The semi-finals of the 2024 National Volleyball Championship will take place from tomorrow (November 15). All four teams VTV Binh Dien Long An, Thanh Hoa, Duc Giang Chemicals and LPB Ninh Binh are highly rated, in which the host Duc Giang Chemicals received many expectations after their impressive performance in the second stage.
Previously, at the end of phase 1, this team ranked 5th with 2 wins and 2 losses. The results were not as expected, causing Duc Giang Chemicals to make changes on the coaching bench.
They parted ways with head coach Thai expert Vannachote and signed a contract with Mr. Pham Van Long. This is also the only women's team to change head coach before the season ends.
At that time, talking about the situation after the end of the first round, coach Pham Van Long admitted that his team did not play well.
This has made many people doubt the ability of Duc Giang Chemicals to continue in the second stage when they will face opponents from the Information Corps, LPB Ninh Binh, Hanoi and VietinBank. A relatively heavy schedule, with 2 of their opponents being the top candidates for the championship.
Notably, before entering the tournament in Lao Cai, Tu Linh and her teammates had a poor performance at the 2024 Asian Club Championship in Thailand. However, Duc Giang Chemicals has made an impressive transformation in phase 2, becoming one of the bright names for this year's championship.
They won convincingly against the Information Corps (3-0), LPB Ninh Binh (3-1), Hanoi (3-0) and VietinBank (3-0). Together with VTV Binh Dien Long An and Thanh Hoa, Duc Giang Chemicals became the winning team in the second phase.
This achievement bears the strong professional mark of coach Pham Van Long. Under the guidance of the former captain of Kinh Bac Bac Ninh team, Duc Giang Chemicals' playing style became more cohesive and effective in both defense and attack.
Famous for his strictness but also knowing how to inspire his students, Mr. Long helps his students not only improve in skill but also have a more resilient spirit on the field.
Domestic players such as Tu Linh, Bich Thuy, Ly Thi Luyen... are still the bright spots in this team's lineup. These players show their improvement over 2 months ago at the Asian Club Volleyball Championship in Thailand, becoming dangerous explosives for Duc Giang Chemicals' attack.
Thanh Lien's return also helps solve the problem of the libero position in this team. At the same time, setter Nguyen Thi Thuy also shows good tactical vision, often having quick and surprising situations.
In particular, after replacing Elena Samoilenko, foreign player Chepchumba showed that he integrated very quickly. The Kenyan hitter was flexible in both defense and attack. The African's counter-hits were very flexible and graceful. Not stopping at using strength, Chepchumba showed his cleverness when dropping the ball, hitting the ball loosely, and making very effective corrections.
"Duc Giang Chemicals has participated in the Asian Women's Club Championship. Competing with international teams helps improve the level and mentality of the athletes, getting better after each match.
As for Chepchumba, this player played very well and effectively. However, this hitter also has a weakness of not being skillful in receiving the ball. We also tried to discuss this issue during practice and try to improve it in the upcoming matches," coach Pham Van Long shared after Duc Giang Chemicals entered the semi-finals of the 2024 National Championship.
In the semi-finals, Tu Linh and her teammates will meet the "dark horse" of the tournament, Long Son Thanh Hoa Cement. Coach Pham Van Long needs to make careful calculations for the team because their opponents have shown their strength that cannot be underestimated in both stages.
With the support of the home crowd, Duc Giang Chemicals is certainly very confident, looking forward to the upcoming match to realize the goal of having a high ranking in this year's tournament.
