The defeat in the women's quad final against Vietnam has been hotly debated on Thai sepak takraw forums. The comments can be divided into three main groups: congratulating the victory of Tran Thi Vui's team, criticizing coach Poonsak's tactics and player selection, and emphasizing the importance of the SEA Games over the world championship.

Three Vietnamese players jump to block during their victory against Thailand in the women's quad final of the world sepak takraw championship at Central Hatyai shopping center, Songkhla Province, Thailand, 27/7/2025. Photo: Sanamtakraw

"This tournament is just a test. The real arena is the SEA Games," commented Natthaphat Lakul on the Sanamtakraw forum, receiving many likes.

Manoon Panprom shared the same view: "It's okay. This defeat is also good. It's part of the preparation for the SEA Games later this year. We will continue to support Thailand."

Veerachart Srimanacharoen responded: "The homework before the SEA Games will be to find a solution when the opponent blocks with three players. When they do that, the opponent only has one defensive player at the back, leaving many gaps to attack."

Key moments of the final match.

The 2025 World Sepak Takraw Championship took place in Songkhla Province, Thailand, co-organized by the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) and Thailand, from 20/7 to 28/7. The tournament attracted 20 participating teams, including 8 Southeast Asian countries and 12 representatives from outside the region. Besides Asian countries, two other nations, France and Australia, also participated. The tournament was first held in 1985 under the name King's Cup.

The ISTAF was established in 1988 with five initial members: Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Myanmar, with its headquarters in Thailand. ISTAF later transformed the King's Cup into the World Championship, co-organizing it with the Sepak Takraw Association of Thailand.

According to a 2020 study by Professor Haywantee Ramkissoon and researcher Azadeh Zarei, the world championship is the most prestigious event in ISTAF's portfolio. In addition, ISTAF also organizes tournaments such as the World Cup and Asian Cup, and co-organizes the SEA Games and Asian Games.

However, sepak takraw has a longer tradition at the SEA Games, having been included in the program since the 1965 Games in Malaysia. Since then, it has become an indispensable sport in every SEA Games. Sepak takraw has also been a consistent part of the Asian Games since 1990. Vietnam has never won a SEA Games gold medal in the women's quad event. At the previous SEA Games in Cambodia, Vietnam won the women's doubles gold medal but lost to Thailand in the women's quad final.

The final moments of the final match.

Many Thai fans also acknowledged Vietnam's victory in the final on the afternoon of 27/7. Pairama Buakhiao commented: "Vietnam has focused on sepak takraw for many decades. They send their teams to train in Thailand for two to three months each year."

Rames Thoopcham agreed: "Thailand is only strong in the trio event; in the quad event, we are not strong enough, still behind Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam."

The account nicknamed "Long-lasting magic" wrote: "This tournament shows that other teams are developing a team-based playing style, with systems and tactics. Thailand is still using the old formula, relying on individuals. If we continue like this, it will be a big problem."

In the men's quad event, Tran Huynh Dat's team also surprisingly eliminated Thailand in the semi-final with a score of 15-12, 17-16. The men's team also used the three-player blocking formation like the women's team. Meanwhile, the Thai teams only blocked the net with one player. However, in the final, the Vietnamese men's team lost to Japan 7-15, 10-15, and thus could not win their first world championship.

The next major sepak takraw tournament is the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand in 12/2025.

Compiled by Xuan Binh