about to play a do-or-die gold medal match.

Things were not easy, as expected, but finally Việt Nam bounced back to beat Indonesia 2-1 and took the title in the women's quadrant (team of four) sepak takraw (kick volleyball) at the 19th Asian Games recently ended in Hangzhou, China.

The gold ended Việt Nam's 17 years of title drought in this rattan ball kicking sport. Their last time on the top podium was in Qatar in 2006.

The medal also confirmed Việt Nam the world's No 1 after they dominated both world championship and Asian Games, the continental largest sporting event, over three months.

Road to victory

Việt Nam successfully defended the world title in July in Thailand, to make title candidate at the Hangzhou Games.

Việt Nam defeated Myanmar, Japan and Indonesia to top Group A before beating the hosts to take a place in the final.

Vietnamese players in an attempt to block an attack of Indonesian rivals during the women's quadrant sepak takraw final at the 19th Asian Games on October 4 in Hangzhou, China. — Photo courtesyof SAV

The title match was a repeat of the world championship final and the Asian Games' group match as Việt Nam faced arch-rival Indonesia. Despite wins against them both times, nervousness and worries often present as "every match was different, and each match was considered a final", according to coach Trần Thị Vui.

"Indonesia were a strong rival as we saw their performance in the previous tournaments. They improved a lot in a couple of months," Vui told Việt Nam News.

"At the world championship, we beat them with a gap of up to 10 points every set. But at the Asian Games, the gap was narrowed remarkably. And they proved their power in both matches when they met us in Hangzhou.

"Indonesia with experienced players quickly caught up with the game pace. They set up their domination while my players had not yet brought their strong points into play, and they made many mistakes.

"There was heavy pressure for us after losing 18-21 in the first set. I was a little worried while the players were tense and nervous."

Striker Trần Thị Ngọc Yến is to score point for Việt Nam during the women's quadrant sepak takraw final at the 19th Asian Games on October 4 in Hangzhou, China. — Photo courtesy of SAV

Vui had to talk to them, asking them to calm down, ensuring their strong serves and blocks alongside their youthful strength.

Meanwhile, the coaching board told them that everyone believed in them and together they would win.

The Vietnamese girls came back strongly in the second and third sets, proving why they were on top of the world, giving Indonesia no chance to resist.

"In the past, Việt Nam lost in important matches. It was not because of their technique and quality but their mentality. But now, my young players fixed this weakness. They know how to overcome high pressure and prove their ability at the decisive moments," Vui said.

She said the Asian Games win made her believe that the players were on the right track. They were braver, more confident and developing well.

Hard work

After their first world championship in 2022, the team was fancied as one of Việt Nam's golden hopes at the Hangzhou Games.

They received strong support with intensive training in which they practised up to 10 hours per day.

"We kept in our mind that we must be fantastic to beat all rivals," player Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Huyền said.

Vietnamese players celebrate their point during the women's quadrant sepak takraw final at the 19th Asian Games on October 4 in Hangzhou, China. — Photo courtesy of SAV

"We have to work out with our own equipment at high intensity to ensure our best technique, which will strengthen our mentality and confidence."

The team then successfully won a silver at the 32nd SEA Games, a gold in the 2023 world championship, and a gold in the 2023 Asian championship. They were in the ascendancy.

In the Asian Games, the Vietnamese team won all their matches, with only two set losses, both to Indonesia, in the whole tournament.

Their victory helped the Việt Nam team complete their mission of at least two golds from the continent's largest sport competition.

"I am delighted and proud that our team brought home a victory," Nguyễn Thị Yến told Việt Nam News.

"My teammates and I united and determined for the gold. We supported and encouraged each other during the match. Although we were under pressure, we tried our best to get the highest result."

Meanwhile, striker Trần Thị Ngọc Yến who scored the most points for Việt Nam in the win, said that although she was not pleased with her own performance as she made more mistakes than usual, she was really satisfied with the team's win.

The national team of sepak takraw is welcomed home after their Asian Games victory.— VNA/VNS Photo

"We all showed the highest determination. We all did the best during the tournament. And we have completed our task, the most important of 2023. I am thrilled with this victory," Ngọc Yến said.

Coach Vui said the Asian Games medal was meaningful for the sepak takraw team as they waited for nearly two decades to reach the top podium.

She believed that it would motivate her players of other categories as well as inspire young people to practise sepak takraw to encourage the development of the sport in the near future. — VNS