Heading into the match, both teams had six points from their first two games, with the winners set to claim the first-leg title. Experts believed that with Thai star Chatchu-on sidelined due to injury, this was Vietnam's best chance to dethrone Thailand’s dominance.

Vietnam fielded a strong starting lineup with key players like Thanh Thuy, Bich Tuyen, Lam Oanh, Khanh Dang, and emerging talents Nguyen Thi Uyen and Bich Thuy. The opening set saw a fierce back-and-forth battle. Thailand impressed with their signature defence, blocks, and smart attacks, while Vietnam struggled at times with first-ball reception.

Vietnam led for most of the first set, maintaining a 2-4 point cushion, but Thailand surged ahead 21-20 late in the set. However, Vietnam fought back, with Bich Tuyen scoring a critical point to regain the lead at 23-22. A successful block by Thanh Thuy and a Thai attack error sealed a 25-23 first-set win for Vietnam.

However, the momentum did not carry over. Thailand’s defence effectively neutralized Vietnam’s top attackers in the second set. Combined with multiple reception errors, Vietnam fell behind by as much as seven points.

Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet brought on Kim Thoa to replace setter Lam Oanh, helping the team regain some rhythm. A controversial moment arose when Nguyen Thi Uyen’s drop shot appeared to land in, but despite video evidence supporting Vietnam’s claim, the main referee awarded the point to Thailand. That decision rattled the Vietnamese side, who conceded the next three points and lost the set 19-25.

In the third set, Vietnam initially struggled but found their rhythm midway. Thanh Thuy scored back-to-back points to put her team ahead 16-15. Maintaining their composure, Vietnam earned four set points and clinched the set 25-21.

The fourth set mirrored the second, with Thailand jumping to early leads of 5-1 and 12-7. Vietnam narrowed the gap to two points at one stage, but Thailand’s five successful blocks and solid defensive play proved decisive as they took the set 25-17, leveling the match at 2-2.

The final set was neck-and-neck, with Vietnam holding a narrow 8-7 lead at the switch. But Thailand’s superior blocking and clinical finishing turned the tide, as they pulled ahead 12-9 and closed out the match 15-11.

Despite the loss, this marked the first time Vietnam had won two sets against Thailand on their soil. With 7 points from three matches, Vietnam once again finished second, while Thailand reaffirmed their position as Southeast Asia’s top women’s volleyball team.

Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet and his team will look to build on this momentum as they head into the second leg of the SEA V.League 2025, set to take place in Ninh Binh from August 8–10.

Vietnam beat Philippines to lead 2025 SEA V.League standings

VOV.VN - Vietnam on August 2 delivered an impressive 3-1 victory over the Philippines in theỉr second match of the 2025 Southeast Asia Women's Volleyball Championship (SEA V.League), following their dominant 3-0 win against Indonesia in the opening match a day earlier.