Vietnam secured a 3-1 victory over Taiwan on Friday to finish at the top of Group C in the first group stage of the 2023 Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship in Thailand.

World No. 44 Vietnam overcame strong challenge from Taiwan, ranked 51st globally, in dramatic four-setter 25-18, 25-22, 18-25, 25-17.

Vietnam won the first two sets but faced a setback in the third set. 

However, they quickly pull the team back together to take the lead and win the fourth set.

Skipper Tran Thi Thanh Thuy was the most productive player for Vietnam after scoring a match-high 24 points including 21 attacks from 50 attempts, while Wu Fang Yu delivered 15 points on Taiwan’s loss.

Vietnam bagged eight points from three wins in succession to dominate Group C, while world No. 35 South Korea finished second with six points from two wins against one loss. 

Taiwan completed their first-round campaign in third place with four points from one win against two losses, while Uzbekistan, which have yet won a set from their respective opponents, finished fourth.

Therefore, Vietnam and South Korea are advancing to the second group stage alongside the top two teams from Group A, Thailand and Australia. 

Vietnamese players celebrate a point during their Group C match against Taiwan at the 2023 Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship in Thailand, September 1, 2023. Photo: BCVN

In this upcoming stage, Vietnam will not face South Korea again, but they will still enjoy two points, considering their previous stage victory as per the regulations.

The second group stage will be held on Sunday and Monday, where teams will fight for slots in the semifinals.

In the other bracket, Japan, India, China, and Kazakhstan will compete against each other for slots in the semifinal round.

The 2023 Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship takes place in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand through September 6. Fourteen participating teams are competing in four groups.

The tournament’s top three teams will earn a spot in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship.

In the event’s 20 previous editions, China has claimed the highest number of titles, totaling 13, while Japan has won five and Thailand has clinched two. 

The 2021 edition was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Vietnam’s most notable achievement was a fifth place in both 2015 and 2017.

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