After defeating Dominica 3-0 to finish 19th overall, coach Nguyen Trong Linh and the team stayed in Surabaya, Indonesia for an extra day. Today, the team traveled to Singapore before splitting into two groups to return to Vietnam.
Two players from Binh Dien Long An flew back to TP HCM, while 10 players and the coaching staff returned to Hanoi.
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Captain Dang Thi Hong receives flowers upon arrival at Noi Bai airport on the afternoon of 18/8. Photo: Thanh Nhan |
The team was welcomed by Le Tri Truong, General Secretary of the Vietnam Volleyball Federation, and Hoang Quoc Vinh, Head of the High-Performance Sports Department, Sports Administration of Vietnam. After two long flights, the coaching staff and players declined to speak to the media and went to rest. They will stay with the national women's volleyball team, which is currently based in Dong Anh (Hanoi).
The U21 team has no major tournaments scheduled in the near future. The players will return to their clubs to participate in the 2025 National Youth Club Championship in Tam Dao (Phu Tho) from 30/8 to 13/9.
The U21 Vietnam team that competed in the world championships consisted of 12 players: Lai Khanh Huyen, Ngo Thi Bich Hue, Pham Quynh Huong, Pham Thuy Linh, Le Thuy Linh, Bui Thi Anh Thao, Ha Kieu Vy, Nguyen Phuong Quynh, Dang Thi Hong, Le Nhu Anh, Nguyen Lan Vy, and Nguyen Van Ha.
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The U21 Vietnam team at Noi Bai airport on the afternoon of 18/8. Photo: Thanh Nhan |
Vietnam secured six victories, losing only to Argentina and Chile. However, due to a penalty imposed after the FIVB (International Volleyball Federation) deemed one player "ineligible," the team forfeited four matches and was relegated to the 17th-24th place playoffs.
With Dang Thi Hong absent for the final four matches, outside hitter Pham Quynh Huong became the team's top scorer with 62 points. Following closely behind were Bui Thi Anh Thao with 57 points and Le Thuy Linh with 53 points.
Italy won the tournament, followed by Japan in second place and Brazil in third. Thailand finished 12th, while Indonesia placed 16th.
Duc Dong
