Overcoming very strong opponents Kuanysh VC and Nakhon Ratchasima in the semi-finals, LPB Ninh Binh and NEC Red Rockets will meet in the final match to compete for the championship of the 2024 Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship.
Previously, in the group stage, the two teams met in the opening match. At that time, the Vietnamese representative lost 0-3 (15-25, 21-25, 18-25) to the team from the land of the rising sun.
At that time, coach Thai Thanh Tung's students could not show much against the overwhelming strength of NEC Red Rockets.
Specifically, in set 1, Bich Tuyen mainly played in the back row, her smashes behind the 3m line did not cause too much difficulty for the opponent and she only scored 5 points in this set.
In sets 2 and 3, Bich Tuyen brought into play her strengths. The 2000-born setter scored 8 and 11 points respectively to become the player with the most points in the match with 24 points.
However, this is still not Bich Tuyen's best scoring performance. LPB Ninh Binh's passiveness in the face of the opponent's playing style is also part of the reason why the team has not played effectively. In addition to the Vietnamese players, a few other individuals such as Le Thanh Thuy and Dinh Thi Thuy have not had good performances.
However, in the following matches, LPB Ninh Binh gradually caught up with the intensity of the competition and performed better against opponents Monolith Sky Risers, Saipa (group stage); Duc Giang Lao Cai Chemicals (quarter-finals) and Kuanysh VC (semi-finals), when the matches all ended with a score difference of 3-0 or 3-1.
Among them, Bich Tuyen played effectively, scoring the most points in each match, thereby becoming the player with the most points up to this point.
In addition, Warisara - a Thai foreign player also played effectively with "hammer-like" smashes, greatly supporting her teammate Bich Tuyen. Nguyen Thi Trinh, Dinh Thi Thuy, and Le Thanh Thuy also gradually proved their roles and stable performance through each match.
Entering the final match, LPB Ninh Binh needs to maintain confidence and excitement, because the opponent NEC Red Rockets is very strong and in good form.
NEC Red Rockets are the current champions of Japan's highest volleyball league. Their squad includes notable players such as Ajcharaporn Kongyot (Thailand), Yukiko Wada (Japan)...
If Ajcharaporn is no longer a stranger to Vietnamese women's volleyball, having just competed in the SEA V.League 2024, Wada is one of the strongest passers in Asia. She has good attacking power and is the main scorer of the home team, promising to be Bich Tuyen's "arch-rival".
Journalist Nguyen Luu once shared: "LPB Ninh Binh's playing style still revolves around Bich Tuyen and 2 middle blockers Le Thanh Thuy and Nguyen Thi Trinh. Besides, the main striker Dinh Thi Thuy is also ready to surprise with wrist turns, flexibly playing from number 4 to number 1.
However, they need to pay attention and improve their setter and libero. To compare LPB Ninh Binh and NEC Red Rockets, the team with better setters will have more opportunities. Because when the setters are good, attackers like Bich Tuyen or Wada can fully demonstrate their strength."
The match between LPB Ninh Binh club and NEC Red Rockets will take place at 4:00 p.m. today (September 29).
