Women's volleyball faces challenges

For many days now, the incident of the Vietnam U21 women's team being penalized by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and having their U21 World Cup group stage results erased for using ineligible players has made fans more worried and anxious.

Controversy over identity

Hardly anyone would feel secure if they linked the case of striker Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen - who has repeatedly caused controversy in the region about her identity - with the proposal of host Thailand to conduct a gender test (Bich Tuyen) at this World Championship.

The concern was well-founded because just one day before the Vietnamese team went to Thailand to participate in the tournament, on the morning of August 19, Bich Tuyen herself proposed to withdraw from the tour due to family reasons. Respecting the player's decision, the team's coaching board presented their opinion to the Vietnam Volleyball Federation (VFV) and quickly received approval.

Women's volleyball faces challenges - Photo 1.

The women's volleyball team faces a "difficult" personnel problem when participating in the world tournament for the first time. Photo: SAVA

With too little time and perhaps considering that there were not many suitable personnel left, the team's coaching board headed by coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet decided not to add anyone. He also brought all 13 remaining players to the world tournament despite being predicted to face many difficulties.

Participating for the first time in the Volleyball World Championship, taking place from August 22 to September 7 in Thailand, the Vietnamese women's team was placed in Group G with extremely strong opponents including Poland (ranked 3rd in the world), Germany (ranked 11th) and Kenya (ranked 23rd). Kenya had defeated the Vietnamese team in a friendly match 2 years ago in France, so it is clear that coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet's team has little hope of going far in this tournament.

Looking for someone to "share the fire" with

The strength cannot be compared to the opponents, with the loss of the main striker Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen this time, the Vietnamese team will have difficulty finding a win. Over the past 2 years, the series of achievements of the Vietnamese women's team has had a great mark from the player born in 2000 from Vinh Long . Thanh Thuy has shown signs of decline due to injury while other hopes such as Kieu Trinh, Nhu Quynh, Nguyen Thi Phuong or Tu Linh are not strong enough (strength, competitive mindset) to replace her.

Although it was determined early on not to put too much emphasis on performance targets in the first time participating in the world arena, the Vietnamese team still should not accept too heavy losses, which would significantly affect the entire preparation process for "winning gold" at the 33rd SEA Games later this year. To do this, the Vietnamese team's coaching staff needs to find someone to "share the fire", shoulder the responsibility of scoring points with captain Thanh Thuy, Kieu Trinh, and Nhu Quynh.

It is difficult to expect from the U21 team, and certainly not to miss out on human resources from domestic teams. The coaching board of the women's team will have to "cut their coat according to their cloth", screen the squad and at the same time expect the efforts of each remaining player with the belief that "they must complete the task on behalf of Bich Tuyen".

Competing wholeheartedly and with the highest effort, the team is expected to not disappoint the fans who have always followed and supported the team's journey as they have throughout the past time.

Women's volleyball faces challenges - Photo 2.