Vietnam defeat Kazakhstan, storm into AVC Challenge Cup semi-finals

Without captain Tran Thi Thanh Thuy in the initial lineup due to injury, coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet decided to send in experienced players such as of Hoang Thi Kieu Trinh, Doan Thi Lam Oanh, Tran Tu Linh, Nguyen Khanh Dang, and Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen who helped Vietnam trounce their opponents in the first and second sets, scoring 25-14 and 25-19, respectively.

In the third set, the Kazakh team showed greater enthusiasm and strong determination, making it challenging for the Vietnamese blockers. At the crucial moment of the set, Kazakhstan turned the tables on the Vietnamese team to secure a 25-14 win.

However, the fourth set concluded with a decisive 25-23 victory for Vietnam with a smash made by outside hitter Bich Tuyen, resulting in a 3-1 overall win.

After recording three consecutive wins, Vietnam now topped Group B and earned a place in the semifinals. They will take on Indonesia in their last Group B match on May 26.

The AVC Women's Challenge Cup is an international competition in Asia and Oceania for unranked senior women's national teams of the members of the Asian Volleyball Confederation, the continent’s governing body for the sport.

The tournament was founded in 2018 and is held every two years. The first competition due to take place in Hong Kong (China) was not held due to unforeseen reasons. The second edition two years later was also cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The winners of the Cup will receive a place at the FIVB Women's Challenger Cup.