Members of the Vietnam's U23 volleyball team (Photo: asianvolleyball.net)

The hosts on July 15defeated underdogs Maldives with an unbelievable result of 25-1, 25-2, 25-2 intheir last match of Pool A at Gia Lam district’s Gymnasium.

The Vietnamese teamplayed without their strongest members including Tran Thi Thanh Thuy and DuongThi Hen but they just needed 43 minutes to crush their rivals, achieving thebiggest victory of the tournament as well as in the nation’s history.

It was the team’s secondwin. They earlier beat New Zealand 25-12, 25-10, 25-19.

With two wins, Vietnamtop Pool A with six points, followed by New Zealand with three and Maldives whohave yet won a single set in this championship.

In Pool B, theDemocratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is leading after two wins.Thailand and Australia are second and third, respectively.

China proved their powerto win Pool C with six points. Chinese Taipei finished second while India endedthird.

In Pool D, Kazakhstanranked first after three wins. Hong Kong, Macao and Sri Lanka are behind.

Following thecompetition format, two top teams from each pool advance to the quarter-finals.Vietnam, New Zealand, China and Chinese Taipei are in Pool E, while the DPRK,Thailand, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong compete in Pool F.

Classification forninth-13th places will see Maldives join India in Pool G, with Australia, Macaoand Sri Lanka in Pool H.

After a rest day on July16, the competition resumes on July 17.

China will take on NewZealand and hosts Vietnam play Chinese Taipei. The DPRK will be against HongKong and Thailand versus Kazakhstan.

The Maldives will challengeIndia and Australia will play Sri Lanka.-VNA