On the evening of August 19, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team had an impressive momentum when defeating Kenya with a score of 4-0 in an international friendly match in Hanoi. Notably, this match was absent.
This is a meaningful match, not only because Kenya is the same opponent in the World Women's Volleyball Championship 2025, but also takes place in the context of the Vietnamese women's volleyball team that has just broken up against the No. 1 Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen.
The absence of Bich Tuyen makes experts and fans pay special attention to the alternatives of coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet. Entering the match, he launched the starting lineup including the owner of Vi Thi Nhu Quynh, Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, the assistant Le Thanh Thuy – Nguyen Thi Trinh, passed the two Doan Thi Lam Oanh and Libero Khanh.
Rival Kenya, the reigning African African champion 2023, possesses superior height and strength. However, Vietnam is a more active entry team. The speed coordination, especially the fast attack situations of the lady Le Thanh Thuy, helped the home team win the opening set 25-21.
Sang the second set, coach Tuan Kiet created opportunities for many new faces such as Phu Cong Bich Thuy, Pham Thi Hien, passed Hai Kim Thoa and passed Kieu Trinh. The freshness in the game makes Kenya face many difficulties in defense. The Vietnamese team won the overwhelming victory of 25-14, in which Bich Thuy left a bold impression with powerful shots.
In the next two sets, the coaching staff continued to test the squad when bringing the owner Nguyen Thi Phuong into the field. Despite changing personnel, the Vietnamese team still maintains a firm battle, taking advantage of the transforming game to overcome the tall and high shield of the opponent. The red shirt girls won 25-19 in both set 3 and set 4, closing the match with a convincing 4-0 victory.
This victory not only brings confidence to the whole team but also shows the depth of the forces of Vietnamese women's volleyball after the withdrawal of Bich Tuyen. Young factors have partly proved the ability, opening up many tactical options for coach Tuan Kiet before the biggest tournament on the planet.
As planned, on August 20, the team will move to Thailand to attend the World Women's Volleyball Championship 2025, which takes place from August 22 to September 7. This is the first time in history, Vietnamese women's volleyball is present at this prestigious playground. The tournament gathered 32 strongest teams in the world, divided into 8 groups, competing in a round to select 16 teams into the knockout round.
The Vietnam Women's Volleyball Team (ranked 22nd in the world) is in Group G with Polish rivals (3rd class), Germany (class 11) and Kenya (class 23). According to the calendar, teachers and coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet will face Poland in turn at 20:30 on 23/8, Germany at 17:00 on August 25 and Kenya at 17:00 on August 27.
The friendly victory over Kenya is considered an important stepping stone for Vietnamese women's volleyball team to enter the world championship with confidence, ready to make a mark in the first time in this top arena.