Coach assesses the opponents of the Vietnamese women's volleyball team at SEA V.League 2024

On July 28, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team returned home after their journey at the international friendly tournament Future Stars 2024 in Shanghai (China). In the recent tournament, Bích Tuyền and her teammates finished in 5th place overall.

Speaking with Lao Động, coach Nguyễn Tuấn Kiệt evaluated the performance of his players.

"The Vietnamese women's volleyball team did not bring the strongest lineup to participate in the Future Stars 2024 tournament. Missing 1-2 key positions led to results that were not as expected.

However, the team's goal in the tournament was for the players to gain experience, especially giving young athletes - faces like U20 players Đặng Thị Hồng, Phạm Quỳnh Hương, and Nguyễn Vân Hà - the opportunity to play. Therefore, the coaching staff did not place heavy emphasis on achievements.

Basically, the three young U20 athletes have made progress. In their first time playing for the national team, I assess that their performance met about 60-70% of the professional requirements set by the coaching staff.

Meanwhile, Nguyễn Thị Bích Tuyền has shown significant improvement in integrating with the team's playing style. This still needs more time. Besides attacking, this player is also actively participating in defense with her teammates," coach Nguyễn Tuấn Kiệt said.

Immediately after returning home, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team moved to Vĩnh Phúc to prepare for the first leg of the Southeast Asian Championship SEA V.League, which will take place in this locality from August 2 to August 4.

Mr. Nguyễn Tuấn Kiệt assessed that after the tournaments from the beginning of 2024, especially the three tournaments AVC Challenge Cup 2024, FIVB Challenger Cup 2024, and the recent friendly tournament, Vietnamese players need to continue improving their skills. If they want to achieve good results at the SEA V.League, each individual needs to put in their best effort.

"At the Future Stars 2024 tournament, some positions in the team showed poor game sense, even losing touch with the ball when on the field, especially the substitute players. This needs to be improved in the near future.

To achieve good results at the SEA V.League, players need to be very well prepared in terms of mindset, spirit, and health. The athletes did not lose much energy in the recent international friendly tournament. Athletes like Lâm Oanh, Kiều Trinh, and Phạm Thị Hiền will return. Hopefully, they will be in the best condition.

Regarding the first step, since 2023, Vietnamese players have made significant progress. On the national team, the best-rated players will be integrated into the playing lineup.

We cannot expect Vietnamese players to handle the first step as skillfully and well as Japanese athletes. The most important thing is how to make each athlete bring out their best," emphasized the coach born in 1976.

Evaluating the opponents, Mr. Nguyễn Tuấn Kiệt said: "Indonesia and the Philippines have been very bold in experimenting with their lineup, allowing young athletes to compete since last year to prepare for the next generation. Indonesia brings the strongest lineup, making this year's tournament very unpredictable.

Meanwhile, Thailand also brings their best players. After not achieving good results at the Nations League (VNL) 2024, they aim for the highest goals in the two legs of the SEA V.League 2024. I think it will be very difficult for Vietnam to surpass Thailand."

The head coach of the Vietnamese women's volleyball team shared that the team's goal is to strive to compete in each match and achieve the highest results.