Both Vietnam and Kenya had already been eliminated from the tournament after losing their first two matches. Vietnam lost 0-3 to Germany and 1-3 to Poland, while Kenya suffered two 0-3 defeats against the same opponents. Their final match offered one last chance for a victory before heading home.

Ranked 23rd in the world, Kenya sits one spot below Vietnam and had previously lost to coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet's team 1-3 in a friendly match in Hanoi. However, Vietnam couldn't replicate that success in this rematch.

Thanh Thuy (number 3, red) attacks against Kenya at the Municipal Gymnasium in Phuket, Thailand on 27/8. Photo: FIVB

Thanh Thuy (number 3, red) attacks against Kenya at the Municipal Gymnasium in Phuket, Thailand on 27/8. Photo: FIVB

Kenya’s superior height and power gave them the upper hand, allowing them to maintain a lead throughout the first two sets. Outside hitter Veronica Adhiambo (19 points) and middle blocker Belinda Barasa (13 points) were Kenya’s top scorers. Vietnam's defense struggled to contain their attacks.

Coach Tuan Kiet made numerous tactical adjustments and substitutions, but they proved ineffective against Kenya's tall and agile blockers. Kenya recorded an impressive 21 blocks, several of which neutralized Vietnam's key attacker, Tran Thi Thanh Thuy. For Vietnam, Vi Thi Nhu Quynh scored 12 points, finishing as the team’s highest scorer of the tournament with 35 points across three matches.

Despite the challenging circumstances, Vietnam showed commendable spirit, fighting hard in every set. After narrow losses in the first two sets (23-25, 22-25), Vietnam took an 11-9 lead in the third. However, fatigue took its toll, and they ultimately lost the set 18-25.

With this 0-3 defeat, Vietnam finished bottom of Pool G, the only Asian team to exit the tournament after the group stage. As there is no classification round for teams outside the top 16, both Vietnam and Kenya returned home after the match.

The 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship took place in Thailand from 22/8 to 7/9. The tournament featured 32 teams from five continents, divided into eight pools. The top two teams from each pool advanced to the round of 16.

Vietnam qualified for this year’s World Championship after finishing 4th in the 2023 Asian Championship and Thailand being the host nation. Following the tournament, the Vietnamese players will return to their respective clubs to prepare for stage two of the 2025 National Volleyball Championship, starting 10/10 in Ninh Binh.

Vy Anh