Stage 1 of SEA V.Cup 2026 closed with the runner-up position of the Vietnamese women's volleyball team. That result reflects the true situation of the tournament when Vietnam is still superior to the Philippines and Indonesia, but has not been able to create a real competition with Thailand in the decisive match. Although the level gap is no longer as large as in previous years, the performance of coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet's team still reveals limitations that need to be overcome if they want to conquer larger tournaments.
First, the instability in the first step. In modern volleyball, the first step is not simply a clearance kick but also the foundation for deploying the entire tactical system. When the first step is of quality, the setter can proactively distribute the ball, take advantage of the speed of the middle blocker and create many different attacking options. Conversely, as soon as the first ball deviates from a favorable position, all tactical intentions are almost broken.
In stage 1, this weakness was not clearly revealed when the Vietnamese team met the Philippines or Indonesia. However, against a team with good pressure kicks like Thailand, that limitation was immediately exploited. Inaccurate first passes caused the attacking system to lose flexibility, forcing the setter to prioritize sending the ball to the two wings instead of deploying quick attacks in the center. When the attack direction became predictable, the opponent's block also had more time to read the situation and organize defense. This is not a new issue for Vietnam but has not been completely resolved.
In addition to step one, the defense system will reflect the team's ability to maintain the game. One of the biggest differences between Vietnam and Thailand at the present time is not the number of stars, but the collective defense ability. The Vietnamese team still has impressive saves, but the connection between the defense and the rear line is not really synchronized.
There were many situations where blocks touched hands but there was no cover behind, or after saving the ball, the team could not organize a counter-attack sharp enough to convert it into points. Meanwhile, Thailand always maintained a very high defensive strength, ready to extend the ball, patiently neutralizing the opponent's attacks before launching a decisive counter-attack. It was this persistence that caused the Vietnamese team to fall into a state of impatience and make mistakes many times.
Notably, defense is not just a story of liberos or blockers. It is the coordination of all six players on the field, from how to read situations, move the cover to the ability to switch from defense to attack. To narrow the gap with Thailand, the Vietnamese team needs to improve the quality of defense as a system, instead of just relying on the miraculous saves of each individual.
Besides professional factors, competitive bravery is also a problem that leaves many worries after stage 1 of SEA V.Cup. A team may lose professionally, but should not lose the game too quickly when under pressure. In matches at the tournament, especially against Thailand, the Vietnamese team had a time when they did not start badly, but every time the opponent created a continuous scoring streak, the confidence of the players seemed to decrease significantly. The handling became indecisive, the attacking rhythm was hastily accelerated, leading to unforced errors or inaccurate coordination.
Courage is not a factor that can be improved in a few training sessions, but is formed from the process of accumulating top-level competition experience, the ability to maintain composure when being led, and daring to implement prepared plans instead of being impatient. This is also what Thailand is doing better than the Vietnamese team in recent years.
Stage 1 of SEA V.Cup 2026 not only brings professional results, but is also a test for the coaching staff to see clearly the points that need to be improved. From improving the quality of step one, perfecting the defense system to building competitive bravery, these are all problems that cannot be solved in a day or two.
However, if there are early appropriate adjustments before stage 2 of the SEA V.Cup and upcoming international tournaments, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team has every reason to expect a more positive appearance.
