Volleyball

Vietnamese players seen celebrating during the SEA V.League 2024's first leg last week. They will take part in the second leg from August 23-25 in Indonesia. VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The national men's team will try and improve their ranking in the regional volleyball tournament SEA V.League 2024's second leg starting on August 23 in Indonesia.

The tournament is contested by four men's national teams -- Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Việt Nam -- that are members of the Southeast Asian Volleyball Association (SEAVA), the sport's regional governing body affiliated with the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC).

In the first leg that ended in Manila, on August 18, Thailand stamped its class over host the Philippines, 28-26, 25-14, 25-14, to sweep the first leg title at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Indonesia, last year's two-leg champion, settled for the silver medal with a 2-1 record after beating Việt Nam, 21-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-12, 15-12, in the other game.

Việt Nam, losing all three matches, stood at the bottom of the ranking with Phạm Văn Hiệp voted as the best opposite spiker.

After Manila, they moved to Yogyakarta and had three days to practise for the second leg from August 23-25.

Coach Trần Đình Tiền said he would keep the same squad of 14 players in Indonesia despite their poor result in the Philippines.

He said players would have to do a better job to improve Việt Nam's place during three days of competitions. Việt Nam will play powerful Thailand in the first match which will be broadcast live on VTVcab channels.

Last year, Việt Nam finished third in the first leg and second in the second leg.

The SEA V.League 2024 is the last international tournament of the team this year and is one of the events for Việt Nam's preparation for the 33rd SEA Games in 2025 in Thailand.

In other news, the national women's team might have an opportunity to take part in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship for the first time.

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) will announce a list of qualified participants on August 30.

Việt Nam's female team might receive a place in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship which will be announced later this month. — VNS Photo

The 2025 championship will feature 32 teams. Two places are allocated to the current titleholder, Serbia and the host, which is to be determined. Fifteen places will be allocated to the top three teams from each of the 2023 Continental Championships that have not yet qualified as hosts or titleholders.

The remaining places will be allocated to the top fifteen teams in the FIVB World Ranking at the end of the 2024 National Team Season that have not yet qualified through the first criteria.

Based on those requirements, Việt Nam are among one of the teams that might be selected.

Currently, Thailand are bidding to become the hosts of the event. If Thailand, the Asian champion, is approved, they will qualify as the hosts and Việt Nam which finished fourth at the Asian championship will take one of three slots available for the continent.

If Thailand's bid is rejected, Việt Nam can still win a place as they are the world No 32.

The Việt Nam team has had a remarkable set of results over the last two years that helped them to reach the current highest world position.

They secured the trophy of the Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship, silver at the 32nd SEA Games, an AVC Challenge Cup title and a place in the top eight of the FIVB Challenger Cup, a gold medal at the international VTV Cup and fourth place at the Asian championship and the Asian Games in 2023.

In 2024, the team successfully defended the AVC Challenge Cup's top podium and finished third at the FIVB Challenger Cup. They just wrapped up the SEA V.League 2024 as the silver holder in both two legs earlier this month.

Coach Nguyễn Tuấn Kiệt and his players will be defending their VTV Cup 2024 crown on August 24-31 in Ninh Bình Province. VNS