In the semi-finals this evening, the women's team played first against South Korea. The Vietnamese team included familiar players like Tran Thi Ngoc Yen, Nguyen Thi Yen, Nguyen Thi My, and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Huyen. The two teams started evenly, but with the score at 5-4, Vietnam scored consecutively to lead 12-5 and finished the first set 15-7.

In the second set, the women's team continued their dominance, scoring 8 consecutive points from 2-1 to lead 10-1. The team, coached by Tran Thi Vui, ultimately won 15-6, completing the match in straight sets.

Vietnam (in red) celebrates after defeating Thailand in the semi-final of the Sepak Takraw World Championship, regu event, at Central Hatyai shopping center, Songkhla province, Thailand, on 25/7/2025. Photo: Screenshot.

Immediately following this match, the women's team stayed to cheer on the men's team against the host nation, Thailand, in a much more tense encounter. The men's team started with Nguyen Hoang Lan, Vuong Minh Chau, Dau Van Hoang, and Nguyen Van Ly. The two teams exchanged points, but when the score was 7-5 in favor of the hosts, Vietnam scored 5 consecutive points to take a 10-7 lead. Tran Huynh Dat's team maintained the gap to win 15-12.

In the second set, the men's team started enthusiastically and led 4-1, but Thailand then equalized at 4-4. Vietnam immediately called a timeout to regroup. As a result, the team regained a three-point lead at 10-7, forcing Thailand to call their own timeout.

Victory seemed within reach for Huynh Dat's team as they led 13-8 and then 14-10, but Thailand didn't give up easily. The hosts scored 4 consecutive points to tie the game at 14-14, sending the Central Hatyai stadium into a frenzy as home fans erupted in celebration. With the score at 16-16, Van Ly scored the decisive point, making it 17-16. The men's team thus defeated Thailand 2-0 with set scores of 15-12 and 17-16.

In sepak takraw, each match consists of three sets, with each set played to 15 points. The first team to win two sets wins the match. However, if the score reaches 15-14, the team that first reaches 17 points wins the set.

The Sepak Takraw World Championship is held annually in Thailand and this is the 38th edition. This year's tournament takes place at the Central Hatyai shopping center in Songkhla province from 22/7 to 28/7. The tournament has 6 events: doubles, triples, regu, hoop, team, and mixed.

The women's team's opponent in the final is likely to be Thailand, while the men's team will likely face Malaysia. The women's team has won the championship twice, in 2022 and 2023. The men's team has never won the title.

Xuan Binh