Indonesia, 26 July 2026 – Vietnam men’s national volleyball team etched their names into the history books by capturing the SEA V.League 2026 Leg 2 championship, defeating regional rivals Thailand 3-2 in a dramatic final held in Indonesia. The victory marks the first time Vietnam have won a leg of the Southeast Asian men’s volleyball tournament and also secures their place at the 2027 AVC Cup.
Head coach Federico Rampazzo made a bold decision by naming 20-year-old outside hitter Tang Ngoc Hieu in the starting lineup alongside experienced teammates Nguyen Ngoc Thuan, Dinh Van Phuong, Truong The Khai, Tran Duy Tuyen, and Dinh Van Duy for the highly anticipated clash.
Vietnam opened the match confidently despite facing one of their fiercest regional rivals. Nguyen Ngoc Thuan scored two consecutive points to level the score at 2-2, but early nerves from youngsters Tang Ngoc Hieu and Dinh Van Phuong allowed Thailand to build momentum. As the set progressed, Vietnam settled into the contest, with Dinh Van Phuong finding his rhythm to ease the attacking burden on Ngoc Thuan. Vietnam fought back to lead 13-12 before extending the advantage to 21-18. However, Thailand demonstrated their experience by rallying from behind, leveling the score at 22-22 before a series of successful blocks helped them claim the opening set 25-22.
The second set proved equally intense. Vietnam started brightly, but Thailand again established a three-point lead at 17-14. Rampazzo’s players responded brilliantly when it mattered most, with Dinh Van Phuong, Tran Duy Tuyen, and Duong Van Tien delivering crucial points during the closing stages. Vietnam edged the set 25-23, leveling the match at one set apiece.
With confidence growing, Vietnam produced their best volleyball of the match in the third set. Led by the outstanding Nguyen Ngoc Thuan, the team dominated both offensively and defensively. Multiple attacking options clicked into gear, while Thailand struggled with unforced errors and ineffective defense. Vietnam comfortably took the set 25-19, moving within one set of the title.
Thailand responded strongly in the fourth set as their star scorer Napadet went head-to-head with Nguyen Ngoc Thuan in an entertaining battle between the tournament’s leading attackers. After Vietnam tied the score at 8-8, Thailand produced a decisive scoring run to build a 14-9 advantage. Recognizing the momentum had shifted, Rampazzo opted to rest Ngoc Thuan and Duong Van Tien, preserving their energy for a possible deciding set. Without two of their primary attackers, Vietnam were unable to recover and lost the fourth set 25-15, sending the final into a winner-takes-all fifth set.
The deciding set showcased Vietnam’s resilience. Nguyen Ngoc Thuan returned to the court and immediately opened the scoring. His attacking brilliance helped Vietnam establish an early lead before Thailand fought back to move ahead 8-7 at the change of ends. At the critical moment, Truong The Khai emerged as the hero, producing a series of outstanding blocks that swung the momentum back in Vietnam’s favor. The decisive defensive plays helped Vietnam surge ahead 13-9 before closing out the set 15-10, sealing a memorable 3-2 victory.
The triumph not only allowed Vietnam to avenge previous defeats against their long-time rivals but also delivered a landmark achievement for the national team. It is the first SEA V.League leg title in the history of Vietnam men’s volleyball, highlighting the remarkable progress made under Italian head coach Federico Rampazzo.
In addition to lifting the trophy, the championship also earned Vietnam qualification for the 2027 AVC Cup, providing another opportunity for the team to compete against Asia’s elite as they continue their rise on the continental stage.
VSN/RPT
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