Key volleyball players Ngo Van Kieu and Nguyen Huu Ha will be the major power in the men's volleyball team to compete in the Southeast Asian Games next week, said coach Nguyen Van Hung.
Kieu, who helped Viet Nam win silver in the 24th SEA Games in Thailand four years ago, will play in the front line with teammate Huu Ha in their first SEA Games, Hung said.

"Kieu, 28, from Sanest Khanh Hoa, is a powerful volleyballer. He can jump 3.6m, which helps him spike from the 3m line but he needs his teammates to beat the opponent's defence," Hung said.

"The team will include young player Le Quang Khanh, 23."

Kieu was the most important player in the team because he had experience from abroad with Indonesian club Samato last year, Hung said.

Meanwhile, the women's team will struggle to win their first SEA Games gold medal after winning silver in 2007 and 2009.

The team will debut young players Dao Thi Huyen, 23, who shone at the recent national championship, and Asian Women's Club championships Le Thi Minh Nham, 24, and Do Thi Minh, 23.

Team setter Ha Thi Hoa, 27, played a key role in the squad with her superior tactical knowledge.

Viet Nam's Chinese coach Quiao Yu Chuan, who mentored Chinese club Sichuan for 10 years, has included attackers Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hoa (1.83m), Pham Kim Hue and Pham Thi Yen.

"Most of players are skilful and tall but I still worry about their fitness in tough games against rivals from Thailand and Indonesia," Chuan said.

The SEA Games will run from November 13-20.

VNS