The Vietnamese women’s sepak takraw team brought home another gold medal for the Southeast Asian country at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China after staging a thrilling comeback to defeat Indonesia 2-1 in the women’s quadrant finals on Wednesday morning.

Vietnam emerged as a strong contender in the sport at the quadrennial tournament, impressing fans with three group stage victories.

They progressed to the semifinals where they shutout China 2-0 to land a spot in the finals against Indonesia, whom they had previously toppled 2-1 in the group stage.

Still, despite prior success, the Vietnamese side got off to a shaky start in the opening game of their finals match, losing 18-21 to their Indonesian rivals.

The Vietnamese women’s sepak takraw team defend in the women’s quadrant final game against Indonesia at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, October 4, 2023. Photo: Duc Khue / Tuoi Tre

They were able to regain their composure in the second game, getting off to a great start with a 7-2 lead. 

That lead was cut, however, when Indonesia went on a streat and brought the score to 15-15. 

Luckily, Vietnam wound up eeking out a 21-18 victory.

In the third game, Indonesia kept pace with Vietnam, trading points until they hit a 7-7 tie.

But fatigue eventually took hold of the Indonesian side and Vietnam was able to begin extending a lead, first at 12-9, then 18-12, and finally 21-14.

Vietnam’s Tran Thi Ngoc Yen delivers an attack against Indonesia in the sepak takraw women’s quadrant final game at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, October 4, 2023. Photo: Duc Khue / Tuoi Tre

The win marked Vietnam’s second gold medal at the 19th Asian Games.

Vietnam sent a 504-member delegation, including 320 athletes, to the 19th Asian Games, which features 40 sports and 481 events.

Their target was to bring home at least two gold medals.

The country held the 17th position in the rankings with two gold medals, three silvers, and 14 bronzes as of 11:30 am on Wednesday.

Host China is leading the medal table with a dominant count of 164 gold medals, 90 silvers, and 46 bronzes, followed by South Korea with 33 gold medals, 48 silvers, and 50 bronzes, and Japan with 32 gold medals, 43 silvers, and 65 bronzes.

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