In sports, there are opponents who are not only strong in expertise but also a " obsession" in psychology for losers. For Vietnamese women's volleyball, Thailand is that obsession. Over the years, no matter how much effort is put in, the results are still often defeats - sometimes close, sometimes far, but the same feeling: Not strong enough to overcome.
Statistics can explain this, when the Vietnamese women's volleyball team lost 40 consecutive matches against the Thai women's team, including 17 finals. That is also understandable, as the Thai women's volleyball team has won the Asian championship 3 times and has also reached the world stage.
On the evening of August 10, that haunting streak was marked. From a 0-2 lead, coach Nguyen Tuan and his team came back to win 3-2, winning the 2025 SEA V.League. The championship course brings great joy, but the deeper value and what fans want more is the "psy wall" being knocked down.
Because when a psychological knot is removed, people suddenly feel more relieved and confident. The pressure that was once heavy has now become a driving force. Each phase of the ball will be played with initiative, no longer having to suspect oneself. Thanh Thuy, Bich Tuyen and her teammates can now enter each match against Thailand with an equal mindset, even ready to "attack" first.
Of course, a victory is not enough to define the future. Confidence is the foundation. To turn it into a sustainable strength, Vietnamese women's volleyball needs to maintain continuous efforts - from individual players maintaining their form, improving their physical strength, tactical skills, to the youth training system, coaches, federations... operating smoothly.
Because when the psychology is released, the potential will bloom. But without preparation and training, belief can be eroded quickly. Winning once may be due to extraordinary efforts, but winning many times in a row can only come from a solid foundation.
This victory is therefore not only a milestone, but also a reminder: When you have overcome the psychological barrier, know how to take advantage of the " runway" to take off. And to fly high, the wings still have to be trained every day.
