The Vietnamese men's volleyball team defeated host Indonesia with a score of 3-1 in the semi-finals of leg 2 of SEA V.Cup 2026.
After losing the first set 22-25, coach Federico Rampazzo's team won 3 consecutive sets with scores of 25-22, 25-19 and 25-18, thereby winning the right to enter the final against Thailand.
This victory helped Vietnam avenge the 0-3 defeat to Indonesia in the first leg semi-finals. Compared to the confrontation a week ago, Vietnam showed progress in the way of organizing the playing style, defense ability and competitive mentality.
Diverse attack, persistent defense
In the first set, Vietnam encountered many difficulties against the attack of Farhan Halim and Boy Arnez. Despite trying to equalize the score 21-21, coach Federico Rampazzo's students did not take advantage of the situations at the end of the set and let Indonesia win 25-22.
In set 2, Vietnam began to make a difference with targeted serves. Pressure from the baseline made Indonesia's first move no longer maintain stability. Therefore, the home team's setters had difficulty in organizing quick attacks and often had to put the ball on the wing.
This is a condition for Vietnam's block to be effective. Tran Duy Tuyen and Truong The Khai read the pass direction well, proactively closing the attacking angle of Indonesian strikers. Not every block brings direct points, but touching the ball on the net helps the latter have more defensive opportunities.
Vietnam's defense ability was also significantly improved. The players persistently pursued long balls, saved many difficult situations and switched to counter-attack. When Indonesia could not finish the situation from the first attack, their accuracy gradually decreased.
In attack, Vietnam no longer relies too much on Ngoc Thuan. Passer Van Duy proactively distributes the ball to many positions, from quick attacks in the middle of the net to attacking situations on both wings. This deployment makes it difficult for the Indonesian block to determine the ball direction.
Dinh Van Phuong and Duong Van Tien are the factors that make the difference. Both hitters played confidently, handling flexibly with cross-court shots, along the line and exploiting blocks. In the context of Indonesia focusing on closely following Ngoc Thuan, the effectiveness of Van Tien and Van Phuong helped Vietnam maintain pressure on the wing.
Maintain stability throughout the match
A noteworthy point is that coach Federico Rampazzo did not make too many changes in the squad and playing position. The players were kept in their familiar roles, helping the system maintain stability and limit periods of disconnect.
This brings clear efficiency. Vietnam maintains the ability to attack quickly and block in the middle of the net, while still maintaining the attack plan on the flanks 2. The squad operates more smoothly, the players understand the task and coordinate well in both attack and defense.
This is a difference compared to the 2-3 reverse defeat to Thailand in the group stage. Some positional adjustments, including the transfer of Duy Tuyen from middle blocker to opposite hitter, have not been effective. Vietnam's attacking system is unbalanced and strength on the 2nd wing is affected.
Against Indonesia, the coaching staff was more cautious. Even when losing the first set, Vietnam still persisted with the structure they had built instead of rushing to shuffle the squad. The players gradually regained their rhythm of play, controlled the game and won 3 sets in a row.
The fighting spirit is also a bright spot of the Vietnamese team. After taking a 2-1 lead, the team did not repeat the mismatch that once appeared against Thailand. Ngoc Thuan and his teammates continued to maintain pressure in set 4, creating a safe gap before closing the match with a 25-18 victory.
Pressure serving, directional blocking, persistent defense and diverse ball distribution are the factors that made the victory of the Vietnamese team. More importantly, the team maintained stability in personnel, tactics and psychology throughout the four sets to win the right to the final.
The Vietnamese men's volleyball team will face Thailand in the final of leg 2 of SEA V.Cup 2026.
