The victory marked Vietnam’s first championship at the SEA V.Cup, formerly known as the SEA V.League, and carried even greater significance after three previous defeats to Thailand in the tournament.

This time, when the title was on the line, Vietnam found a way to turn the tables.

The final was anything but straightforward. Thailand took the opening set 25-22, Vietnam responded by winning the next two 25-23 and 25-19, before Thailand stormed back with a 25-15 victory in the fourth.

That left everything to a deciding fifth set, where Federico Rampazzo’s players held their nerve to prevail 15-10 and complete a memorable night for Vietnamese volleyball.

Ngoc Thuan emerged as the outstanding performer, scoring 31 points and leading Vietnam’s attack throughout a match filled with momentum swings, long rallies and pressure at both ends of the court.

Vietnam initially struggled to settle into the contest.

Problems with reception and serving allowed Thailand to establish an early advantage in the first set. Vietnam recovered from a three-point deficit and, with attacks from Ngoc Thuan and Dinh Van Phuong, moved ahead 20-17.

But Thailand responded at the crucial moment. They drew level at 22-22 before moving in front, while their block kept close watch on The Khai and Van Phuong. Thailand eventually closed out the set 25-22.

Rather than allowing the setback to affect them, Vietnam returned with greater composure in the second set.

Duy Tuyen and Van Tien helped establish an early advantage, but Thailand again fought back and moved 11-10 ahead with three consecutive points.

Vietnam stayed within touching distance. Van Phuong halted Thailand’s scoring run before Van Duy helped level the contest at 20-20 with an attack that deflected off the Thai block and out.

The closing stages belonged to Vietnam.

Van Phuong fired an ace at 89km/h to give his team a 23-21 advantage, and Duong Van Tien then caught Thailand completely off guard with another ace to seal the set 25-23.

At one set apiece, the momentum had shifted.

Vietnam produced arguably their most convincing volleyball of the night in the third set. Their defence became more effective, the attacking combinations flowed with greater precision and Thailand increasingly struggled to contain Ngoc Thuan.

The Khai’s block helped Vietnam open a five-point advantage before Ngoc Thuan and Duy Tuyen stretched the gap to 12-6. Another successful block from Van Phuong made it 20-12.

Thailand briefly threatened a comeback with three consecutive points late in the set, but Vietnam quickly regained control. Ngoc Thuan delivered the decisive point as Vietnam won 25-19 to move within one set of the championship.

Thailand, however, were not finished.

The defending challenge from across the net intensified in the fourth set, with Thailand building a six-point advantage at 15-9 and later stretching the gap further.

Napadet remained Thailand’s major attacking threat, while Vietnam struggled to reproduce the rhythm that had carried them through the previous two sets.

Rampazzo rested Ngoc Thuan and attempted to halt Thailand’s momentum with tactical timeouts, but there was no way back. Napadet finished the set with a powerful attack toward libero Trinh Duy Phuc as Thailand won 25-15.

After four sets, the final was level again.

Everything now came down to 15 points.

Vietnam made the stronger start to the deciding set, with Duy Tuyen and Van Tien helping the team race into a 2-0 lead. Ngoc Thuan continued to deliver under pressure, driving an attack deep into the court to keep Vietnam ahead at 4-2.

Thailand responded once more. Three straight points turned the score around and put them 7-6 ahead, forcing Rampazzo to call a timeout.

The match had reached its defining moment.

Napadet gave Thailand an 8-7 advantage as the teams changed ends, but Vietnam refused to let the final slip away.

A Thai service error brought another opportunity before Duy Tuyen’s serve clipped the net and caught the opposition by surprise, helping Vietnam move 9-8 ahead.

Then came one of the biggest defensive plays of the night.

After Vietnam reached 10 points, The Khai stood firm against a powerful attack from Napadet and produced a crucial block to extend the advantage to 11-9.

From there, Vietnam took command.

With Thailand under increasing pressure, Napadet eventually sent an attack out of bounds, handing Vietnam five championship points at 14-9.

Moments later, it was over.

Vietnam closed out the deciding set 15-10, triggering emotional celebrations on the court as the players embraced one another after completing a victory that had eluded the country throughout the tournament’s history.

Rampazzo joined the celebrations draped in Vietnam’s red flag with its yellow star, embracing his players after guiding them to a landmark title.

The victory was also a measure of redemption.

Vietnam and Thailand had already met three times during the competition, with Thailand winning on each occasion. Vietnam had also suffered the frustration of losing after holding an advantage earlier in the tournament.

In the final, however, Rampazzo’s side produced the response that mattered most.

Ngoc Thuan’s 31-point performance provided the attacking foundation, but Vietnam’s triumph was also built on contributions throughout the lineup. Van Phuong delivered important attacks and an ace under pressure, Van Tien produced a decisive service point in the second set, while Duy Tuyen and The Khai made crucial interventions as the match reached its climax.

The 3-2 victory gave Vietnam their first SEA V.Cup championship and, with it, a ticket to the 2027 AVC Cup.

Vietnam will join Cambodia, winners of the first leg, at the continental tournament.

For Vietnamese men’s volleyball, however, the night in Jakarta was about more than qualification.

After five exhausting sets and three previous defeats to the same opponent, Vietnam finally overcame Thailand when the stakes were highest - and walked off the court as SEA V.Cup champions for the first time.

Final score: Vietnam beat Thailand 3-2: 22-25, 25-23, 25-19, 15-25, 15-10.

Thien Binh