A 3-0 victory over Hong Kong, China, restored confidence to the Vietnamese women’s volleyball team while keeping alive their hopes of reaching the next round of the 2026 Asian championship.

Under the tournament format, the three group winners, three runners-up and the two best third-placed teams advance to the quarterfinals. Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet’s side can no longer finish top of their group, with Japan securing first place after two victories, leaving Vietnam to target second place or one of the two best third-place spots.

To achieve that, Tran Thi Thanh Thuy and her teammates will need to perform at their very best and secure the strongest possible set ratio against Japan. Experts believe victory will be extremely difficult, meaning Vietnam need to stay focused and pour their efforts into taking at least one set from the Asian powerhouse.

The task is made even tougher by uncertainty over Nguyen Thi Uyen’s availability. During the victory over Hong Kong, the outside hitter suffered an injury in the third set and had to be carried off on a stretcher before being taken to hospital for medical checks. Unlike the other teams, Vietnam have only 13 players after Vi Thi Nhu Quynh withdrew at the last minute.

Japan boast an effective attacking game as well as some of the continent’s finest defense and serve reception. For Vietnam to produce an upset, or even take a set, they will clearly have to play beyond their usual level.

There are encouraging signs for coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet, however. Tran Thi Thanh Thuy is in excellent form, while 18-year-old Pham Quynh Huong has made particularly impressive progress. Quynh Huong has scored 28 points in two matches and is expected to pose problems for Japan’s blocking defense.

Vietnam face Japan at 5:30 p.m. on August 25 in Tianjin, China.

Dai Nam