"Global shock! The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has ruled that Vietnam forfeits four matches 0-3 after two players failed gender verification tests," proclaimed Thai newspaper Siam Sport on the morning of 13/8.

The Vietnam team at the FIVB Volleyball Women's U21 World Championship in Surabaya, Indonesia in August 2025. Photo: Thairath

Last night, the FIVB announced Vietnam's forfeits due to an ineligible player, without disclosing the player's identity or the reason. Earlier, the Vietnam Volleyball Federation (VFV) stated that players Dang Thi Hong and Nguyen Phuong Quynh missed the final group stage match against Puerto Rico for "blood and urine sample collection," not gender verification.

Thai media outlets maintain that two Vietnamese players were ineligible, even misquoting the FIVB's announcement.

Thai newspaper Sanook called the FIVB's announcement "major news in the world of volleyball".

The news of Vietnam's forfeits also gained significant traction on the volleyball forum Volleytrails, which has over 127,000 followers on Facebook.

A Filipino user, Jayke Anthony, suggested that "the issue might be age, not gender." A Thai account commented that Vietnam had engaged in "unsportsmanlike conduct," while another suggested the FIVB should also test Indonesian player Junaida Santi.

Santi was the top scorer in the group stage with 86 points, followed by Rejmanova (Czech Republic) with 85 points and Dang Thi Hong with 83. Nguyen Phuong Quynh scored 32 points, ranking 38th in the group stage.

The FIVB stated that matches involving Vietnam's ineligible player would result in 0-3 forfeits. This includes three wins and one loss. Consequently, coach Nguyen Trong Linh's team dropped from second place to last in Group A, losing their spot in the round of 16. Host nation Indonesia took Vietnam's place.

Upon hearing the news, the head coach of the Indonesian U21 team, Marcos Sugiyama, said he had never seen a similar penalty before, but wasn't overly concerned as it was someone else's business. "The final decision rests with the FIVB," he added.

Meanwhile, leading Indonesian sports newspaper Bola celebrated the "gift" for the home team. In the article "Indonesia unexpectedly qualifies for the round of 16 as Vietnam faces penalty," the author recapped the events leading to Vietnam's penalty and the home team's preparation for their match against Italy in the round of 16.

Contrary to reports in some regional newspapers suggesting Vietnam's elimination, coach Trong Linh's team will continue competing for positions 17 to 24, starting with a match against Egypt at 1 p.m. today.

Hoang An