The journey of the two Vietnamese athletes began smoothly in Group B. Truong Giang and Anh Khoa respectively defeated opponents from India and South Korea with the same score of 2-0. Among them, the Indian pair has Gonsalves Declan Marshall and Beg Mohamed Anas Imran who won a world bronze medal in 2024.
Notably, the playing style of the Vietnamese pair is relatively even coordination. Truong Giang often creates pressure with quick shots, while Anh Khoa maintains his ability to handle and bring the ball back to stability. When there is an opportunity, both actively speed up in decisive balls instead of prolonging attacking situations.
After toping the group, Truong Giang and Anh Khoa will meet the Lebanese pair in the quarterfinals. Against a higher-rated opponent, Vietnam lost 0-2 and had to enter the relegation bracket. This is a second chance for them to continue the medal race.
The draw brought Vietnam to meet South Korea again. The match was more tense than the confrontation in the group stage. Vietnam won 12-7 in the first set but let the opponent equalize 12-11 in the second set. In the decisive set, Truong Giang and Anh Khoa maintained their focus, winning 12-9 to end the match with a score of 2-1.
Truong Giang had to play up to 8 matches on September 17. Therefore, physical fitness became a problem before the medal match. However, being present in this match helped teqball Vietnam stand before the opportunity to win a medal right in the first time this sport participated in ASIAD.
The bronze medal match is scheduled to take place on September 20 at Nagoya City Higashi Sports Center.
Teqball was created in Hungary in 2014, combining elements of football, table tennis and sepak takraw. Athletes compete on a special curved table, using legs, head, chest and knees to control the ball, instead of using hands or arms.
This sport has two contents, singles and doubles. In each attacking turn, one side can touch the ball a maximum of 3 times before passing the ball to the opponent's court. The set ends when one side reaches 12 points.
Curved tables cause the ball to bounce up in a trajectory different from regular table tennis, requiring players to have good ball control and judgment.
Teqball has now been developed in more than 150 countries and territories. This sport is also used in training activities of many players and professional football clubs thanks to high requirements for ball handling skills.
This sport is also included for the first time in the official SEA Games competition program at the 2025 Games in Thailand.
At ASIAD 20, Teqball Vietnam also has Nguyen Hoang Minh Tan and Trinh Gia Nghi competing in the mixed doubles event.
